Say no to visitors. Consider limiting- or declining altogether- visits for the first day or so. Since baby is most sleepy during the first 24 hours, it's best to sleep and rest as much as possible during this time to prepare for the second night.
Night two can bring way more crying that the first 24 hours. The theory is that during the second to third day postpartum, your newborn is discovering they are no longer in the comforts of your womb. They are experiencing many new firsts – the feeling of hunger, cold air across their skin, lights and stimulation etc…
Cluster feeding may last just a couple days or it can last for a few weeks. Only your baby will decide that — it will know when and for how long it needs more milk.
The first night, your newborn will often sleep to recover from their big journey but the second night they might be more awake and alert. After 24 hours, babies have a strong need to be skin-to-skin with their mothers and may want to breastfeed very often.
The truth is, the “second night syndrome” is a name that describes abnormal newborn behavior. Babies can go into a very deep, recovery sleep period after the first 2 hours from birth. This period can range from 8-12 hours after birth and is often a time that babies may not wake up on their own to feed every 2-3 hours.
Second-night dramas. Referred to colloquially as the 'second-night syndrome,' this is the time your baby is thought to recognise how much his life has changed. Their idyllic life in utero has been replaced with one that is bright, noisy and feels altogether different.
On Day 2, your baby wakes up to the world and roots more frequently. On this day, you might feel she's on your breast non-stop, but that's normal. As long as you're not in pain, keep up with these frequent feedings, because they give your baby much-needed colostrum and help speed your transition into mature milk.
It's when your baby wants to feed even more frequently (sometimes constantly) over a period of time. It's very normal and nothing to be concerned about. Your baby may want to cluster feed during the day or night (or a bit of both). Your baby may cluster feed for a few days when they are going through a growth spurt.
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
So yes, you will sleep again. It'll happen slowly over time, but one morning you'll blink your well-rested eyes, your babies will be in their own big-kid beds, and you'll wonder, “Were those sleepless nights really so bad?”
Things such as white noise, having a dark room, a consistent bedtime/nap routine and having age-appropriate awake times are all great ways to encourage your baby to self-settle to sleep. Self-settling means that your baby can happily drift off to sleep independently when all the conditions for sleep are lined up.
If your baby is still awake or sleeping lightly, hold your hand on your baby's chest for a few minutes. Gentle pressure can offer comfort and reassurance for your baby to settle down a bit. Remember, it can take up to 20 minutes to reach deep sleep.
Feeding Baby At Two Weeks Old
Feedings should occur every 2-3 hours and hopefully every 4-5 during the night. Feeding should take about 30 minutes. If bottle feeding, a ballpark amount is 3-4 ounces.
It's normal for babies to kind of zonk out for the first 24-48 hours after they are born. After that initial snooze-fest, however, babies tend to WAKE UP. And at that point, they are hungry! Many parents find that the evening of the second day after birth is a bit of a cluster feeding festival.
'It's really normal for babies to wake lots in the night to feed in the early weeks and months. This is part of newborn behaviour that ensures they get enough milk but also to keep them safe.
Be careful not to feed your baby every time she cries. Some babies cry because of a bloated stomach from overfeeding. Let your baby decide when she's had enough milk. (For example, she turns her head away.)
However, many babies tend to get "easier" around 3 to 4 months old. Around this age, infants may begin to sleep longer stretches and feed on a more predictable schedule. You may also start to adjust to your new set of responsibilities as a parent. This being said, every baby is different, as is every family.
Usually by week 10, babies are less fussy, start going to bed earlier, and become more peaceful little creatures. Plan for it. Tell yourself it is coming whether you 'fix it' or not. Know that you can get there…even when it is really hard, tell yourself that you will make it to week 10.
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage.
Some behaviors that may clue you in that your newborn is feeling the effects of Second Night Syndrome are an increase in crying, wakefulness, and feeding frequency. Likely he is tired and wants to sleep, but managing stimulation from his new environment along with hunger is preventing him from the deep sleep he craves.