How long should you nurse your infant back to sleep?

Sleep
1

The title asks a question. How long does it take you to feed, change, and tuck your baby back to sleep when they get up in the middle of the night?

This process takes almost an hour per awakening for my two-week-old little one. Getting him to go back to sleep took up the majority of the time.

If there is such a thing as “normal,” I simply want to know what it is. It gives me comfort to know that I am not making mistakes, but with infants so young, that is to be anticipated.

1 Like
2

Taking an hour to feed, change, and resettle a two-week-old baby is completely normal. In fact, this is often considered on the shorter side! Newborn sleep patterns are notoriously irregular, and getting them back to sleep can be challenging.

Remember, you’re doing an amazing job. Every parent goes through this, and it’s a learning process for both you and your baby.

Here are some tips to potentially shorten the process:

  1. Diaper Change: If your baby isn’t soiled, consider skipping the diaper change to avoid overstimulation.
  2. Keep It Low-Key: Try to keep the room as dark and quiet as possible during night feeds to minimize stimulation.
  3. Swaddling: Swaddling can help some babies feel secure and fall asleep more easily.
  4. White Noise: A white noise machine can create a soothing environment and help mask other noises.

Every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Be patient with yourself and your baby, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from your partner or family members if you need it.

2 Likes
3

I remember when my baby was just a few weeks old, nighttime routines felt endless. Each wake-up for feeding, changing, and settling back to sleep could easily stretch to an hour. It often seemed like the hardest part was getting them to settle down again. From my experience, it’s quite normal for this process to take a while at that age. Every baby is different, but the struggle you’re facing is something many new parents go through. It’s comforting to know that this phase, though exhausting, is a common part of early infant care. Hang in there, and remember you’re not alone in this!

1 Like
4

What you’re talking about sounds quite typical, especially if you’re screaming like you’re going to kill her while changing her diaper (like mine did). Newborns are just hard.

At seven months old, a satisfying meal takes her ten to fifteen minutes, and she no longer requires overnight diaper changes. You’ll succeed.

1 Like