Growth spurt? or am I overfeeding her?

[Mia's Mommy]

Hello everyone.

My LO is a preemie, 14 wks adjusted / 18.5 wks actual. At 10.5 wks adjusted, she began sleeping through the nite. (cluster feed at 6 & 8, and DF by bottle at 10. wake to feed between 5 and 6:30). However, one week later, she began to wake in the middle of the nite again, anywhere between 1:30 and 3:30. I assumed this was a growth spurt as she was at 12 wks adjusted. Problem is, she is still waking up in the middle of the nite for the last 2 wks. Aren't growth spurts 3-5 days???

Either this is a long growth spurt or she's getting used to me feeding her???

Just 5 days ago, I began introducing rice cereal, okay'd by Dr. Starting yesterday, LO is getting approx 1-1.5 oz of cereal 3 times a day in addition to breastfeeding. We are still clusterfeeding at 6 & 8, with DF at 10 in hopes she will begin sleeping through the nite again. But am I overfeeding her?

Thank you for your help!!!

[~inbalance~]

Hi there!

Not to go against your doctor's advice, because I do think it's important that we consider the advice given by the health care professionals that we trust, but I don't believe giving rice cereal this early is necessarily a good idea, nor do I think it is going to stop her from waking at night.  At this age, and especially for a breastfed baby, it is very normal for babies to wake at night.  In addition to growth spurts (which can happen at anytime btw), there is so much going on developmentally that it is common for babies to start waking more often around 4mos.  Many babies will start teething around this time too.  I know both my boys started waking a lot more between 4-5mos for many reasons, not just hunger.

I'm surprised given that your LO was a little premature that the doctor would be ok with recommending cereal so early, but then again I'm not a doctor!    I know the World Health Organization recommends 6mos, while the American Academy of Pediatrics I think says between 4-6mos, but this is depending on whether or not LO's are ready.

It's possible that the rice cereal is upsetting her immature digestive system which could be contributing to the NWings as well.

What do you think about stopping for a few days to see if she settles down a bit?  You can always try the cereal again at a later time, but by cutting it out it might make one less thing to wonder about, kwim?

[mmom]

It's possible that the rice cereal is upsetting her immature digestive system which could be contributing to the NWings as well.

I was wondering this too as well.

Why are you adding rice cereal?  I read quickly at first and thought it was a reflux issue, but it is not right? 

Like Martina said, NWs are common at this age, especially with a BF baby.

[Vicku]

Hi there

I am agreeing with everything that's been said hun. Martina has raised some really good points here. Maybe if it was me I'd at least ask for a second opinion from another Peadiatrician before feeling ok about giving rice cereal this early, especially three times/day. At this age (and especially for a preemie) it isn't likely to add anything to her 'diet' as solids given too early 'takes away' from the milk intake rather than 'add to' it, and milk is by far more nutritious and calorific than rice, so is really the best food for her right now and when EBF there's never really a need to worry about overfeeding.
With regards to the STTN, it's true that LOs often do a stretch of STTN then start waking more again. Sleep will often change many times in the first year, through growth spurts, new milestones like crawling, pulling up etc, teething and can even be caused by emotional development, so it is really expected to have one NW, at least. I know how much we can long for them to STTN, and now you've had a taste for it too I totally understand that you want to try to get her there again, but IMO giving rice cereal isn't the way.

What do you think hunny? If you want I can move your thread to Night Wakings instead, so you can have some more advice on what you can do to encourage STTN when she's ready to do it again?

Vicku

[Mia's Mommy]

Thank you for your thoughts and support!

Also, I believe she's constipated as she goes 3-5 days without passing a stool and strains when she does. Again, this has been going on before solid foods.

I have a call into the Dr regarding her stools or lack there of, so when I get a call back, I'll ask again if I should hold off on cereal until she's at least 16 wks adjusted age.

I guess I was so excited when Mia began sleeping through the nite...  I don't sleep very well so hoping for a good nite sleep may be too early right now.

[Mia's Mommy]

Thank you for posting in Night Wakings as well. I appreciate all the advice I can get!!!

[~inbalance~]

I would definitely hold back on the cereal then as it won't help her constipation issues and will likely make them worse.

I think it's important to heed our baby's doctor's advice (that's what they're there for!) but it's also important to listen to your mummy instinct.  So if you don't think it's something she's ready for, then don't feel bad if you want to hold off a little bit longer. 

