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101st airborne · Feb 12, 2008, 11:14 PM

My daughter is 6 weeks and 4 days old. She has her days and nights mixed up. No matter what I do to try to keep her awake during the day it will not work. What can I do?

ISneezeFunny · Feb 12, 2008, 11:19 PM

As far as "days and nights" being mixed up... you mean that she sleeps a lot during the day and is up all night? Technically, it's not too uncommon in a child who's only a month and a half old. This is common among toddlers between 1 month - 3 months old.

Babies will change their sleep patterns as they grow... what's important is that you should try and sleep when the baby sleeps (if possible). When she's awake, try to be as active as possible with her... sooner or later, her sleep patterns will change to a more normal routine.

passmeby · Feb 12, 2008, 11:30 PM

I had the same problem, I think most babies do this. Really, the best thing you can do is try your best to establish a routine, maybe give her a bath right before bedtime, turn the lights and TV off, and do this consistently from here on out. It may take a while to work, but babies do like routine. She's still so young though, so be patient.

Along with trying the routine, you might as well take advantage of the time she does sleep during the day and sleep along with her.

One other thing you could try is co-sleeping. You must be very careful doing this! If you breastfeed, it'll be very easy. If you bottle feed, keep a thermos of warm formula by the bed so you don't have to go to the kitchen and make a bottle. When she wakes up during the night, quitely make a bottle and keep the lights off, don't make a fuss about it and gently soothe her back to sleep. If you choose to co-sleep, make sure there is minimal bedding and pillows are kept far away so she can't accidentally suffocate. There are special little baby beds made for safer co-sleeping, you could look into that. Also, you may want to sleep in the bed with just you and baby, make dad sleep on the couch until baby might sleep in the crib by herself. Please, if you choose this route, be careful and read up on this subject more. Co-sleeping can be dangerous, esp if you drink alcohol or use any drugs that make you extra sleepy, you may roll onto baby and not realize it.

If you don't want to risk co-sleeping, you can still do the thermos trick, that way it's not a big deal to make a bottle during the night, you can keep the lights off or low and baby won't get too excited and her sleep won't be so interrupted.

Just be patient, it will all work out soon!