what adjustments to fix this problem??

[shelliz]

Hi there....

My two month old is doing really well for his naps and at the beginning of the night. He is on 3/3.5 hr EASY. I am trying to be very aware of not letting him get OT during the day as to not cause any night wakings or early wake-ups. Somewhere I am going wrong.  We tried the DF and it did not seem to work for him.  In the past he was waking around 7/7:30 for the day but this past week and a half...this is what's happening.

3:00 a.m. wakes, BF
4:00 wakes, soothe back to sleep
5:00 wakes, soothe back to sleep
6:30 up for the day, BF
8:00 nap
9:30/10  wakes, BF
11/11:30 nap
1:00 wakes, BF
3:00 nap
4:00/4:30 wakes, BF
5:30ish small nap
6:00ish wakes, cluster feed
6:30 bath
7:00 put down for bed
**Last week or so he has been waking up an hour after I put him down
12/1:00 am wakes, bf
3/4:00 am wakes bf

**starts all over again w/ waking every hour until we get up for the day He is NOT hungry at these numerous wakings. Actually I know I could cut out one of these night feedings as he never eats much anyways. I think I am worried that cutting one out now would cause more wakings. 

Any help on our situation would be soooo appreciated!

TIA!

Shelby

[KellyC]

Hi Shelby, t'is I!

Nothing stands out but I have a few thoughts (as usual  );

I know you say he isn't hungry at his night wakings but maybe he wasn't hungry to begin with then started eating less during the day because he'd fed lots at night and is now genuinely hungry at night.  I personally would give a DF, even if it's just so you know when he wakes that he really isn't hungry and can commit yourself to getting him back to sleep without that doubt in your mind.  Did you try giving a bottle of either EBM or formula (whichever you prefer) as a DF?  If he goes 3/3.5 hours during the day and you gave him a bottle at 10/11pm would you be happy to only feed him if he goes at least 4 hours until 2/3am and soothe him back to sleep another way if he wakes earlier?  If you can get him to the point where he takes a really good feed rather than a small feed then maybe the number of wakings will reduce as he'll be able to make it until morning or at least a few more hours.  I'd also give him a small top-up feed before you put him down for the night to make sure that's not why he's waking an hour after bedtime.

I'd give this approach at least a week to see if it helps and my next step would be to make sure he's not having too much daytime sleep.

Kelly x

[shelliz]

I think you may have a great point. I have almost been worrying as he doesn't seem 'as' hungry during the day lately. I am sure that is why.  I tried the DF with EBM last night ane he would NOT take it. I wiggled the nipple into his mouth and he wouldn't take it so I took him out and BF him.  He went right back to sleep. Does that mess up the effectiveness if he actually wakes?  I will keep it up and hopefully it will help. I will certainly feel better to soothe him back to sleep if he does have a good DF.

**Let me ask too...

 Even when he has a feed at 4 or 5:00 a.m.  and then he wakes around 7:00 is isn't very hungry at all. I like to offer as to get him started out on a good EASY routine. How would you handle that? 

I promise I will get this DF idea through my thick head. I don't know why I have been hesistating to do it. Probably b/c I get busy doing "Y" time stuff and just don't want to. BUT I do want to get him sleeping more at night...so I am dedicating myself to it this time. 

[RachelC]

Remember, the df can take a while until it's established, so you don't want to give up on it after a night or two.

His A time seems really long for 2 months.

Do you offer both sides at 4/5?  Maybe only offer one side and try to keep that feed shorter to help build the appetite for 7.

[shelliz]

Rach....I only ever offer one side tbh. He always seems full and satisfied after one side. 

Maybe I need to take a look at the A times for his age. I felt like I read his cues really well as he goes down after a few yawns and goes down awake w/o a fuss.    Usually he is yawning right around and hour and a half. I have to look...but it seems like if I was putting him down after an only 45 or an hour that he would be having alot of sleep during the day.

Gosh...this stuff can be so mind boggling at times! LOL!

Thanks ladies for the replied. I can always count on my Sept/Oct ladies. Why did I even post on the main boards? Maybe it may help someone else  

[KellyC]

Nate's A time is usually spot on 1.5 hours too, sometimes even longer.  It's funny because Zander was almost 4 months old before he could manage that, Nate seems so much older than Zander did at this age.

Nate is also content after a single side feed but these past couple of days I've thought what the heck and offered him the second side too and do you know what he usually has a fairly good feed from the second side too!  I'm hoping he'll start taking on more during the day and get rid of the night feed.  Last night when he woke I fed him automatically (you just don't function beyond flopping your boob out in the middle of the night do you?!) and he took a rubbish feed and then took a rubbish feed when he woke for the day too.  I think he could survive without that night feed but I'm not going to push it yet.

I would maybe delay the first feed of the day half an hour to 7.30 if he's woken fairly close to morning.  I bet it'll still only be a top-up feed but should see him through to around 10am.

Let us know how it's going
K x