3 month old- How to extend nightime sleep

[danas]

Our 12 week old is an excellent napper and goes to sleep quite easily (uses soother to get her started), but has been unable to sleep longer than 5 hours at once during the night.  She is breastfed.  She was 2 weeks late (she is a bit advanced for her age, already) and is 14lbs now, so I know she should be able to go for longer.  We are sticking to the 3 hour EASY schedule (give or take 15 minutes), so her schedule is (we feed her within 10 minutes of waking):

Wake   7:00
Sleep   8:30
Wake   10:00
Sleep   11:45
Wake   1:30
Sleep   3:15
Wake   5:00
Sleep   6:50
Wake   7:30
Sleep   8:15
Wake   12:00
Sleep   1:30
Wake   6:00

We haven't been dreamfeeding as she is difficult to burp and has gas issues.  Tried twice and she was very uncomfortable an hour later.


We always have to wake her from her naps (the one after she wakes up could easily be 2 hours+), so I know she could definitely sleep more at night.  We also have a terrible time getting her back to sleep after her night feed- sometimes takes up to 2 hours.  She wants to play.

Any help on extending her nightsleep would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[danas]

Thanks so much Jane.  We have been very lucky with how she sleeps and plays.  One great little girl!

She actually played for 2 hours before sleeping this nap (I will leave her for 2 hours this time).  But I am confused if I should completely switch to the 4 hour easy, or just for one A period in the day?  I have looked at the transition plans, but I think she might be ready for the 4 hour now (although she is only 12 weeks). 

Usually she only uses her soother to get going to sleep about 50% of the time, then we can easily pull it out 5 minutes later.  However, last night she kept it in for her entire catnap (she didn't want to take one!).  Is she actually sleeping if her eyes are closed but still sporadically sucking on her soother? 

Thoughts?

Thanks for your help.  This forum is such great support!

Dana