Breaking point

I just don’t know if I can do this anymore, baby is 5 weeks and doesn’t sleep. I’m lucky if he sleeps for 2 hours in the day but he used to sleep for 2/3 hour stretches at night, however this has now stopped too. We’ve been awake for hours, non stop feeding, won’t settle unless he’s on the boob or me… my partners at work all day every day so it’s all on me and Im just at the point where I feel like I regret ever having him because this life just isn’t sustainable

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This phase will pass, please remember that. Reach out, ask for support from friends and family. You don’t have to do this on your own or suffer in silence. The newborn phase is a real storm but you will come out the other side, you just need to work through it and do what you can to make it as straightforward and positive as possible.

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Firstly I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way, I was there with my little one when she was 2-3 weeks old.

You’re doing a fantastic job even if you don’t feel like it. You have been working hard to keep your little one fed, safe, comforted & loved all while sleep deprived. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, a little fed up etc. because your body is running on little steam but you are not NOT in control. You CAN do this, the fact you have the strength to speak out is enough to show you you can! You’re this little human’s world, their attachment and cries is their way of telling you that you mean so much to them.
Practical points:
This may just be a growth spurt and baby is likely to calm down sooner rather than later. They can get extra clingy, hungry and/fussy during a growth spurt.
When partner is back home, give yourself 20 mins alone. Got for a walk, a drive just go somewhere and breathe, literally big inhales and steady slow exhales.
Remember this is a moment in time, it’ll pass

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I've had a few days recently where I've hit breaking point. Yesterday I had to text my husband and beg him to come back home after 30 minutes at work because I thought I was going to lose it. He thankfully did and took the baby so I could sleep for a few more hours. He reached out to family and my daughter and I ended up spending the day with his aunt which really helped. She did a lot of the heavy lifting with her whilst I did chores and relaxed a bit. I feel so much better now. Ask for help - it's okay!

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Probably not a very popular opinion but….. I understand partner works, but managing this newborn stage is the hardest and most demanding job that I know, not only that it’s the most important an:d precious thing anyone can do to raise a child and you need rest to be able to carry out this very important job too. Appreciate you may feel you need to take on the majority, but can your husband take over a few hours of this to give you a good few hours stint of decent sleep?
This is just a phase and won’t last forever. My baby has just dropped to feeding once a night and is 7 weeks old. When you teach this stage you may feel able to fully take back over again with night feeds. If you need anyone to chat too please feel free to drop me a message ❤️

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Hang in there, you are doing a really wonderful job!!
I have had problems with getting my little one to sleep during the day and have never been able to sleep when the baby sleeps because it just never happens other than overnight.
We had a nightmare couple of days at the start of the week. He is EBF and I have been reluctant to introduce a soother as there seems to be so much conflicting advice. However we were really struggling and so I decided to give it a go. Someone also advised us to swaddle for daytime naps too. So far both have really helped and he managed to sleep for 2 and a half hours which has never happened before. You might already be doing those things but if not it has really helped us turn a corner atm!!

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It's awful when it's like this 😔 but it will get better! What my HV suggested was when my partner gets home I go to sleep for 6hours (6pm-12am) while he sorts LO and then I take the 12am-6am shift so that I could have a 6hour uninterrupted sleep and my husband still get enough sleep for work

It will pass though and as hard as it is, the best days will come soon !! Stay positive and drink plenty xx

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Mine is just over 5 weeks and has suddenly become extra clingy the last two days and is feeding more in the night, so I think it’s a growth spurt. Maybe your little one is having one too? “This too shall pass” - that s what I repeat to myself when it’s hard. Sending strong and positive vibes

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