3 MONTHS TOO EARLY FOR 4 HOUR ROUTINE??

[karinli]

My ds has been on EASY since he was about a month old; he is a great sleeper & sleeping from 7pm until 7am with a dreamfeed @ about 10pm; he is also quite the efficient eater (EBF) & now is (at 3 months) 14.2 lbs; he has been on the 3 hour routine starting @ 7am beautifully for at least 2 months......

Is it too early to start the 4 hour routine (a month early), he recently has been waking from his naps earlier & I don't think that he was too stimulated before being put down, & no other new problems have been introduced, I am just thinking that maybe he just doesn't need four 1 & 1/2 hour naps anymore??

TIA

Max's Mum

[vadensmommy]

If anything I would try a 3.5hr routine first and see how that goes.  That would mean you'd drop a bottle and a nap, and that might help.  How does that sound?

[nikisin]

I started Jack on 4/hr Easy last week and he was 14 weeks old. The reason I changed so early is because he wasn't eating at the 3hr or 3.5 hr mark. Ever since I changed he eats better, and our routine works really well. I say go with your baby's cues, and I agree with vadensmommy start with 3.5 and see how it goes.

[*Mona*]

if he's eating nicely for you on 3hrs routine, then moving him to 4hrs easy might disturb his routine instead of helping him nap better.
try 3,5hrs routine first.

good luck and let us know what you think.

monika

[karinli]

Hello

Thanks for the suggestions; interestingly enough the pedi recommended switching to 3 1/2-4 hour feeds due to Max's reflux (this has never disturbed our routine); he is eating well @ 3 hours, maybe I should just increase his awake time first or should I just go ahead & try out the 3 1/2 ?

MM

[vadensmommy]

A lot of moms like to do it very gradually - moving to a different EASY.  Some can do it cold turkey - we did, but that can be a little much for some lo's and cause OT and 30min (short) naps.  I would probably recommend doing it gradually.  Here is a link on how:

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63161.0

If you have questions, just post back!  Good luck!

[MJMom]

I would definitley go 3.5 hrs at first. If he has an occaisional 4 hr cycle, it probably will be OK, but if he was completely on a 4 hr EASY, you may be introducing other issues.