Why wont my 2 week old sleep??

I am at my wits end.

Zoe is 2 weeks old and it takes me over 4 hours after feeds to get her to go to sleep. She was awake this morning at 7am and I went out like a light at 11am. This is after feeding, changed nappy, winded her, changed nappy, another feed, rocked her in arms... the list goes on. We have been to see the osteopath as she has really bad wind and going back to see him tomorrow. Lucy wasn't this bad as a baby, so this time round it is all new, and we aren't sure of what to do! Have even rung the plunketline and the nurse said that she is screaming as she is overtired, but how do I get her to sleep! It's my 2nd day without DH and starting to feel like a failure

Lisha you are definitely NOT a failure. You are a tired Mum with a baby and a toddler who just wants to sit down for 5 mins peace!

I had real problems with Charlotte as a baby. She just didn't seem to sleep, I realise now that I was missing her tired signs so by the time she went down she was so over tired she wouldn't sleep. I took her to the Plunket family centre at 7 weeks old as I was at my wits end. Was the best thing I ever did. They taught me a technique to help her learn to go to sleep on her own. If things don't get better maybe it is worth going to see them??

I don't know everything you are trying etc so don't want to offend you by telling you what to do but maybe try wrapping her and putting her down even before you think she is tired?? I am guessing the wind issue is not helping Zoe either.

I am no expert but want you to know that there are heaps of people here to support you and some will have better advice than me. I will be in your shoes in around 4 weeks time so hopefully you will be able to give me advice when I am having same probs!!!

Thinking of you and big hugs, it will get better!

Awww thanks. Zoe is breastfed, and it is really bad wind. It's just so hard but am sure that we will get there!

I am sure that she is getting the hind milk. We lie down for breastfeeding, and she is normally attached for about 20 mins on one breast. Feeding from one breast at the moment. Have raised her cot, and have even rolled her onto her side, mum suggested this as it releases a wind pocket and that seems to help, another thing we have tried is a dummy but she spits that out, have wrapped her tight like a wonton too. Lets hope the osteopath helps her tomorrow.

I have had a breakthrough! this arvo I got her up at 2pm and fed her, then, winded her after 5 mins at a time, then changed her naps, then put her back dow, wrapped up like a wonton, and she is still asleep.. can't tell you how good that feels

Big hugs. It is tough. Our little one, like yours, was not a sleeper. We tried everything, absoltely everything. We were happy and relaxed she was winded, not overstimulated etc etc etc but she wouldn't sleep during the day. We saw plunket, osteos, doctors, paediatricians, naturopaths, neurological integration specialists....nothing but time helped. She started to do longer, 40min sleeps at about 11 or 12 weeks. Until that point we were lucky to get 2 or 3 20min naps per day.

I don't know what it is with some babies, it's almost like something in their system is bothering them and they can't fully relax.

All I can say is hang in there as you will get there and your baby will be ok. Elle is a FANTASTIC sleeper now and although she is super alert, active and strong willed, she is a very very happy kid.

Yay! Glad to hear you had some success today - I guess its just all trial and error for the first few weeks. Am starting to feel a little nervous now remembering what a newborn is like... Anyway, hope you have an ok night tonight and manage to get a bit more sleep.

Hey Lisha, Just wanted to let you know what worked for Sam cos I had major issues with his sleeping patterns etc for a while when he was really little.
Totally just my opinion and what worked for us - ok.
Wrapping !! Sam used to fight being wrapped or at least thats what I thought but someone told me its a natural instinct for them to resist so once you get past the initial carry on, Sam loved being wrapped and I still wrap him. Helps with the startle reflex and makes them feel lovely and safe.
Osteopath - I took Sam to an osteopath at about 7 weeks and we had our 5th and final visit on Monday and I reckon it has worked lovely for him, he is quite a different sleeper now - ie: a good one !! haa haa
My plunket nurse told me at her 1st visit that Sam was too young to be taught bad habits so I adopted the attitude that I'll do whatever I had to, to get Sam to sleep so while some discourage it, I'd feed to sleep, rock to sleep and I even popped Sam in the car a couple of times !! He doesn't need any of those "props" now so its true that he didn't learn those habits that young.
I've always since birth slept Sam on his side in a sleep wedge, I don't know if that helped with wind or anything but I think it was another "feel safe" environment for him. And he doesn't have a flat head !!

Anyway, just wanted to let you know what worked for us, it may or may not work for you, but just know that you are not a failure in any way, do whatever it takes cos Happy mummy = Happy Bubba.

I've also heard that the Riccarton Family centre are really helpful with Sleep and feeding issues !

Good Luck and big hugs to you.

PS - oopss sorry for such a long post !

Edited by Alisa

How is she getting on? If you get stuck, take a trip to the local Plunket rooms and stay there until you get the hang of things

oh chick big hugs, i remember how that was with haleigh except ours wasnt wind ours was jsut plain hungryness and not able tog et ehr to sleep (we rocked her in a pram for 6months jsut to get some peace).
i have no words of wisdom to help though sorry cause i had to express with boo for 6wks and i was attatched to it 24/7. but what the other ladies have said sounds about right.
james was a windy bub though (except formula fed) i jsut found buping every 5 - 10ml until he was 4wks or so helped, also so did the anti colic bottles.
maybe shes suking in to much air while bfeeding??
we also still swaddle him with babytad on night time and thats always seemed to work with sleep time.
hope little zoe settles soon for ya's def not easy some days with a toddler and a bub