7 week old - 45 minute naps

[awfkaf]

I've read through the FAQ's but I'm having a hard time finding information on how to extend the 45 minute nap.  I only have the Secrets of the BW book and not the BWSAYP (maybe I need that one?)

My son is 7 weeks old (10 1/2 lbs) and is only on a 2 hour EASY schedule (exclusively breastfed) except for one 4 hour session from 7-11pm.  We started EASY at about 4 weeks. I want to extend the EASY schedule to 3 hours, but I think I need to start with extending his nap.  I'm just starting the pat/shh method and it is working to get him to fall asleep in the crib (as opposed to us rocking him to sleep or using the swing), however he still awakes after 45 minutes.  We swaddle every time and use white noise.   I've tried extending his activity time, but he shows tired cues very quickly after eating.  He wakes up by opening his eyes and looking around - after a few minutes he'll start to whine, but not the hungry cry.  If I go and get him up and try to do another activity time, he cries to be fed.  If I leave him in he crib, the whines eventually turn into the hungry cry. 

Do I continue the shh/pat when he wakes (even though this is interrupted sleep?)
Can I pick him up to calm as long as I put him down as soon as he's soothed?
Should I sneak in at the 1/2 hour mark in his nap?
Should I stay with my hand on him for 20+ minutes?
Is it ever appropriate to use the pu/pd with a less than 4 month old?

Any advice would be helpful.  He's not a very fussy baby, but does seem to be overtired at the end of the day and I'm exhausted from all the feedings.  I'm really worried he's not getting enough sleep.

Thank you!

[Aly Mac]

HI there and welcome!

can you please post your typical routine for the day? In an EAS format, like this

E 7bf
A 7.45 A
S 8-10

thanks - this will let us help you fully 

some quick answers though:
 

Do I continue the shh/pat when he wakes (even though this is interrupted sleep?)

yes you can

Can I pick him up to calm as long as I put him down as soon as he's soothed?

of course you can he is still so new, if he is really upset of course you can.  try to sh/pt over your shoulder.

Should I sneak in at the 1/2 hour mark in his nap?

you could do this if you want to do wake to sleep. watching him sleep can help you see at what point he stirs,and you can anticipate it and hold his legs/arms when he jolts

Should I stay with my hand on him for 20+ minutes?

not really practical for you. I think we can think of other ways to help

Is it ever appropriate to use the pu/pd with a less than 4 month old?

personally, no.  it's too stimulating for a little'n.

I think if we look at the whole routine, we'll be able to help you with some other things to help with the naps. 

[awfkaf]

Thanks for your reply - here's our schedule from yesterday.  Yesterday was one of the hardest days yet, so I really appreciate any help given.

E 7:15AM bf
A 7:45
S 8:30-915
E 9:30 bf
A 10:00
S 10:45-1130
E 11:30 bf
A 12:00PM
S 12:30-1:15
E 1:30 bf
A 2:00
S 2:55-3:30 (I tried pat/shh until the 3 hour mark)
E 4:30 bf
A 5:00 (activity time gets shorter throughout the day b/c he's so overtired)
S 5:15-5:45
E 5:45 (tried cluster feeding here)
S 7:30 (took 1 hour to get him to sleep, ended up using the swing b/c he was hysterical with pat/shh)
E 11:15 (he wakes on his own, but we do swaddle at the end of the feed to relax him for bed)
S 12:15AM-1:15
E 1:15
S 2:00-3:15
E 3:15
S 4:00-5:15
E 5:15
S 6:00-7:15 (sometimes this sleep is longer if he sleeps on my husband

[Maffoos mummy]

Oh my goodness me you poor thing,you must be soooo tired!! Very well done to you for sticking with it when you're clearly running on back-up batteries,many people would have given up so that's great you're staying strong. Yes I do think the naps are the key here,and yes I'd definitely do shh/pat-pu/pd is really only for older babies as at this age you lo will have no concept of what you're doing and will only get more and more distressed. With shh/pat you're encouraging sleep without feeding but also ensuring your lo knows you're there with him through it. I would do shh/pat at the 45 minute point at every nap (and there's certainly no harm in sneaking in at 30minute point in order to watch him too) then by the time night comes he should be getting a little more used to the new settling routine and you could try dropping some of those night feeds too by using shh/pat. The trouble is as he's feeding so regularly he's unlikely to be getting a full feed each time and satisfying his hunger,hence then demanding another one again...and so the cycle continues. It's really tough doing sleep training with such a young baby but so worth the effort for you. I hope we can help you through this. Sending hugs!!

[awfkaf]

Thank you - your encouragement is very helpful.  Just last night I switched to only offering one breast at a time, hoping that he will not overeat (he's been spitting up recently) and also get more hind milk which may make him feel fuller and therefore sleep better.  This morning he woke up after 20 minutes in his crib, I went in and patted him back down and he slept for another 40 minutes.  After that he was harder to calm, but he did let me hold him and soothe him.  He never really went to sleep, just some nodding off - but we made it to the three hour mark for feeding, so that was a great relief!

Thanks again!

[Maffoos mummy]

That's definite progress well done. It may have been just as he'd already woken up and you'd managed to resettle him (YAY!!!  ) when he woke that second time it just wasn't gonna happen. You managed to get him extra rest and extend the feed though so that's great. If you think about it as he used to have 45minute naps,then if he does that again then you resettle him for another 45 minutes hey presto that's 1 1/2 hours!!! You can do this!!! It will work I promise!!!!!   

[Aly Mac]

Also watch the A times hun.  It looks like at some A times it's a little long, given it's only been a 45min nap.  At your lo's age, about an 1hr15min is the max time to be up, and if he has a short nap, then I would only keep him up maybe an hour.  The first A time of the day is also the shortest as it's kind of a continuation of the night time sleep, and also the easiest to get them to go to sleep and sleep longer.  so if you put him down at the hour mark for the first A time, he may sleep a little longer, then he can stay up for the 1hr15m mark for the next one.  If he's having lots of 45mins, you will find by the end of the day a very tired LO. 

Good luck, and keep up the good work!