Help - 13 week old struggling with S part of EASY

[shell72]

Hi,

Have posted already in sleep forum but wanted more general advice as am really struggling with EASY the last few days. We had a great 3 hour routine a few weeks ago but then it all went pear shaped. Not sure if it was due to LO's cold or the fact that he has started teething. Here is what happened last night and today:

DF: 10.30pm - had a good amount

E 3.30am - had a good amount

Did not really settle after feed - think he had an upset tummy.

E 5.30am - had a little.
S 5.50 - 6.50.

Tried to treat 6.50am as start of day (tried to resettle but did not work)

E 6.50 but not really interested.
A 7.15 - 7.45 (seemed very tired so very low key)
S 8am - 9.30am (had to go in at 40 min mark to help him transition into next cycle).

E 9.30
A 9.50 - 11.10 (had weighing appoinment at 11am so had to keep him awake - kept it low key again as think LO is OT).
S 11.10 - 12.35 - slept in pram while out.

E 12.45 - 1.10pm
A 1.10pm - 2.10pm
S 2.10pm - 2.40pm (think a loud noise startled him awake - tried to settle him with shush/pat but was getting more and more upset).

E 2.40pm - 3pm
A 3pm - 3.30pm (again really low key due to 30 mins S).
S 3.30 - 4pm (not sure why woke this time - LO does not normally have 30 min S - 45 mins but not 30).
Tried to resettle him again but was getting more and more upset (as was mummy at this point).

E 4.20 - 4.30pm
A 4.30 - 5pm (showed tired signs very early
S 5pm - 5.30pm (another 30 min nap).

A from 5.30 - very low key. Bath was at 6.20.
E 6.40pm
S 7pm

Questions:

LO expects to be fed when he wakes up - how do I manage this when he is waking so early and short A tme means Es are as little as 1.5 - 2 hours apart?

If LO wakes after 30 mins what should I do if shush/pat does not work and LO is getting more and more upset?

I think LO is OT - should I do whatever I can to get him caught up? If I go out with him in the pram he sleeps really well. However, a bit wary of using the pram as want LO to be able to settle in his cot.

How long does it take for 13 week old to get caught up on sleep?

Would like LO to have longer A times as they have always been shorter than the book says. He generally is awake an hour including feed time. He is very happy when awake, smiling, gurgling and cooing a lot, very engaged - lots of eye contact. How do I work towards increasing his A times?

Sorry about all the questions but really struggling of late and need advice as close to giving up.

Appreciate any advice/help you can provide. Thanks x

[charmie]

LO expects to be fed when he wakes up - how do I manage this when he is waking so early and short A tme means Es are as little as 1.5 - 2 hours apart?

If he is genuinely hungry feed him, but if not try to distract him with a toy.  If he is breast fed don't put his face near your breasts.

If LO wakes after 30 mins what should I do if shush/pat does not work and LO is getting more and more upset?

If you can't resettle him after 45mins max, take him out, do a short and low key a time, feed and back to sleep.

I think LO is OT - should I do whatever I can to get him caught up? If I go out with him in the pram he sleeps really well. However, a bit wary of using the pram as want LO to be able to settle in his cot.

Yes I would resort to the pram or anything else to get him caught up on his sleep.  it's called APOP (accidental parenting on purpose).  Once he is caught up he might be in need of a longer a time.  At that age los can handle 1.25-1.5hrs.

How long does it take for 13 week old to get caught up on sleep?

It depends on how OT he is.  But you will know when he's out of the cycle.

Would like LO to have longer A times as they have always been shorter than the book says. He generally is awake an hour including feed time. He is very happy when awake, smiling, gurgling and cooing a lot, very engaged - lots of eye contact. How do I work towards increasing his A times?

Los are all different.  The times on the book are just guidelines.  Some bubs can handle longer and others shorter a times.  Extending his a times...it depends a lot on his temperament.  You can try to increase 1 of the a times by 5/10/15 mins depending on how much you thing he is stretchable IYKWIM.  This should get you a longer nap or else uninterrupted.  If nap gets shorter or disturbed, revert immediately to previous a times.  You can keep the extra mins really low key.

Don't give up.  The issues won't go away if you give up    Come here for hugs, support and advice anytime you need to.


xxx
charm

[shell72]

Thanks for the answers to my questions  .. Was having a very bad few days - not going to give up though - its not just about me so have to hang in there for LO. Have seen some improvement already. The last few days have only had two 45 minute naps (have had to help him with the transition but we are having more success with that now and this morning I think he woke up and put himself back to sleep. He is still only managing short A times but am focusing on getting his sleep sorted first! Have kept A times very low key and have resorted to the pram at least once or twice a day.

I have found that shielding his eyes when he wakes up after 45 mins seems to help get him back to sleep.. Initally I was convinced we had a textbook baby but in the last couple of weeks LO has turned into a spirited little chap!! He resists sleep, talks non-stop, makes eye contact with everybody, smiles at everyone and has just started turning his head away from the breast - he seems to prefer when we give him a bottle as he can look around more. Really knows what he wants or doesn't want.

Have found this forum very helpful and its great to hear that other people are going through similar experiences.
Thanks xox

[charmie]

I'm glad you have seen some improvement already.  You will see as he grows you will need to find new ways to soothe him etc.  What works one day doesn't work anymore the next, and until you find the new way it takes time, patience and perseverance. 

Let us know how it's going...


xxx
charm