Sleeping through the night

[kel2y]

Hi

A few days ago we started EASY with our 17 week old daughter who was 8 weeks prem.
The daytime routine seems to be going brilliant, it's the night time we are struggling with.

Just wondering of you cluster feed 6pm then 8pm would you let them sleep in between if they nod off or try and keep them awake with activity?

I am breastfeeding her and finding getting her to take the Dreamfeed a nightmare! Can get her to take maybe 5-10mins tops around 10.30pm then she is waking again around 1.30am after a feed she can sleep til 6am.

Has anyone got any suggestions to help??
Thanks

[Purplecattypants]

Yes, let her sleep in between her cluster feeds. The DF doesnt work for everyone, it sounds like its disturbing her rather than helping. I'd try maybe not doing it and see what happens. You will still get a wakeup to feed i'm sure, but maybe a bit later. You can always try and reinstate the df at a later date 

[kel2y]

Thanks
should I keep the EASY routine going whilst cluster feeding, putting her down to sleep?
Just after I have fed her which could last up to 40mins, activity 45mins this only leaves about 30mins before next feed? 

[Purplecattypants]

Keep easy up until bedtime (so I presume this is after the 6pm feed, around 7pm?), put her to bed then just pick her up and feed her at 8pm, then straight back to bed  She might not wake fully but thats ok.

[kel2y]

Thanks, will try tonight!
6pm feed then bath and bed. Fingers crossed! would you recommend changing her nappy after the 8pm feed or just straight back to bed??
Will attempt Breastfeed dreamfeed but think a bottle of EBM might work better?

[*Nicola*]

I would just put her straight back down to sleep without changing her nappy.  I never change during 'night sleep time' at all unless soaking wet or dirty

The DF didn't work for us at all.  Always gave us a 230am wake up regardless of the time of DF.  Same with breast or formula.  You could easily try her with a bottle of EBM to see how much she takes and whether it makes a difference to her night sleep.  If you still get the 130am wake up you could drop the DF for a few nights and see what happens.  TBH, I think one wake up at her age (adjusted) is brilliant!

[Purplecattypants]

What Nic said 

DF doesnt work for everyone. It did for us, but ONLY if I BF....if dh tried to give a bottle or ebm he would wake up and cry!! Experiment, see what happens....whatever you do, try if for at least 3 days before deciding whether it works or not.

[kel2y]

Thanks for all the advice peeps!
So far so good! fed at 5pm, bed by 6.30pm, fed at 7pm, going to try and feed her soon as her lips are smacking then maybe DF.
How many cluster feeds do you peeps usually do? :~)

[Purplecattypants]

We dont cluster anymore, did it until about 10 weeks as far as I can remember. Tracy recommended stopping at 8 weeks, but its very individual. I used to just do the two and a DF.

[Bella_a1]

I am going to threadjack my babe also wakes around 1ish after the 10.30 dreamfeed do you think this is disturbing his sleep also?  He is 7 weeks.

[kel2y]

Hi Peeps!
Just to let you know that last night dropped the DF and DD slept from 8pm to 3.30am which was good going by all accounts. Hopefully in time that wil stretch to 6am.
Just with her being 18 weeks old now but 8 weeks prem don't know if I should be treating her like a 10 week old or 18 week old very confusing! any suggestions? 

[Purplecattypants]

You should treat her as her adjusted age, so yes 10 weeks. Therefore on a 3 hour easy or thereabouts. Great that she slept so well last night!!

Bella-a1, it does sound like the df may be disturbing your lo;s sleep...whst happens if you dont do it?

[kel2y]

Thanks, just soo confusing!
How many hours should she sleep at night about 8? 

[Bella_a1]

We haven't tried not doing a DF it always worked so well with my DD.  Last night he went to 2.30 after the DF.  Night before though it was 1.30 again where I just resettled and he slept till 3.30.  Maybe I should try leaving the DF out for a couple of nights and see what happens.

[kel2y]

I would advise leaving out the DF.
Last night DD was BF at 5.40pm then bath & bed, BF at 7.40pm. She took a while to settle her self but she did without any crying and slept from 8.45pm to 5am. I feel like a new woman, lol.