Too many sleep problems for 5 mo old

[x95stocchier]

Hi!  I have posted several different questions on different boards, but I think I need some help looking at the entire picture. We have big sleep issues.  I'm so exhausted I can't think straight about this.  I Don't get any naps for me in, as I'm always in trying to w2s or get ds back to sleep.   DS is 5 mo, and we started BW at 3.5 mo.  I apologize as this is going to be long.
Problems:
1. Short naps. He always wakes at 45 min or less.  So far I'm unsuccessful with w2s, but sometimes can get him back to sleep
2. NW-lots and lots of NW.  I think this actually got worse since BW.   I've been tracking them and they are all over the map timewise.  Typically we have 5 or so. I've been feeding for 2 of those. 
3. Early waking.  About 3 weeks ago he started waking at 4:45 or 5

I think we have a pretty good bedtime routine and a good nap routine.  He falls asleep pertty well, unless he drops the paci.  Then we have to reinsert and he'll drift off.  DS is bf, we were on 4 hr EASY, but this week it has turned into more of a 3 hr (at least the E part)  Not sure if  a gs or what....    We do no solids so far.  I've messed around with A time trying to find that perfect amount, but not making a difference so far.  I really have no idea how much sleep he's getting because of so many NW and nap interruptions.  We use a paci and he's starting to use a lovey (before BW I nursed him to sleep---oops! )

Routine varies because of trying to find the right A time, but something like this:
6:30 wake & eat
7 A
8:45 s (I try to get this nap to 1:30 crib time, but not always successful)
10:30 E
11 A
12:30 S (I try to get this nap to 2 hrs crib time, but not always successful)
2:30 E
4 catnap (he's asking for it this early)
4:40/5 E (cluster)
6 bedtime routine starts with E (cluster) at 6:30 or so massage, song, etc
7 crib--he goes out easily

I've been moving bedtime up to 6:30 this week, hoping it will help.  So far, no difference.  I also added another cluster df at 8:30, hoping it would help w/ nw, but again, no success so far.  I've been feeding at night 2X (in addition to the 8:30 df) at 11 or so, and 3 or so.  being bf, I'm never sure if he's really hungry or not.

What should I do?  Any ideas?  Like I said, I'm too tired to think straight about it. I don't know what I should focus on first....or tackle it all at once.  I appreciate any help you can provide. 

Oh, and when he wakes early and won't go back to sleep (either in morning or nap) how should I readjust the day?  When do we have the next nap? and so on..... THANKS!

[moppiemom]

Hi. I'm sorry i don't have anything helpful for you except to say that we are in EXACTLY the same boat. I hope it at least makes you feel better that you're not the only one  (complete exhaustion included) I will certainly share anything that I discover that ends up helping.
sending sleep vibes to your baby!
Gael

[Jaime]

whew!  that is a handful.... here's my thoughts....

- if you want your day to start at 6:30, you need to treat any other wakings like a night waking.  (i.e. do pu/pd or whatever soothing method you've been using)
- your first A time should be no more than 2 hours.  try & keep it as close to 8:30 as possible... even if your day starts at 6am occasionally...
- since your baby is bf, feeding every 3 hours can still be normal, so just continue to try & separate the eating & sleeping associations
- continue to try & extend the naps

once you really get daytime sleep sorted out, it will help a lot with the night wakings.  you are the best judge, but he probably doesn't need nighttime feedings - at least no more than one anyhow.

HTH a little