Not hungry when waking or only has small feed....messes up EASY

[Brodster'sMommy]

I would definitely try and cluster feed. If you are feeding every 3 hours during the day, try clustering the last 2 or 3 feeds 2 hours apart.

What did your routine look like today?

It's good news that your LO didn't take a lot from the bottle after his feedings. I think that shows he's getting enough. I'm wondering if all of his night feedings are cutting into his intake during the day? Post your schedule for the last 24 hours and lets see what we've got.

[NatashaB]

I had an awesome last 24 hours.  Not sure if it was fluke but it was great!

Went like this:
7am wake
8:30am feed
9am-11am nap
12:30am feed
1-3pm nap
4:30pm feed
4:40-5:10pm cat nap
6:15pm feed, bath, pjs
7:20-8pm bedtime
8pm feed back to sleep
1am feed back to sleep
4am feed back to sleep
6am held back to sleep
7:15am wake

I held him back to sleep to manipulate his wake up time.  He seems to be doing okay on a 4 hour schedule with a 2 hour activity. I'm not sure if this is too early for a 3 month old but from his size and energy, perhaps this is what he needs.  Perhaps he was snacking and not napping enough from not enough stretch in his schedule/routine.

Thank you
Natasha

[*Ali*]

Sounds like you had a great day. Long may it continue. 
We also cluster feed still so feeds normally look like this on a good day: 8:00(when he wakes), 12:00 (after 2hr nap),16:00 (after 2hr nap), 6.45 (after 45min CN) and lastly just before 8pm change and bedtime. It works for us.

[NatashaB]

Today he seems a little more hungry and is waking between naps because he is not satisfied.  I am feeding him between the naps and he is going back down as he may be right in his growth spurt.  My goal is start some consistency now that he is at 3 months.  Same wake up time and feed every 4 hours.

Thanks a bunch...hope this continues
Natasha

[*Ali*]

Just thought, have you tried wake to sleep to extend his naps? Perhaps he is needing help cos he finds it difficult to transition from one 45 sleep cycle to the next.
We did it to extend DS's from 45mins to 2hrs/2hrs15mins. Had to do it for almost 2 weeks but it worked and he now sleeps past this 45 min point most naps. 

[NatashaB]

Did try it..only once though. Woke him up so it scared me that it will ruin things.  I will try it again...and keep a go at it for a while.  He's definitely tired when he wakes at 45-1hr point.  Maybe he sees me and smiles and looks like he's ready to party but if I help him, he will usually sleep longer.  It's funny, because most people would think, "Get him up, he looks happy and maybe 45 min is enough." But I know the reality...mom's instincts!

Thank you

[*Ali*]

Yeah give it another go and try to only rouse him SLIGHTLY. I stroked his ear til he moved his head and that was all it took.
Also, do you play any music or white noise for his naps? I have been using the lullaby on his monitor to send him off for naps and then leaving it playing while he sleeps. Then if he wakes up mid-nap he seems happier to go back to sleep.

[NatashaB]

He must be GS right now because at his bedtime he just couldn't get enough feed.  Every time he would be put down in his crib he would wake and cry for more.  Beyond the growth spurt I will work on wake to sleep this week. Does my 4 hour schedule sound reasonable for a bigger little guy at 3 months?  He can last the 2 hours of activity..usually, with just a bit of fuss.  I guess it really comes down to the feeds and how long in between he is able to stretch it.

Working hard
Natasha

[*Ali*]

If he's doing ok waiting that long for a feed I don't see why not stick to 4hrs. Tracy said some bigger babies can start 4hr EASY much earlier than a small one.

[NatashaB]

Thought I read that somewhere in her book as well.  He's certainly growth spurting right now so I'm going with the flow with his feeds.  He is also teething...seems early but gnawing at me when he feeds and on his hands, drooling everywhere and crying as though in pain.

When it rains it pours sometimes
Natasha

[*Ali*]

Yeah we got this around that time. I believe the saliva glands kick in around this time so they starts drooling loads. Apparently the teeth can cause uncomfortable pressure on the gums for 3 months before the tooth actually cuts through. Make sure you give him some pain relief like paracetamol, teething gel or infant powders so it doesn't cause his sleep (and yours) to suffer.

[NatashaB]

You Bet!

[Brodster'sMommy]

Hey Natasha!

Just popping in and I'm glad to gear things are going well. Yay for finding out he likes a 4 hour routine! My Internet has been giving me trouble the last few days so I'm sorry I've been MIA. Good to know Cadies Mom was there to help! How was your day today?

[NatashaB]

Thanks for following up!

I'm thinking he's on a GS right now and teething?!  He is eating every 2 hours...before a nap and after.  He ate for an hour and a half this evening before his bedtime!!?  When the LO is over the GS, how do I know to prevent a snacking habit and get back on track to a 4 hour EASY?? 

Another thought,
If the little guy eats at 1am and 5am and I'm trying to get his wake up time at 7/7:30am...how should I deal with the 5am feed.  Also, he is wired at this time always and is fired up ready to play.  I have to hold him and settle him for some time to keep him asleep.


Thank you
Natasha

[Brodster'sMommy]

I'm having problems with a 5am feed as well... Arg

Is he waking at the same time? If so, you could try wake to sleep.

As far as watching out for the end of a growth spurt... They usually last a few days but after that, keep you eye out for his feeds becoming shorter - indicating that he no longer is taking in such large amounts and is snacking. Then start trying to push the feeds out again. You might get lucky and he could do it all on his own. But if he doesn't, just watch out for the snacking so you can nip it in the bud right away.