Help! New Mom struggling with E.A.S.Y.!!!!

[eiremk]

Hi,
My son Conor is 2 weeks and 6 days old.  I've been keeping a daily log on him since day 3 and frankly he's all over the place with eating and sleeping.  In the beginning, it seemed to be no problem to have him go 2.5 - 3 hours between feedings.  And he slept an average of 2 to 2.5 hours each time.  I earnestly began a 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 3 hour E.A.S.Y. routine with him 3 days ago and everything seems to have gone downhill since then.  For example, today he has fed every 1.5 hours.  He had a 2.5 hour nap this morning.  Then he skipped an entire nap period.  I put him in his crib to sleep and tried shush/pat - but he wouldn't settle.  He's finally sleeping now - but the schedule is completely off for the day.  Last night, I cluster fed him at 6:00 p.m and 8:00 p.m and then I did a dream feed at 10:30 p.m.  He still woke hungry at 2, 4 and 6 a.m. 

Any suggestions on how to get on track with E.A.S.Y. for my little guy? 
Thanks,
Marie.

[LŠuren]

{{{hugs Marie}}}

Would you mind posting your recent routine or couple of days routine so we can get an overall picture of what going on?
I can see from another post you are breastfeeding your LO. It is normal for a Lo to continue their 'E' cycle day and night when they are this young.   I am not a breastfeeder, but is your LO staying awake on the breast for his feeds?
Lauren

[eiremk]

Lauren,
Thanks so much for replying.  Any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Here are a couple of days of routine from the past week:


Day 1
6:55 E
7:15 A
7:20 S
10:20 E
10:50 A
11:15 E
12:00 S
2:00 E
2:50 A
4:05 S
4:45 E
5:25 A
5:30 S
8:20 E
9:00 A (bath)
9:30 E
10:00 S
11:30 E (Dreamfeed)
2:00 E
2:40 S


Day 2
6:30 E
7:25 A
8:30 S
10:30 E
11:10 A
12:00 S
1:30 E
2:25 A
2:40 S
4:30 E
5:15 A  (no sleep)
6:00 E
6:30 S
8:40 E
9:05 A (bath)
9:30 S
11:15 (dream feed)
2:05 E
3:00 S
5:15 E
6:00 S

Again, much thanks.
Marie. 

[HeatherC]

I think what you are experiencing is pretty typical for his age.  One thing I would consider would be to try and do his last feed around 7-8 and then put him to bed.  Could you do his bath earlier than 9?  This might be stimulating him.  Also, try to do the df before 11 pm, closer to 10 if you can.  Too late and it could disrupt his night sleep. 
Remember that you both are still learing about each other.  Soon enough you'll have a more solid routine in place.

[LŠuren]

Marie

Thanks for posting your routines, they look pretty good considering Connor is just 3weeks. The night feeding times look the same as Calums where.

I agree with Heather about moving the bath earlier and doing the dreamfeed closer to 10pm, I remember what it was like when DS was week old and everynight was like a marathon session of eating and bathing and eating and eating ,,,, the evening just ran away from us.

Ultimately you are looking for a 12hr day with your LO, to give you a rest and a night to yourself and Connor some sleep. So, you day could look like this;

 E 7am
     A 7.20am (inc. a 10 - 10min at the end of this 'A' time for wind down for her nap)*
     S

E 10am
     A 10.20am (inc. a 10 - 10min at the end of this 'A' time for wind down for her nap)*
     S 

  E 1300
     A 1320 (inc. a 10 - 10min at the end of this 'A' time for wind down for her nap)*
     S

E 1600
     A 1620
     S 1730 - catnap only  30 - 45mins

    E 1900 & bath or vice versa    or    E 1800   &    2000 with bath in the middle (clusterfeeding)
    S 1930                                                 S 2030

  DF between 10 -11 https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=54662.0


Let us know if you need any more help 

[eiremk]

Lauren and Heather,
Thanks for the feedback - I feel a little better hearing his routine is kinda typical for his age.  Also, I like the idea of making his bath earlier and doing the earlier dream feed.  I think those are excellent suggestions and should help a lot!

We had a rough night last night - he had a lot of gas and hiccups.  He wanted to feed just about every hour for comfort (a lot of it was just suckling - I tried the pacifier as much as I could - but there were some times he was almost inconsolable with gas pain).  He really eats very quickly (guzzles) and eats for up to 40-50 minutes each time.  I think this is the cause of his hiccups and gas.  He has hiccups just about every feeding for the past 3 days.  I burp him several times during a feeding.  When he has hiccups I put him over my shoulder and pat his back.  I got some Mylicon infant gas drops this morning and will be getting the Baby's Bliss gripe water later today.  The Mylicon seems to have helped a little - he's sleeping better today.  Other than the patting, burping, Myliconm and Gripe Water - do you have any suggestions to help with the hiccups/gas. 

Thanks again,
Marie.

[LŠuren]

Marie where do you live about?

In the Uk I would recommend INFACOL.

[eiremk]

I live in Southern California - north of San Diego.  Thanks!

[LŠuren]

Marie
You may want to get a recommendation from your Ped.    I am not sure what is available to you.

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.
Lauren

[HeatherC]

Mylicon is pretty much the standard gas drop in the US.  I actually used the Wal-mart generic brand, though, and it worked just as well, and was much cheaper.

[eiremk]

Thanks Heather!  And congratulations on your pregnancy

[HeatherC]

Thanks!!!

[LŠuren]

Heather congratulations from us too 

[bellymum]

Please tell me what a dream feed is?
Thanks

[HeatherC]

Bellymum, I posted a link about the dreamfeed in another post we were communicating in:
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=61265.15
I hope that helps.