baby doesn't take dream feed very well!

[Ollie76]

I've been on EASY since Day 1 with my 3.5 month old (I also used it with my DD1 and it was great) but I'm not sure what to do with my schedule right now!  My DD 2 was on a 3 hour EASY until a few days ago (she has reflux and wasn't eating very well).  Anyways, I have always had a problem with the Dream Feed - she's so difficult to wake up and she won't eat in her "sleep."  So I end up feeding her awake and drowsy but she will only take about 2 oz.  I think that it is preventing her from sleeping through the night (she wakes around 5:00/5:30 and takes a HUGE feeding).  

I just started her on a 3 1/2 hour schedule and it looks like this:

8:00 wake, feed

9:30 sleep (2 hours)

11:30 wake, feed

1:00 sleep

3:00 feed

4:30 sleep

6:30 feed, activity, catnap

8:30/9:00 bath, bottle

11:15 - dream feed

Should I drop the DF altogether?  I know it's close to the other feeds, and maybe that's the problem.....  Last night I didn't do it (and I fed her around 9:30 and she slept until 5:15 again - so no big difference).  I was tempted to put her on a 4 hr. EASY but she can't stay awake for 2 hrs.

Any thoughts?

* she always has a good morning nap and the rest range from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

[gpmom]

How long have you been trying to do it?  I imagine you are bfing, and if that is the case have you tried doing the df with a bottle?  I have always done it that way and it works great.  Maybe in a week r so she will be on a 4 hour easy so it might not be such a big deal?? 
I dont think it will cause you a huge problem if you drop it all together, but it sure would be nice to make it work.
Jut rambling now.....hth

[Ollie76]

Thanks for the reply.  I'm bottle feeding actually.  I'm just trying to figure out if fact that she's not taking much at the DF is contributing to her 5:00 wake-up...?  I would love to make it work too!!!

[gpmom]

I assumed you were bottle feeding as you had to wake her up,,,,,sorry.  Have you tried doing the df at a different time?  I know that if you do it too late it interupts there sleep, but maybe try a few different times to see if she will take it?

[Grace's Mom]

I would guess that the reason she isn't taking much at the df is because her last bottle is at 9pm which is really close to the DF. 

On average, most lo's last feed of the day is around 7pm so they are then hungry by 10:30/11pm as enough time has gone by for their tummy's to have digested the last feed and are now ready to take in more.  Are you able to bring your last feed up any?

45 minute naps usually mean your lo is ready for more A time.

Could she be ready for a 4 hour EASY?  That would bring your day to an 8-8 routine and would help with the dream feed and should help with those 45 minute naps.

At 3.5 months a 5am wake up is still really normal!  When she wakes then, does she take a full feed? 

Melissa

[Ollie76]

I had been doing her last feed at 8:00 (when I was on the 3 hour schedule) and the DF at 11:30 and she still wasn't taking much.  I'm slowly trying to work my way to a 4 hr. EASY but I'm nervous!!    I really don't know if she could last the full 2 hours of A time.  Also, I'm worried that if I drop a feed, it will take longer for her to sleep through the night....

Oh, and yes she takes a really big feed when she wakes at 5:00 -

[Grace's Mom]

The DF doesn't work for every lo.  Mine never used it.
It's up to you.   

Move to a 4 hour EASY when you feel your lo is ready.   
When they move to less feeds, they make it up by adding extra ounces through out the rest of the feeds so she'll still be getting the same amount of food. It won't effect her sleeping though, plus she is so young still and night feeds are pretty normal until 6+ months.  You both are doing great!

Melissa

[Ollie76]

thanks.  I just think we're in a really bad habit right now (of taking in lots of food in the middle of the night instead of during the day).  She's a big baby and I know that she could probably make it through the night but, like I said she doesn't take much at the dream feed AND she doesn't eat much first thing in the morning b/c of this big night feed.   

[Grace's Mom]

If you think your lo is eating too much at that 5am feed, you can do one of two things..

1.  Lessen the ounces....if your lo is drinking 6oz, offer 4 or 5oz

2. Or you can give the same amount of liquids, but have less formula in it.  Say you normal put in 6oz of water and 6oz worth of formula...put in 6oz of water and 4oz worth of formula, etc.  Does that make sense?  Hope it's not confusing.

Hope this helps some.

Melissa

[Ollie76]

Giving her less ounces is difficult b/c she drains the bottles!!!  But...I love the second idea you gave me - maybe I'll try that!  Thanks 

[Grace's Mom]

Give it a few days and then let us know how things are going. 

And as time goes on you can keep lessoning the amount of formula until there is only water, thus eliminating that feed all together.  In time though.

Melissa

[Ollie76]

I'll keep you posted - thanks!!