Dropping a Nap, is it OK?

[neelam.mom]

Hi all,

I am getting addicted to BW! I have not read the book but this site is, well, God sent for me. I have learned so much about my DD and still learning! THANKS.

My DD is 5.5 months now, and her schedule is roughly, she naps for 30 mins approximately every 2 hrs:

7:30 wake up
8:30-8:45 -- 9:00-9:15 BF (one side) and nap
10:30 - 11  BF (both sides) and nap
1:00 - 1:30 BF (one side) nap
3:30 - 4:00 BF (both sides) and nap
6:45pm bedtime routine and BF (both sides)
7:30 pm to bed

She generally got up 2 times to feed at night but now she has started to get up at 6:00.

My question is:
1. She had one more nap in evening at 5:00, which she has dropped completed past week and since then she is getting very cranky during bed time. Should I move her bed time early?
2. She has started to wake up every morning at 6:00-6:30, even if her last feeding was at 4:00am and she gemerally goes more than 4-5 hours at night,  I tried to shhh/pat but didnt work so I feed her (one side) and she will fall asleep. Before this started I BF at 7:30 everymornning (both sides). I would like to change it back to 7:30 again, how do I do that?

Thank you in advance.

ps: we will start solids when she is 6 months old ie 2-3 week of aug.

[neelam.mom]

Hi Stacy,

Thank you for replying.

Actually, I agree with EBF --> sleep time association and I have started to stop that, since I read your reply. Its been hard for both of us, she is struggling as I feel that she has more need to suckle than average babies --- we saw her sucking in my utero, and for me since she cries!.

Actually, I dont want to change anything about her catnaps, I am happy with her 30-45 mins naps and so was she. She was very active, alert and happy before she stopped taking her 5:00pm catnap. I just was not sure what woul happen if I changed her bedtime little early. But yesterday I tried that - putting her bed at 6:30 and it was fine. She got up to feed at 2:30am and then again at 6:30am but I again after feeding her I shhh/pat her to sleep and then woke her up at 7:30am. She did get up couple of times and I again shhh/pat her to sleep. Today monring I thought I would try and see if she will BF again and she did at 7:30am. I put her to nap (without feeding at 9:00am).

I really dont want to reschedule her. she has led me to this schedule and I am happy with it, as long as she is happy. I just watch her sign for tiredness and put her to sleep sometimes is +/- 30mins.

I guess, with her catnaps its not possible to put her to 4-4.5 hours EASY!?! and not even 2-2.5 A time!?!

Thank you once again for your reply.