Cluster feeding

[ksmorris31]

I started my LO on EASY at 6 weeks as well as cluster feeding. I read somwhere on this forum that cluster feeding should be stopped at 8 weeks. My LO is 8 weeks today. We are having a problem with night wakings and have a post out on that forum. He is on a 3 hour EASY and is bottle fed 4 oz. We do cluster feedings at 5,7 and a DF at 10:00. He is still waking up at 1 and then again at 3 which if we weren't cluster feeding would be about the normal time he should eat. Should I just stop cluster feeding and feed him at 1 and 3 but keep DF??? Since starting cluster feeding he has only slept thu the night (waking up at 3 to feed) for about a week and is now back to waking every three hours. Any advice would help. Thanks

[* Paula *]

It does say in the book to drop the second cluster feed at 8 weeks, however a lot of mums keep this cluster feed as they find that it works for their lo.

I do not think that the cluster feed will be the problem, I am wondering if the DF has anything to do with your lo's constant wakings?  The DF does not always work for every lo and can end up causing more night wakings.

Have you tried a few nights without the DF to see if your lo does any better without it?

Can you post what your routine looks like during the day including A times and naps?

E
A - how long
S - how long and including winddown.

[jana224]

I agree with Paula - DF doesn't work for every baby and cluster feeding can work better.  My daughter was cluster fed every two hours until she was about 3 months old, and we never did DF (except the first week where I tried it, and she started waking up every 2-3 hours in the night as a result).  You have to do what works for you!
Jana

[ksmorris31]

Thank you both for the quick response my routine is as follows:
6:00-6:30-feed
6:30-7:15-wake
7:15-9:00-sleep
9:00-9:30-feed
9:30-10:15-wake
10:15-12:00-sleep
12-12:30-feed
12:30-1:15-wake
1:15-3:00-sleep
3:00-3:30-feed
3:30-4:15-wake
4:15-5:00-sleep
5:00-5:30- cluster feed
5:30-6:30- wake/bath
6:30-7:00- feed
10:00 dream feed
His activity is about 45 mins, sleep including winddown is about two hours. He sleeps right through the dream feed so I thought that meant it was working. I will drop DF tonight if you think it is worth giving a try, but will continue to cluster feed at 5 and 7, is that correct?

[* Paula *]

Looks like your lo is on a fantastic routine through the day and is napping really well.

Even thought your lo is sleeping soundly through the DF, it can still disturb their sleep pattern, and stirr them enough to start causing night wakings.

Your lo will probably still wake in the middle of the night for a feed, but he will be waking cause he is hungry, not cause his sleep pattern is disturbed.  When he wakes for a feed in the middle of the night, keep all contact to the minimum, i.e. no lights, no talking etc, and feed, and put straight back down to sleep.

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