10 week old habitual waker

[Cherre]

Hi my DS is 10 weeks old and I think he might be an habitual waker and I'm struggling to get him out of it and need a bit of help. He wakes every night between 3.30am and 4.00am and seems to give a mantra cry but when I try to ssh/pat him back to sleep he sleeps for about 10 - 15 mins and then wakes either fussing or crying but it gets louder and louder so I try ssh/patting again which works for a short while.

I end up feeding him in the end and he usually takes about 6 oz, which makes me think that it must be a hunger waking but it happens the same time every night, not erratically.

His routine is:

E 6.30 - 7.00ish - breast fed but sometimes have to top up with bottle
A 7.00 - 8.30ish
S 8.30  - 9.00ish  - he'll nap anywhere between 45 mins to an hour at most
E 10.00 - 10.30ish breast fed
A 10.30ish
S 11.30 - 12 ish but this nap never really goes that well and normally cries when I put him down and fusses. We end up going out for a walk to get him to sleep for a bit.
E 13.00 - 13.03ish Breast fed for 30 mins ish
A 13.30 - 14.00ish
S 14.30 - He very rarely goes down for a sleep here
E 16.00 - 16.30ish Bottle
A 16.30 - normally stays awake now untill bedtime at 7.
E 18.45 - 19.00 ish Bottle - try to give him 6oz but normally takes four
A only bath three times a week but he has a bedtime routine which is nappy change, into sleep suit in his dimly lit room whilst listening to lullabys, he's still sleeping in our bedroom so we then take into our room, swaddle and hold him for a few minutes until he's stopped squirming. He then put down with a dummy if he's a little unsettled and then we wait until he falls asleep and then leave the room
E 10.30 - 11.00ish tried a dream feed but he wouldn't take it now so we unswaddle him and wake for him to come round and then feed him. He usually takes about 15 mins on the breast or 3oz on the bottle.

He then wakes up at 3.30ish and takes 6oz.

Any advice on how to get him out of this would be much appreciated as I don't know what to do for the best.

Many thanks.
Cherre

[Layla]

Hi Cherry & welcome !

when I try to ssh/pat him back to sleep he sleeps for about 10 - 15 mins and then wakes either fussing or crying but it gets louder and louder so I try ssh/patting again which works for a short while.

If shh/pat only settle him for 10-15mins (or 1hr even) & he's waking up again, then he could very well be hungry. He's only 10 weeks so 2 night feeds at this age is very normal (if not better than normal ).

Also looking at the routine, he doesn't seem to be sleeping too well/enough during the day. Is he only napping for a total of 2hrs & awake for 3.5hrs before bedtime? I think he is also very overtied which could be another contributing factor to night wakings.

His awake times shoudn't really exceed 1hr20mins (the morning A time is usually shorter so only about 1hr). Here's a link to sample EASY routines for los of your age. The idea is to have 3 long naps & a catnap. Of course its not always possible to extend a nap so you might not have true EASY but still try to space the feeding out so that he is not snacking.

The morning A time is often shorter than other A times & some babies are comfortable to stay awake for just an hour. Try to have him in the cot by the end of A time. So in the morning feed, a little play & then you will almost have to do the windown to get him ready for a nap within an hour of being awake. They tend to get overtired very easily at this age so by the time you see a yawn, he may very well be ready for a nap & get overtired by the time he makes it to the cot. Same for all the other naps. Start your windown an hour after he is awake so that he is already in the cot by 1hr 15-20mins.

Is he actually feeding 30mins non-stop or is that how long it takes between sides?

hth
Layla

[momofclaire]

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=10384.0

The link Layla wanted to post isn't there for some reason.  Here it is.

Myia

[Cherre]

Hi Layla,

He feeds for 30 mins on one side but this doesn't always happen, sometimes it's only 10 mins. I don't tend to switch between breasts in the same feed. He has been getting frustrated lately when I breast feed him and so that is why I have been topping him up with formula as well.

I'll try winding him down and making sure he is in his cot within an hour tomorrow.

Thanks for the all the advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

Cherre

[Layla]

With breastfeeding- go by his cues. He'll indicate to you when he's had enough & then always offer the other side in case he is still hungry, rather than staying on the same breast for a long time. If he still seems fussy/hungry, you can always offer the "3rd" side. This will also help your production, in case you are doubting your supply at the moment.

Have a look at the BF board & perhaps if you are concerned with your milk or if he's gettgin enough, you could post there too

Good luck & keep us posted
 

[MegER]

Wow, he sounds like my son EXACTLY, who is also 10wo.
I agree with the other postings, it sounds like he is overtired... to be up for 3 hours at the end of the day I think could definately lead to being overtired, especially since he isn't up that long all day.
I don't know if I should be giving advice as I am struggling with my boy.
Good luck!