about to start EASY on monday - a few questions

[effie]

hi everyone

I'm a newie, mummy to 5 week old Ethan who we adore until the evenings when witching hour begins and we do everything we can to prevent meltdown until he goes to sleep, invariably fed or rocked. I've been told its colic and he is very windy but to be honest I think it's overtiredness so hoping EASY will help us help him settle and sleep better. He's already in his own vague 3hourly structure, so hoping it shouldn't be too tough getting him on EASY.

I've got "baby whisperer solves all your problems" where Tracy talks about how to get your baby into the routine initially so I'm putting aside this week at least to do exactly what she says - she's saying stick to the rigid times just to get him into it then adjust it to what you want, have a couple of questions if anyone can help:

Tracy says feed before bath in the evening - we've always done bath then feed as it seem to make him sleepy (bad mummy!), should I just stick exactly to what she says whilst we're trying to get him into it, then change it back if needs be? Also not sure about feeding before a bath, I've heard it can make them sick? and it then wouldn't be 30mins after his last feed to do his massage...

The strict times are all very well, I don't mind if it takes hours over days to make him nap and sleep on his own, my only concern is over the next few days/weeks if he's hungry before she says, should I just not feed him? Shouldn't be too much of a problem because he tends to be on a 3 hourly routine anyway, but does occasionally want to feed more frequently during the day....also if he looks tired before he's supposed to nap, obviously I shouldn't push him to stay awake cos that's where our problems lie anyway, but that would throw all the timings out surely?

Seems like once he's in the routine it'll be fine to take him out during nap times etc, I'm more than happy to attempt this week at least staying in the house so I can try to sort it....I guess the key thing for us is to make sure he sleeps when he's tired.

Thanks so much in advance

[effie]

oh, and I'm a bit confusd as to what routine exactly I'm supposed to be putting it on - with the cluster feeds or without?!

[* Paula *]

It is not uncommon for a lo to get fussy in the evenings.  A lot of mums call it the whitching hour, but it does get better I promise.

Are you BF or Bottle Feeding?  If you are BF, it is normal for a lo to not be able to go the 3 hours between feeds and some lo's need feeding earlier.

At this age the EASY routine is more about getting your lo used to what is going to happen next, i.e. Eat, small amount of Activity, then Nap.  At about 5 weeks old your lo will probably only be able to handle about 45 minutes to an hours A time before needing to go down for a nap.  Remember A time is all the time that your lo is awake and includes the time he is feeding.

I would definitely introduce a good wind down routine using the 4 S

http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64277.msg477912#msg477912

Follow your lo's cues, as you don't want your lo to get OT.  So if your DS is showing signs of being tired after 40 mins A time then I would start your wind down routine and get him ready for bed.

We used Bath time as part of our wind down routine in the evenings, so would be quick bath (or top and tail if did not have a bath), get dressed, bottle and then bed.  We found with DD having reflux that this worked better for us as she was more comfortable this way.

Again the concept of EASY is that it is a routine and not a strict schedule.  EASY is all about following your lo's cues as long as your lo is following the routine of E A S etc, then he will be fine.

Good luck with starting your routine, keep us posted on how you get on.  We will be with you every step of the way

[effie]

thanks so much for your reply!

he's pretty consistent about being every 3 hours with feeds - though i feel a bit mean waking him after every nap so far today to feed. Am going to make a real effort to really read his cues

Q about bed and bathtime though - we've so far done bath then feed (he's bf) but obviously this makes it more AES, which does mean his nap after the 4:30pm feed will only be a catnap, again waking him early....I guess I'll just see how this first week goes and take it from there....

[* Paula *]

The theory on waking your lo when they are due for a feed is to ensure that your lo is getting more calories during the day which in turn will start to elimate the night wakings.

Yes, the nap after the 4:30 feeds is supposed to be a cat nap, generally only about 45 minutes, which is supposed to tide them over until bed time.

Good luck, keep us posted on how you get on.