Cluster feeding and EASY

[ShaunaD]

My LO is 8wks and is doing great with EASY during the day. The problem starts in the early evening...from 6pm onwards (sometimes earlier) all he wants to do is feed and I can't get him back to sleep until after 11!!

He's not crying, he just wants to feed, smile, be cuddled. He happily sleeps during the day, often sleeping from one feed to the next with minimal activity.

How can I get him to sleep in the evenings? When does cluster feeding end?

I'm lucky in that if he does cluster feed alot he'll sleep from 11.30ish until after 6am...

My EASY today was as follows:

E 6.30
S 7.30
E 10.30
S 12
E 2.30
S 3.00
E 6.30
S 7.30
E 9.00 ongoing!

TIA

Shauna x

[Shiv52]

Have you tried cluster feeding earlier? 

8 weeks is also early to be on 4 hourly feeds.  Was he not feeding well at 3 hours? 

[ShaunaD]

We were out and about so I think the movement kept him asleep...he is normally 3hrs between feeds.

The day before he cluster fed from 4pm and still didn't finish until 11!!

I'm just going to resign myself to doing EASY during the day until he starts to sleep through.

If I did shh/pat or PU/PD for his cat naps does it count if he spends the whole time awake? I don't know how long to try if he's fighting it?

Thanks again

Shauna xx

[Shiv52]

OK!  That makes sense!!

The cluster feeding is a great way for them to get calories into them and if he's lasting that big stretch at night already then thats great.   My DD1 would have fed the evening away too.   is he actively sucking the whole time?  Or do you think he is comfort sucking.  He's still very little so I would'nt worry too much if you are ok with it. 

HOw long is his A time on the 3 hour routine? 

And if you are trying fo a sleep and he doesn't sleep it still count as A time.  I would stick to ssh-pat as PU/PD is too stimualting at this age. 

[ShaunaD]

His A time is about an hour each time...from start of feed to next nap time. He's a lazy bones!!

I'd be happy to feed from 7 onwards as my DD goes to sleep then. He is really good at settling to sleep himself in the morning and afternoon - it's just the evening and I don't know what I'm doing wrong or if he is just a bit young yet.

[Shiv52]

An hour is about right I'd say.  And at this stage its so hard to try and shorten A time after a short nap as its so short as it is!! 

Amazing he's self settling for naps!  What a clever baby!!

I'd say he's young yet so try not to worry.  Do keep an eye on comfort sucking vs nutritive sucking and you shouldn't run into too many issues.

Its quite nice to have the time with him after DD is in bed.  I love even now when my DD1 is in bed and I get an hour with the baby to snuggle and feed in peace rather than feed and put her down which i tend to have to do during the day!

[ShaunaD]

If I get him in his crib by 3rd yawn he'll put himself over 80% of the time...otherwise I'll nurse him until he's nearly over and then put him down.

Thanks for your advice...will go easy on myself lol

[kateboundy]

I am having exactly the same here. She feeds around 5, sleeps at 6 with a top up then wakes at 7, feeds and goes down around 8 after a quick top up .. But we have done this pattern for another couple of hours recently so I know exactly what you mean. Think it is normal ... My lo is 6 weeks.