number of waking hours for newborn

[helle]

My ds was the same. I never remember him having more then two naps during the day as a newborn, and it went down to 1 nap well before he turned 1. He was always awake, sometimes up to six hour stretches. I envy mothers of those sleepy, dopey newborns that just sleep the day away being all cute and stuff *sigh*

[onthefly]

There is an extremely wide range of 'normal'. My DS never slept much at all in the first 3 months. My DD slept heaps in the first month - I thought I was on to a winner then she grew out of it
Sometimes it's just the way they are. Sometimes it's a matter of figuring out those tired cues and getting them settled in time. Somtiems there's something messing with their sleep. It's hard early on as you're finding your feet, but in time you do start to figure it all out. Despite being new to motherhood, you are still the one person who knows your son best.

[rania]

I am with you Helle! I am envious. I talked to another new mum from my classes and she says her DD is sleeping soundly for hours upon hours. Our little DS was not so dear all night last night. He is happy when he is in our arms (I know, I know, we don't want him in that habit), but if he is not in our arms he only takes about 4 mins (in rocker or on play mat etc) to get unsettled.
We tried the letting him cry thing, and he does cry himself to sleep, which we were initially thankful for. However if we let him do this, he wakes about every 5 mins crying again. So he cries himself to sleep in a couple of mins, but then the cycle continues. I would have thought once he got to sleep he would stay that way unless something was waking him. He doesn't seem to have wind (he's a good burper our lad), happy nappy and full as a googey egg on breastmilk and formula top ups.
Community nurse is coming today so hopefully I can ask her also.
I tell you what though, one he does get to sleep my DH and I look at each other and breathe a sigh of relief! Might be just about time to call on his nanna to come stay a night with us and lend a hand.

[Jellybean29]

My DS was same but I never let him cry himself to sleep. I just can't do it.
I ended up getting DS a sleeping bag and co-sleeping. It works great for me but it's not for everyone.

[luna moth]

He is happy when he is in our arms (I know, I know, we don't want him in that habit)

There's nothing wrong with that habit. It works for a reason! He's used to having your warmth next to him, hearing your heartbeat and being all snuggled up, because he spent 9 months that way. Get yourself a sling (I highly recommend the Close carrier) and pop him in there, so you can go about your life - or sit down and rest!

My baby girl spent her first 12 weeks of life sleeping in the carrier or in my arms, and she now very happily goes to sleep in a cot and is sleeping through the night. So don't worry yourself about "habits"

[ellasmummy]

My dd sleeps more now than when she was a newborn lol. She was often awake for 6 hour stretches or longer, these days she sleeps 2 naps a day and 12ish hours at night. All baby led spent a lot of time being held/in carrier/co sleeping until about 12wks. She hates co sleeping now waah! Loves her own cot

[rania]

hmm I will go try work out where to change not receiving PM's.

[Jellybean29]

hmm I will go try work out where to change not receiving PM's.

I think you need maybe a minimum post count before those features open up?