in New single mums / mums struggling/ single mums

I NEED SLEEP

I am in desperate need of ideas or advice here. I am a new single mom of a 2 year old and 3 week old baby. My toddler has never had issues with sleep and sleeps throughout the night consistently. My new born on the other hand has had me up every night all night since brining her home from the hospital. During the day she will sleep restfully for hours in her bassinet or crib no complaints. But as soon as night time rolls around the only way she will sleep is if I hold her. I have tried everything for overnights (even option that arnt deemed safe sleep like a baby swing and boppy pillow). I just can’t keep doing this. I’m up all day with my toddler and up all night with my newborn. I’m consistently going 24 hour stretches with no sleep and it’s making me very depressed and resentful at this point. I am completely unable to enjoy any time with my kids at this point. I need something to change immediately

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Hey, I’m so sorry that you’re having no sleep and I know this probably doesn’t help but it’s totally normal for this at this stage. I guess you were just lucky the first time around. My suggestions are: Swaddling, and putting them down as soon as they’re fed Dimming the lights at night? Can you co sleep? Even if you manage to have little sleeps at night while they’re awake and not crying? Can you look at the wake windows during the day? Again I’m so sorry that this is happening. You might just have to work around it? Can someone have your toddler for an hour or two during the day so you can sleep?

I don’t have a lot of options for help during the day for help with the kids, so I’m lucky to get a 2 hour nap before going another 24 hour stretch. My toddler only naps about an hour during the days now so I have To be up with her all day, but as soon as she’s out for the night the new born is raising hell. I’ve tried swaddling, feeding before bed, I’ve tried bassinet/crib/baby swing/boppy pillow. Literally NOTHING works except me holding her. I cannot keep doing this, I’m going to reach a breaking point very soon if I don’t figure something out

Hi lovely, keep holding on. I know how tough it can be but you'll get through it My advice to you is if you are a light sleeper and can easily hear or feel your baby. Also if you know yourself and know you will not roll over on your baby. Maybe try co sleeping as that helped me a lot up until this day. It's tough having to constantly leave the bed to pick baby up and settle them back to sleep Also try swaddling your baby as may help them feel like they are being held. Also could try a next to me crib You are doing great. Keep holding on

Where do you live if you don't mind me asking? Maybe speak to your health centre and ask for help, see if they can send someone to sit with your babies during the day while you get sleep Or a friend/family member It's okay to ask for help

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