I was wondering if it is normal to stillhave a four week old not sleeping very well during the night.. He is sleeping about 2 to 2.5 hours at a time through the night. I am exhausted, he is waking up hungry because I have tried to sooth him in other ways before feeding him but doesn't work. During the day I have tried to increase his time between feedings(formula) but most days will only eat 2oz every 2to 3 hours. Occassionally he will hold off longer and drink 3to4oz. Any suggestions or is this just my baby and will eventually get better. thanks
Thank you all for your responses, it is reassuring to hear others going through the same thing. I am grateful to hear your stories and now that it will get easier and I will get more sleep.
This is normal. I have a two month old and didn't start sleeping 4-5 hours straight until recently. She would get up from every 1-2 hours or every 45 minutes. It will get better. As a newborn, babies will cry when they're hungry or wet. That's why they get up as early as they do.
It will get better. Just be patient.
I am a mom who practiced CIO and really believes in routine/scheduling BUT... at 4 weeks old I think what you are asking is a bit much to expect. Personally, and this is just me, I couldn't imagine our baby stretching out time in between feedings to more than 3 hours and definitely not sleeping more than 4-6 hours 'through the night' until 12 weeks or later. I remember at that age (4 weeks) we were still waking up every 3 hours to feed him and during the day he barely made it 3 hours in between feedings.
Although I am not a physician, I can only imagine that trying to hold him off or withhold food causes the baby anxiety and stress and could be a factor in his inability to sleep. At that age, the baby's stomach is no bigger than a marble or a ping pong ball.
My son (now 2) has always eaten about every 2 hours. He started sleeping through the night at 9 weeks, and everytime he'd hit a growth spurt, it would be back to middle of the night feedings. He, too, ate small quantities frequently. I was jealous of all my friends who could nurse for 20 minutes every 4 hours. I was 45 minutes every 2, and it was exhausting. If I did try to feed him more, all he got was a tummy ache & spit up everywhere! The light switch was flipped at 9 weeks though, so hang in there!
Yes that is normal. If he needs to eat, feed him. Get the "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" book. It is a great reference on normal and abnormal sleeping and when you can expect longer periods of sleep at night.
