Need Help with Keeping My Newborn Awake More During the Day

He is to little to set up any kind of a schedule like that yet. His tummy is only the size of his fist so he doesn't hold much. And no matter how much you keep him awake during the day, at this point it isn't going to make him sleep more at night. He will still be hungry and wake, and with the lack of sleep he'll be getting he'll be more fussy too. I'd wait until he's 4 wks before setting up any kind of schedule. Neither of my kids were on good day nap schedules until 3 mos. If your breastfeeding (it doesn't sound like you are), bring him in bed with you during the night. You can nurse him (tummy to tummy), just hook him up and let him nurse while you sleep. If your not nursing (which I think is the case) make him more oz at a time. Don't just make 2 oz make 4 and let him eat until he's full. He will push the bottle away when he's done. Maybe he's just not getting full with what your giving him. Also, when my daughter was born, I use to get a few extra hours sleep in the morning by letting my son watch tv in our room. I'd turn on nick jr or playhouse disney and go back to sleep. He was 3 so it was a little like what your going through. But I'd wait before starting any kind of schedule with a newborn. They just aren't ready and you will drive yourself more crazy in the process.

It must be very hard for you with a 4 1/2 year old daughter, too. I feel for you. Unfortunately, I don't have any great advice, only a similar story. For the first month or so my one son nursed every two hours and the other every three (twin boys). At night whenever one woke up I just nursed them both and put them back to bed at the same time. Things definitely got better at the three month point. I know that doesn't help you right now, but things will get better. If you're feeding your baby formula there's a good chance he'll sleep more than if you're solely nursing. Please don't take that as me advising against nursing! I never gave my boys a bottle and though I was completely exhausted for months it was worth it. My cousin also has twins and had a 2 year old at home when her girls were born. She had a live in family member to help with her older daughter. Since nighttime sleep is probably not going to be a viable option for at least the next few weeks, perhaps you could have someone to come in and help with your older child during the day so you can catch some zzz's with cat naps? It's worth a shot until the nighttime feedings start spacing out...

when my 4 year old was that old i would try and wake her about a half hour before each feeding during the day. about 3-4 hours apart. to wake her i would take her little tooties out her clothing or even sometimes use a cool damp cloth to awake her. then try and keep her simulated for 20 minutes to 1/2 hour before feeding her. i'm sure that some people might read this and think it's a little mean and you should let him sleep. it's not mean because you are slowly awakening him with some tender love to feed him. i did this and she started sleeping through the nite at 2 1/2 months. BUT on the other hand, she was my first. i know it's harder to do with the second but my daughter was 2 1/2 when our son came along but you can try your best. i agree with the other mom, you should start upping the amount that he drinks. i'm sure with a little trial and error and as he get older, it will get easier. good luck and get a lie down when ever you can get it.

This sounds like my story. My first born was very punctual eater, eating every 3 hours. My second born, born this past March, ate every 2 hours at first. He slept between his feedings. Things got better as he got a little older. By the second week of life, he was eating every 1 1/2 hours during the day and 3 hours at night. At 6 weeks old, he slept 6 hours straight at night, but still ate every 1 1/2 hours during the day. Your little one is so new, so I think you need to just give him a little time. He's a boy, and I've been told they like to eat a lot more than girls. As for your other child, I would put on a movie when the baby is asleep so you can try catching some shut eye at that time. Perhaps there is a friend who can come over for an hour or two a couple times a week to help with the kids so you can lay done. When your husband comes home from work, try and see if he'll occupy both kids while you lay down. If all else falls, just remember that this time will soon pass as you drink a coke;)