14 weeks NW - growth spurt or habitual waking? How long does growth spurt last?

[Fozzard]

Greetings!  This is the first time I've posted to BW.  I discovered BW when DS was 9 weeks and we have been following EASY since then.  He was sleeping well (only one night waking) for the past three weeks and we were thrilled.  However, 4 days ago he started waking at 130 and 430 at night. At first I attributed to growth spurt and tried to up his feedings during the day.  He would eat but didn't seem ravenous.  When DH was giving him the bottle, he took 2.5 and 3 oz during these feedings. 

Last night he woke at 130 and I gave him the paci and shh/pat until he fell back asleep.  But then he woke up again at 3 so I fed him.  Again he woke at 6 so I shh/pat him back to sleep.  He slept until 7 which is his usual EASY start time.

So does it sound like a growth spurt or habitual waking?  How long do growth spurts last?  He has been cranky (I believe overtired) in the past 4 days so I am trying to get him more sleep.

Thank you for any advice.

[Fozzard]

Thanks for responding!  To answer your questions, I am breastfeeding.  The only prop I would say we use is sometimes he falls asleep in his stroller for naps.  He was getting good at settling himself prior to this problem...I would place him in the crib and do shh/pat if necessary.  He has also developed problems with napping recently, he wakes after 45 minutes and cries.  It is difficult to settle him back into his nap.

Here is our typical EASY:
E 700
A 730
S 815 Put down after 2 yawns. Sometimes can only handle 1 hr A time
E 1000
A 1030
S 1115-1130
E 100
A 130
S 215-230
E 400
A 430
S 45 minute catnap, has been fighting this
E 700
A 800 bath, 830 wind down routine
S 900

With this routine, he was previously able to sleep until 4-5 am.  Which was great!  I never tried the dream feed since this schedule worked for us.

[Fozzard]

I try for 3 1.5 hour naps and 1 45 minute catnap.  However, it's been a little more erratic.  Today the naps have been 1.5 hours, 45 minutes, and 2 hours. 

[Fozzard]

Sorry, just realized nap times were confusing.  Here is our "ideal" day.


E 700
A 700-815
S 815 - 1000 Including wind down. Start wind down after 2 yawns. Sometimes can only handle 1 hr A time at this time
E 1000
A 1000-1130
S 1130-100 (Today only did 45 minute nap, 45 minutes of sh/pat)
E 100
A 100-230
S 230-400
E 400
A 400-500
S 45 minute catnap
E 700
A 800 bath, 830 wind down routine
S 900

[Fozzard]

Hi - Unfortunately I have not been logging the time of the catnap, just the duration.  I think it's around 530ish.  Thanks for the advice on shortening the A time.  I will try it. 

I have never done a DF.  Many nights he doesn't settle down until 930-1000 so it would be too late to do a DF.  I would have to bump the bedtime to earlier.  I considered this option, but he got into a nice routine so I left it as is.  Until now.... :-)

[Fozzard]

I agree, he goes to bed way too late.  I will try to get him on a 12/12 schedule.  Do you do this gradually or all at once?  I think his A time has been low due to chronic OT. 

Last night he fought going to sleep for 1 hour, which also makes me think OT.  However, he only had 1 NW at 230, which isn't bad!

[Fozzard]

I would like to try the dream feed.  I never did it because he has been difficult to put to sleep and I thought it may wake him up and start the cycle again.  So it is easier with a bottle of EBM, correct? 

[Fozzard]

I also BF, how do you get your LO to latch on in his sleep?

[Fozzard]

Thank you so much for all your help!  I appreciate it. I'll try your suggestions out.

[Fozzard]

So the twice a night wakings seem to have subsided.  I did try for a 7 pm bedtime last night with the intent of doing a dream feed.  Well it took 2.5 hours to get him to finally go to sleep!  At that point we decided against the dream feed, it was already 930.  We will try again tonight!