So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

We are trying to keep him awake, but theres not a whole heck of a lot we can do with him, and he gets so tired he will just slump over when we are playing with him - he has slept alllll day and are trying to wake him up so he'll be tired for tonight and sleep a little!

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Honeslty, there's not much you can do. He needs his sleep, and I disagree with the whole "trying to keep the baby awake all day" theory. They really do sleep SO much when they are first born because it helps them grow and all that good stuff. Are you doing it to try to get him to sleep at night? Or just because you want to play with him?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

he isn't a week old. He will sleep like 16-20 hours a day. He will get more lively as the weeks go on. Sleeping through the night or for goos chunks at night could take months. Just go with his flow.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Posted by shamrock124

Posted by prncssrachel

Honeslty, there's not much you can do. He needs his sleep, and I disagree with the whole "trying to keep the baby awake all day" theory. They really do sleep SO much when they are first born because it helps them grow and all that good stuff. Are you doing it to try to get him to sleep at night? Or just because you want to play with him?

I agree. Newborns sleep about 20 hours of the day unless you get a cranky one. As soon as you feel up to it, you can start taking him for walks and taking him outside. The light helps them to adjust. They eventually get in to the whole night and day thing....it just takes a little while.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Liza, the best thing to do, at least what worked for us, some will disagree, is start to make the difference between night and day more apparent. He won't get it now, but he will in a few weeks. So at night, don't turn on the lights to change him and don't talk and cuddle with him. Make it all business. And during the day make sure the blinds are open, the lights are on, you're chit-chatting. It worked like a charm for Ava. I even napped her in the pack n play during the day, and slept her in her crib at night.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Great advice so far. I have nothing to add but just enjoy every moment!

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

every thing that rachel said!!!!!

right now he needs all the sleep he can get.

but i will suggest reading healthy sleep habits, healthy child. i wish someone told me about that book sooner! it will definitely help when he gets a bit older.

i am free on mondays and fridays if you need anything!

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Most newborn babies sleep all day only to have a real wakeful time at night...I was told that was b/c when they are in utero you basically "rock them to sleep" all day long and then its time to tango while you are a sleep...

What I used to do was just try and switch that around as best as I could by..feedings, diaper changes, baths, and play...then at night I kept things very very quite..TV low for late night feeding, no bright lights, just cuddles no play, etc..

whether it worked or not I dont know but my kids were all sleeping through the night at a 6 hour stretch by the time they were about 6 weeks old...

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

I never tried, I feel like they just figure it out. I just hate all these rules that come attached to newborns. I feel like it stresses mom and baby out.
Honestly this baby just came into the world days ago after having 9 months of it's own in your womb sleeping and eating as it pleased. Give it time. Feed him, changed him, massage him, etc but newborn sleep. I mean think how exhausted you are. The baby had to make just as hard of a journey to get out.
OK off my soap box. Good luck! He'll figure it out. Just work on nighttime/settle down routines. He'll adjust.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Liza, RELAX girl!
Give your little guy a chance to get used to being out in the open before worrying about playing with him and stimulating him. He has been through a lot the past 9 (10) months and just wants to sleep... let him!

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Same as everyone else said. Just let him sleep when he wants becasue at that age that is all they do! I don't think you can try to adjust his schedule for a few weeks.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Like PP they are suppose to sleep about 20 hours a day. I wouldn't try to keep him up, he is still to young. What I did and I really think it helped with him not getting days and nights confused. Durning I didn't try to make his room dark or I would put down for a nap in the livingroom in the pack-n-play. At night I used a night light to feed him `and once I said "I love you Luka, sweet dreams" I stopped talking and I still do the same routine a year later. When he wakes in the middle of the night their was no talking either and I only put the night light on.
You will see changes in him as far as how long he will stay up and it will be minimal maybe 10 minutes at a time.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

He is a newborn,,he needs to sleep

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

when Jacob was born, we tried to keep him awake during the day too hoping that he would sleep better at night. He would fall asleep anyway...no matter what we were doing with him. We asked the pediatrician about this and she said that newborns need sleep and not to try to keep him up. Jacob is now 4 months old and he stays up a lot longer during the day and sleeps longer at night

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

I would say you shouldn't keep him awake. If you are trying to teach him day from night, this is what I did and it worked well:

When he gets up at night, do not put on the TV or the lights. Keep them as dim as possible. Also, don't talk to him too much. I used to sing him lullabyes and rock him (some people are against rocking, but I am not). Basically, as little stimulation as possible and dark lighting. THen, in the morning put on ALL of the light and open the blinds. Even for naps.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

You don't. that's when you sleep I agree with all of the AP they learn the difference b/w day and night naturally when they're ready. In the beginning just use the time that they nap to catch up on sleep or eat or shower.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

nothing.
you just have to go with what he wants to do
your baby is too young to be on a schedule.... eventually he'll get into it.
but i would say for the first 2 months of DD life- she basically slept and ate- not a lot of awake time.

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

Re: So how do you keep your newborn awake during the day?

not sure if this was said already-but my dr told me to open all the shades-make it bright in the house-a lot of normal noise- take him outside(when its nice out) wake him for feedings during the day every 3-4 hrs--dont wake him at night though!
Eventually he will realize the difference betw day&night!
hes still so young yet!
Congrats on your new little blessing btw....he is sooo beautiful! Welcome to the other side!