4 hour easy and night feeds - need advice

[Tabathagucci]

Hello!

My 4.5 month old in on the 4 hr easy as follows:
E 7 am
A
S 9-10:45

E 11 am
A
S 1:15-3

E 3 pm
A
S 5:15-6

Dream feed at 10 or 10:30
Night feed when he wakes, usually 4:30 or 5

I feel like he is ready to drop either the dream feed or the night feed, but not sure which to do first.  Or if not time to drop, maybe reduce one or the other or move the dream feed back so the night feed is earlier and doesn't interfere with the first morning feed.  When he eats at 4:30 or 5, even if I only nurse him on one side, he takes a lighter feed at 7 am.  Any suggestions would be great, thanks do much!

[amayzie]

That is a beautiful easy you have there!! You have either done some nice work- or have been lucky with a baby that loves the routine! TBH i'd not drop the dream feed if i were you- it's a godsend as it can help to stave off other night wakings. Many babies wake at the time you describe and it can be tricky if they are then refusing the morning feed.

What I did in your situation was just fed him at that early waking (we also had a dream feed) as it was easier than fussing around trying to resettle, and then either just be happy with a lighter 7am feed- or if he was refusing the 7am, just push it a little later- say 8 or so...

At 4.5 months it's hard for all babies to sleep through the night -even from the dream feed- and often they still need that early morning feed. 

[Tabathagucci]

Thanks!  The naps are requiring nap extensions, but less and less each day!  And I have put in hours and hours (waaay too many to count) of work in getting to this point for sure!  It just now seems to be falling ino place, so keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks for the info, I'll stick with what we're doing for now and be patient!  All my friends babies are formula fed and going 8-12 hours at night so I get stuck wanting to keep up, but forget bf babies take a bit longer! 

[amayzie]

Try to work against the 'baby olympics' it can be hard!! And congrats on the hard work paying off- it's a pity no-one comes in and hands you a certificate.. they just say 'oh- but your baby is such a good baby!'- just smile and nod- if only they knew the hours it took!

[Tabathagucci]

You are so right!  Thank you!

[amayzie]

Ha- I just saw your old post in naps- i didn't have time to read the whole thing, but saw lots of 'i don't know what i'm doing' and others saying 'hang in there', and 'hugs' and 'you'll get there'- So great to see when someone has seen a nice improvement! Bet you never thought someone would say you had a 'nice looking EASY' back around christmas time hey!!

(Hmm... how odd that a 'nice easy' is a complement now in BW-mummy land!)

Remember to post a success story! It makes you feel good- and there are others who are looking to be inspired!!

[Tabathagucci]

Thanks!  I will def post a success story.  Just hoping to get one or two naps perfectly in place before I do!  We just today had a successful first nap with no nap extension fr the irst time since we hit the 4 month regression at 18 weeks.  Whew!  Took me a week of diligent work to get it back, but so worth it!

DH once said to me this is not rocket science.  I think it's harder!

[amayzie]

Agreed!