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ACTIVITY => E.A.S.Y. Forum => Topic started by: ladymugg on August 05, 2016, 04:32:15 am

Title: Moving from 3 to 4 month EASY - a couple of questions
Post by: ladymugg on August 05, 2016, 04:32:15 am
Hi there

I've been doing EASY since about 3-4 weeks old with my DS, who turned 4 months old today!  He has been a super hungry wee man, so I have had him roughly on a 3 hour EASY (sometimes later, sometimes earlier feeds).  He is a great day sleeper, but wakes twice in the night for feeding (+ a dream feed).

Anyway I am in the process of moving him from a 3 hour EASY to more of a 3.5 hour EASY, hoping that by the time he is 5 months he will be on the 4 hour.  I'm not pushing it that hard because he has always been so hungry and he is struggling to last on these feed stretch outs I have started in the last 2-3 days (but I know we will get there).  For instance all morning I did 3.5 hours for two feeds (which to be honest was pushing his E time closer to his S time, but wasn't fed to sleep).  He woke up ravenous 2 hours after his last feed so I fed him and he drained a full bottle.  But now waiting another 3.5 hours to the next feed.

My question is - do you think I'm approaching this the right way?  I was starting to space out feeds, but am now thinking I need to start counting this from his "wake up for the day" feed at say 6.30 am (which I'm happy as his day wake up time), rather than if he woke at 4.30/5.30am for a feed, and then space out the feeds from there.  Then I can kind of move into a more predictable day routine in terms of timing eg: E at 6.30 am; 10 am; 1.30 pm; 5 pm then bedtime top up (followed by current DF at 9.45 pm, W/U for a feed around 2 am and then another at 5 am ish).  Then should be easy to get to 4 hour EASY when we get to that point.

The eventual goal is this:
Get EASY on track to 4 hours - consuming most of calories during the day
Start PU/PD once that is nailed for removing that 2 am feed which I think is a combo of hunger and habit to be fair.  I read all of Tracy's reasonings about habit waking and I don't disagree with them at all, but this kid easily drinks 45oz a day.
Start solids between 4-6 months (when initial sign of interest starts) to help supplement that hunger and further get the day/night feeding balance right.

This is my second baby and second time at EASY so just trying to refresh myself on this critical 4/5 month mark given we have been doing EASY but in a pretty newborn-sensitive kind of way until now (if that makes sense).

:D

A side note, today I moved to size 4 Avent teats from 3 to try to get that extra formula in one sitting, it seemed to work so fingers crossed it continues that way!
Title: Re: Moving from 3 to 4 month EASY - a couple of questions
Post by: Lindsay27 on August 05, 2016, 14:09:47 pm
Is he formula fed or are you pumping BM and giving via bottles?  Just a note that if he is consistently draining a bottle then add an ounce, there should always be a little bit left in the bottle so you know he's good an full :)  And yes, talk to your doctor when the time comes about starting solids, as they may recommend that given his intake is on the high end :)

I need to start counting this from his "wake up for the day" feed at say 6.30 am (which I'm happy as his day wake up time), rather than if he woke at 4.30/5.30am for a feed, and then space out the feeds from there.  Then I can kind of move into a more predictable day routine in terms of timing eg: E at 6.30 am; 10 am; 1.30 pm; 5 pm then bedtime top up (followed by current DF at 9.45 pm, W/U for a feed around 2 am and then another at 5 am ish).  Then should be easy to get to 4 hour EASY when we get to that point.
Yes I agree, count his feeds from his "wake up" feed and move forward from there.  Many LOs need a top up before nap when moving towards a 4hr EASY, which is fine.  It can mean things get a little wonky for a bit until you are fully on 4hr EASY but it's ok, the main thing to watch out for is snacking.

Good thinking on increasing the teat size!
Title: Re: Moving from 3 to 4 month EASY - a couple of questions
Post by: ladymugg on August 06, 2016, 00:17:23 am
Thanks Lindsay27!

Woops, yes he is exclusively FF and I when I say he "drains" the bottle there is usually always something left in there, around 1 oz, unless I have completely misread him and he just randomly chops it down until it is all gone!  (Grrr that irritates me too, because if you go and make up another scoop's worth, they never fricken drink it!!!!!)

Thanks, this morning I started his "day" with a feed once he woke at 6.15, well once we had all rolled out of bed after a bit of a Saturday lie-in with all four of us!  So 1 bottle at 6.45 am and then the next at 10.30 am... nearly 4 hours! 

Feeling like the last 2-3 days of stretching is starting to pay off. 

Thanks for the advice on the solids.  I started my daughter on solids at just shy of 5 months on my midwife's recommendation (she was smacking her lips a lot before we started her), so it was a little early but I was comfortable with it.  I do think it is really important to wait to as close to 6 months as possible unless you really get those clear signs.

:D :D :D
Title: Re: Moving from 3 to 4 month EASY - a couple of questions
Post by: Lindsay27 on August 06, 2016, 19:55:58 pm
Sounds like things are moving in the right direction! Hopefully this sets you off on a good path :)