how to implement EASY with 3 month old

[hellothere]

Hi - can someone clarify how to implement EASY with my baby who just turned 3 months old and who has never been on a routine?  Do I follow a strict 3-hour schedule the first few days (e.g. wake him up at 7am to eat even if he's still sleeping, etc?) until he gets into a routine?  Or do I not need to be as strict at this point and just follow his cues within the EASY framework?  Thanks!

[* Paula *]

Hi and welcome to the BW website.

I would personally start on a 3 hour feeding routine, and follow your lo's cues with regard to sleep etc.

At around 3 months most lo's can handle between an hour - an hour and a half A time.  Watch your lo's cues carefully to ensure that your lo does not get over tired.

Good luck, keep us posted on how you get on.

[jswmom]

Hi.  Welcome...
You're first question about whether or not to wake your LO up at 7AM to eat even if he's still sleeping was my first question a few months ago, too.  I found that waking my LO up everyday around the same time (usually between 7 and 7:30 AM) really helped to set my DS internal body clock and helped keep our routine consistent.
Good luck!

[hellothere]

Thanks for the replies!  The problem is that my son is accustomed to using me as a pacifier.  He woke up from a nap yesterday crying but he was obviously still sleepy so I tried to calm him and get him back to sleep without offering the breast.  He screamed for over an hour despite trying everything to calm him (including shh-pat which didn't help at all) at which time I offered him the breast because it was time to eat.  I feel like I traumatized him.  I've taught him for the past three months that he could count on me to soothe him and now I am telling him to not count on me.  I feel like an awful mother.  Was I wrong in what I did?   

[* Paula *]

Huge hugs hun,

Pacci's, breast, bottles can soon turn into a prop if you let your lo's fall asleep on them.

I would suggest popping over to the props board and popping a post on there, the ladies there will be able to give you some fantastic advice on weaning from the breast to fall asleep.

Here is a link to the Props Board

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=28.0

[jswmom]

Big Hugs to you.  You are NOT an awful mother.  In fact, you're a good mother because you're on the path to teaching your child how to sleep independently.  It's so important to a little one and you care enough to take the time and energy to give him the help he needs to get there independently.  Just keep in mind that it only takes a couple of days to break the habit of using the breast to get to sleep.  I know that I had two days of lots of tears when I weaned the paci, but now my DS sleeps SO much better and the tears were worth it.  He's much less grumpy and not OT anymore.    You're doing the right thing, think about the longer term picture.
Good luck!