number of waking hours for newborn

[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?

[onthefly]

You'll need more posts and to be around for a bit longer before becoming a 'member' then you can access PMs.

rania - there are no rules. you just do what works for you. regardless of what you do now, your baby will not be doing it forever. It's ok to feed/hold/rock/sing to sleep. It's ok to sleep with them. Give yiourself (and your baby) a break from teh shoulds and should-nots, especially in teh first 3 months. I imagine myself in my old age - I dont' want to look back with regret, wishing I'd held them more. They are little for such a short time.