Experienced moms - I need help! (long- sorry!!)

So today my DS is one week old and I have no idea what I should be doing at this point. Essentially - I nurse him every 1.5-3 hrs whenever he is hungry and for however long he will nurse. We let him sleep when he sleeps (which is mostly during the day) and when he cries we hold him so he spends very little time sleeping at night or for long stretches.

My question is - should we be taking actions at this point to tailor his behavior? To get him on a schedule? To get him to sleep at night and not during the day? Or, is it too early to be thinking of these things? DH goes back to work next week and I am nervous being able to continue the way things are without him here 24/7. Any of your own ecperiences you could share would be so appreciated!

Also - I have ordered "the happiest baby on the block" dvd and am waiting for it to arrive - any other suggestions as to books/dvds that would be helpful would be great.

TIA soo sooo much

Message edited 9/5/2007 8:03:58 AM.

Re: Experienced moms - I need help! (long- sorry!!)

Right now the baby runs the show. There is no schedule. Babies usually have their days and nights confused for a while - so sleep while the baby sleeps so at least you get some rest.

feed on demand and let the baby sleep when they want. You won't really start seeing more regularity out of the baby for a few months yet.

eta: It gets easier, I promise. Right now just take one day at a time. They change so quickly - what you did today might not be what happens tomorrow.

Message edited 9/5/2007 8:08:01 AM.

Re: Experienced moms - I need help! (long- sorry!!)

Sounds like you're doing exactly what you're supposed to do!

(That DVD is AWESOME ... should help you out a lot for when your baby is fussy).

Re: Experienced moms - I need help! (long- sorry!!)

Re: Experienced moms - I need help! (long- sorry!!)

While this is still fresh in my mind...

Be prepared for some hard days and nights...I felt like the first 8 weeks were an initiation week for us. It's all about learning but unfortunately at the same time you'll be so sleep deprived that it will be hard...but then one day (soon) that little munchkin will coo and smile and it will melt your heart. All those sleepless days will fade fast. And by that time they get into a better sleep habit at night so you will have some relief.

For now...there is no schedule...you are at his mercy. I did find that starting up different habits and routines to distinguish night and day helped a little but really the biggest thing is time. We got into a habit of not talking to DS at night - very quiet. When he woke it was a quick diaper change and feeding - no talking or singing.

Hang in there...and sleep whenever you can!

Re: Experienced moms - I need help! (long- sorry!!)

Thank you ladies...I really appreciate it

This is tougher than I thought! I am sooooooooooooo beyond tired and DH is as well! But we love our little and it is all worth it ofcourse