The arsenic hour
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25096
Printed Date: 10 September 2025 at 6:36pm
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Topic: The arsenic hour
Posted By: Andie
Subject: The arsenic hour
Date Posted: 09 March 2009 at 3:59pm
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Might seem a silly question, but how long does this last for in your house? It's usually from about 4pm, maybe 5 on a good day, to 9ish here. Is this the usual, or do I need to be more strict about trying to get baby to doze off at all for some of that time if possible? Seems when I try to we just get a great deal of screaming, but he is happy hanging out with us instead. If he's happy, I'm happy - just not sure if that's too long to let him stay awake for each night. ------------- Andie |
Replies:
Posted By: palomino
Date Posted: 09 March 2009 at 4:36pm
| iv been having similar thing from 8-10.30. he doesnt have any tired signs and is quite happy being awake. but part of me thinks he should be asleep but its almost impossible to get him to sleep then if i try, even after bath etc. so interested to hear what is 'recomended' |
Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 09 March 2009 at 5:24pm
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From about 3pm til bedtime (between 6 and 7) and I call it arsenic 'hour' because he often shows tired signs but WILL NOT go down for a nap. He doesn't cry too much but gets bored of stuff very quickly and needs lots of attention.
I wouldn't call it arsenic hour if your baby doesn't have any tired signs and is happy to be awake. Sounds good to me! Don't fret over what should be. If baby is happy, relax. ------------- 
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Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 09 March 2009 at 8:16pm
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Ah, I shouldn't have quite said he's happy about it... he's happy if he's up, feeding on and off and being entertained/cuddled. I'm not worried that he does it since they all do, but I've heard some really varied things about how long they're up for at the time - a friend's babies literally were like that for just the one hour each day, which got me wondering if that's the done thing for some kids! ------------- Andie |
Posted By: gypsynita
Date Posted: 10 March 2009 at 8:29am
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Ours starts about 4.30pm and we're the same as JessDub in that he's obviously exhausted but refuses to go down for a nap. Can last up to about 10.30pm... ------------- Anita Mum to Cian (Aug 08), Josh (Jun 10) http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 10 March 2009 at 11:17am
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Mine was 4pm til 8.30pm....he went down at 7.30pm last night but not really sure how long he was up for as we had him out in the car & buggy from 4.30pm & I know he slept some of that time. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: busyissy
Date Posted: 10 March 2009 at 7:34pm
| Does he sleep well once he goes down? If so perhaps he is needing to cluster feed to get enough in his belly to go through the night? |
Posted By: Andie
Date Posted: 10 March 2009 at 8:28pm
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He's definantly cluster-feeding, but doesn't sleep through the night. He's 7 wks old and wakes once for a night feed, which I think is pretty good though, no complaints about that.
Sounds like the arsenic hour lasts about as long for us as it does for lots of people (maybe I'll just dismiss my friend's complaints that her kids were that ratty for a "whole" hour each day! Ha ha). Sweet... at least I don't need to be concerned about it then  ------------- Andie |
Posted By: kiwisj
Date Posted: 11 March 2009 at 12:29am
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Our "arsenic hour" is right now - Callum has been awake since 3pm and it's almost 7.30pm now. He's had his usual feeds in that time plus an extra bottle top up because I couldn't think of anything else! Some nights he will be awake till about 9pm but that's normally after a nap till at least 4.30pm. He's shown definite tired signs since 4pm, wouldn't go down for a nap. Started his next feed at 6.30pm but no dice. He's definitely tired and will be calm in my arms but as soon as he's in the cot - hello!
------------- SJ Callum - Dec 2008 Daniel - Oct 2010 |
Posted By: jano1
Date Posted: 11 March 2009 at 1:36pm
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Ours is from about 4-8 and she is only 2 1/2 weeks old. Ava cluster feeds during this time and sometimes I feeld like all she wants to do is feed! Having said that she is more than happy to be awake and held until we bath her and put her in bed. ------------- http://www.thebump.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=UBB&utm_campaign=tickers"> |