Here is a link that maybe will help you get some ideas as to why she is waking:  http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=52878.0

Good luck! 

[Mia's Mommy]

Thank you Martina for the link! It's so helpful.

I think my biggest challenge is the short naps. Like clockwork, Mia wakes after 45 mins. On very few occasions, Mia has been able to sleep all the way through her next feeding time. When I started EASY, I tried ssh/pat and it never worked for us. I got too tired of sshing and bending over after 30 mins. It seemed that she just got more and more upset. Now, I've just given up really (I feel terrible, like I can't stick it out...), it's routine for me that I pick her up when she cries and have awake time until her next feeding time. I really think she hasn't learned on how to settle on her own.

How do I "Fix through working on extending nap times in the day"

[Mia's Mommy]

Also for her 14 weeks adjusted age, I've been doing either a 3 to 3.5 hr EASY routine. Is that right??? The more and more I think about it, I feel like I'm not doing anything right now....

[~inbalance~]

(((hugs)))!!!  

Honestly, this age is so crazy for sleep!  NWings, short naps, these are all unfortunately par for the course.    This is a big age for developmental aspects as well.  So while knowing this doesn't make the sleep any better, hopefully it makes you feel a little comforted by the fact that it's normal!

Maybe if you'd like to post your EASY we can have a look, and maybe we'll get your post moved over to the EASY boards so the mods there can maybe help you out.  What would you say your biggest issue is, naps, or NWings, or is it just you're having trouble putting it all together and making it work?

[Mia's Mommy]

Honestly, I thought it was just the NWs that I was having trouble with but I think I'm having trouble putting it all together... I'm embarrassed to admit it but the more I think about her EASY, I have concerns with her short naps, NW, awake times... all of it...

Unfortunately, my EASY is not consistent during the day because her first E is whenever she gets up, which is usually around 6 to 7:30. I'm SAHM and don't have other kids, so I base my day when Mia wakes up. The only consistency is her clusterfeeds at 6, 8, and DF 10pm (Is she too old for clusterfeed / DF?). Then she wakes at 3 to 3:30 for middle of night feed.

Again, her naps are 45 mins long so it basically looks like EASA on a 3 to 3.5 hr E routine.

Is it best to wake her at the same time everyday?

How do you extend naps?

We don't have a bedtime routine either. Mia has sensitive skin and is very dry so I don't want to bathe her everyday for her bedtime routine. Any suggestions?

[Mia's Mommy]

I forgot to add that Mia falls asleep on her own for naps and bedtime. My husband and I worked really hard on NOT rocking to sleep. It was tough but so worth it because now, when I see that she is tired, we simply swaddle her, turn on her lullaby music and sound machine, lay her in her crib, and she falls asleep on her own. Some times she whimpers a little, but after a short ssh/pat, Mia winds down and falls asleep.

[mmom]

This should get you started.
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=186622.0

There is info about ssh/pat for extending naps.

As for a set wake up and bedtime, your LO is young, so it might not always be that simple.  I just wouldn't let her sleep too late in the morning, because it can shift everything.  Not that I ever had late sleepers, but I always stayed within a 1 hour range and never let them sleep past 7:30/8.  My goal was always 7 for a wake up.

About bedtime, we just do the same wind down we do for naps (change diaper, put in sleep sack, turn on fan, put in crib) and don't always bathe every night either.  Neither of my kids can handle it with their skin.

[~inbalance~]

I have a confession.  I am not very good at figuring out routine stuff!      But I'm going to see if we can get some ladies who are good at it to have a look.  In the meantime, I've fished around for some links that might have more helpful information for you:

Some sample routines to give you an idea of what to aim for:  http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=164253.0
Some info on the 3-4hr EASY transitions:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63161.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=120362.0
About naps and specifically that 45min nap (which is often developmental):  http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=85499.0

Try using ssh/pat for extending naps: 
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64275.0

It's ok if you don't bath every day.  Bedtime routines can be as simple as a massage, getting dressed, and a wind down routine including lullabies and ssh/pat.  Keep it simple, but keep it consistent.

If you're trying to establish a good routine, it is a good idea to start it at the same time everyday if you can.

Great that she falls asleep on her own, that's one less thing to worry about!