HELP! New baby, no sleep!

[LauraS]

Does it get better like I've heard??? My baby is 3 weeks old and seems to be up all night once he awakes. We are not getting any sleep. I am so tired. I try and nap during the day but don't always have luck doing that.
Can anyone give me any tips on night-time sleep? When do babies sleep longer than a couple of hours?

[allisonb]

You'll start sleeping better when he's around 18 and out of the house :) Just kidding. It'll get better, those first few weeks/months are so rough. I remember that when my dd started finally sleeping a little better everybody told me that they'd all been so worried about me for those first few weeks b/c I looked so horrible and exhausted. Gee thanks! I think my dd was around 2 months when she started sleeping a few extra hours, but I must warn you, the chances of you getting a good 8 hours of sleep straight are pretty unlikely for quite a while. My dd is almost 1 and still wakes up 2-3 times a night. She's still b/f too though, so I don't know if that's a factor. If you have a SO/DH or family member/friend who you trust who can take the baby for a few hours and let you get a few hours, do it!

[mangthang]

It will get better! Promise :) Try and take a nap if possible when the baby is napping. They say that most babies don't know whe it is day or night yet so at time make sure it is quiet. Then they will eventually start to sleep longer through the night.

[Willbearsmom]

It does get lots better! I would suggest getting "The Happiest Baby on the Block." It saved me those first months!

[Willbearsmom]

Oh and the reason why is because when you were pregnant the baby received more oxygen while you were sleeping and through that, became more active. So they are used to already being awake at night.

[bluegrassmom]

The first couple of weeks are usually the hardest and seem like they'll never end. Start encouraging good sleep habits in your son and, even though it may seem pointless, introduce a regular bedtime so he can start getting a routine down.

[newdad101]

It gets better, but in the beginning our kid didn't sleep more than 30 minutes to an hour straight. What I did was take here on 2 hour car rides so my wife could get a small nap in. Sometimes our daughter would stay asleep in the car seat for a while. I recommend letting your child sleep in a bouncer or car seat as a lot of kids enjoy sleeping upright at first. I did a lot of research and it won't hurt their posture from what I came up with.

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

I have a 6 week old and for me it has gotten better although she was a decent sleeper to begin with. (sorry). but she can space out between feedings much more now. I definitely recommend trying to sleep during the day while she is asleep. I also liked happiest baby on the block I think swaddling really helps us and healthy sleep habits, happy child. she should be sleeping like 16 hours a day so maybe some strategies to help her would be good for you. good luck!

[LauraS]

Thanks everyone for your replies! My husband and I are now taking "shifts" (even though he has to get up in the a.m. for work). It's helped and he is the best! I heard 6 weeks is when they start getting a little more regulated (but are they really ever?) I'm going to look into that "Happiest Baby on the Block" since a couple of you mention it in your replies.
Thanks again! I'll keep eveyone posted!

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

another book - healthy sleep habits, happy child also says that 6 weeks is a turning point, 6 weeks is the worst and then it gets better from there. i would say that weeks 5-7 have been about the same trajectory for us. i would get that book too btw..