https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 21:21:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keeping-newborn-awake#post-662273 Fri, 22 Mar 2013 21:53:11 +0000 shopaholic 662273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: The last 2 nights have been better than the ones before. I think she is done with her first growth spurt and also my attempts at keeping her up in the evening are working better. She's been naturally staying awake longer. We have done "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and just generally bouncing her on my lap, looking at her, talking and singing, etc. She doesn't mind laying down on the activity mat for a couple of minutes - better than actually laying on her tummy.<br /> Last night she was up at 4 am to eat, and then wouldn't go to sleep until about 6:30. That was the longest stretch of awake time for the whole night. And luckily she doesn't cry as long as she is held - and when she's smiling at at you all bright-eyed, it's hard to be upset right?<br /> I think it also helped that I've been trying to get in one nap in the afternoon or early evening too when she is sleeping. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keeping-newborn-awake#post-660079 Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:39:19 +0000 MamaCate 660079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: How did it go today?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keeping-newborn-awake#post-656497 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:58:39 +0000 shopaholic 656497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaCate: OK... sounds like I'm doing all that I can. We did go for a walk today too, but she slept for all of it (except when she woke up crying to eat). I'll try the Itsy Bitsy Spider tomorrow! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keeping-newborn-awake#post-656469 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 23:22:22 +0000 MamaCate 656469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like you have covered most of the basics. I remember doing lots of singing and dancing at that age. I think I also remember that getting baby exposed to natural light during the day can help reset their internal clock so maybe a walk tomorrow would be good.</p> <p>I started propping LO on my legs at a very young age and doing itsy bitsy spider up her tummy and head, making up little gestures, and that was usually entertaining. I did the same thing with her arms and wheels on the bus. I know it is sitting but it is more stimulating than just being cuddled.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/keeping-newborn-awake#post-656425 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:39:15 +0000 shopaholic 656425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I keep reading about newborns who have their days &amp; nights mixed up and the need to keep them awake more in the day to slowly switch their schedules.</p> <p>K is only 2 weeks old, but she definitely has the "sleep all day, up all night" thing down pat! It's so hard to try and wake her and then keep her awake in the daytime. I've tried the bath, feeding, tickling toes, diaper changes, etc. </p> <p>So tonight I finally have her awake! Diapers changed. She's been fed and burped. Laid on the activity mat for a few minutes. Hung out in the swing for a bit. Danced around with me. And now what? She just wants to be held and we cant sit or stand still. If I put her in the carrier, she'll just fall asleep. So what to do with a newborn when trying to keep her awake? </p>