20 wo early waking problem

[fionaerin]

Hi,
It's my first post in this forum as finally I decided to get opinions for our problems. We are implementing EASY for our 20 wo DD for about 2 months. She is an independent sleeper since 16 wo and BF baby. Our main problem is early waking since she's born. I think it can be a habitual issue but also due to accidental parenting as we are taking her in our bed when she wakes up at 4.30/5.30 am. I tried her to turn back to sleep in her cot but her sleep is too light at that time so I cannot succeed unless we take her with us with my DH and pat on her back. So basically we are patting when she is awake in the early mornings and she is sleeping till 5.15/6 am.
I would like to share my sample EASY routine from yesterday. Although she is on 4 hour EASY, she is eating more frequently as she could be in GS. One day is not same to the other as I am extending her naps but cannot succeed all the time, and her WU times are different from 4.30 to 05.30 am, sometimes we can extend but sometimes not.
She is 45 min napper but I try to extend 2 of them and mostly succeed in these days.

WU:05.15
E 05.45
A
E 07.45 (she was so hungry again)
S 08.00 - 10.00 (extended after 45 min) (I tried to keep her till 8 am to continue for a decent daily routine)
E 10.30
A
S 12.25 - 14.10 (extended after 45 min)
E 14.30
A
S 16.30 - 17.10
E 17.30
A (incl. bath)
E 18.45
S 19.00-
E 22.15 DF
E 02.45 (she woke up at 02.45 and back to sleep at 03.05)
WU 05.40(wake up at 05.00 and extended till 05.40 but couldn't succeed more...)

A times were high yesterday but mostly we have 2 h and still she wakes up very early...
I thought we can try wake to sleep but I believe she wakes up in 1 hour again as her sleep is very light after 4 am.
Can you please share your opinions as I don't know what to do???
Thank you!

[becj86]

I'd try to increase your A times a little. Also maybe try putting her down for a nap when she acts hungry in the morning - I suspect she may actually be tired then and you're mistaking the signs like so  many of us do. Best to get her into a good routine and then push it later in the day.

You could be heading for this: All about the 3-2 transition- 5/6 months

This may be helpful: Tips for darkening a bedroom

[fionaerin]

Hello,
I increased A times as you suggested to 2.5 hours and for last 5 days we follow almost same routine as below:

WU: 05.30
E 07.00
A
S 08.00 - 09.40
E 10.50
A
S 12.00 - 13.40
A
E 14.30
A
S 16.00 - 16.45
E 17.00
A
E 19.00
BT 19.15
DF 22.15

She is still waking up at around 04.30 first and I am patting her to go back to sleep till 05.30. Do you think if I still need to adjust our EASY routine?
Also she started to wake up just before DF for last 4 nights. Is there any solution for that?

Thanks for help!

[becj86]

Its perfectly reasonable to feed at 4:30 after she's slept from the DF at this age - you may even get a later WU then too. 5:30 - 7:15 is not a sustainable length day, it should be closer to 12hr.

Not sure about waking just before DF - I never had any success with it... I'd probably just feed when she wakes rather than hanging out for a DF time.

[fionaerin]

Thanks for quick reply. I forgot to mention that I already feed her at around 2-2.30 am. Normally she shouldn't be hungry at that time but she always acts as hungry and takes full meal. So she is not hungry when she wakes at 4.30.
I am also worried for day length as it is too long for her.

 

[becj86]

So why is she getting up at 5:30? Are you burping her after the 2:30 feed? Perhaps try lying back for that feed - its often the one when your supply is highest and sometimes bub takes in air while feeding... wakings 2-3hr after can be related to gas discomfort... Just an idea.

Growth spurt? There are loads of them around this age - when did she start these wakings in the early hours of the morning? Can you not resettle at 5:30?

Could it be light coming into her room and waking her?

[fionaerin]

Hello,

I've tried things you suggested, burping after feed, preventing light in the morning. Now she is still waking at 02.30 am for feed and waking again 4 something happily and going back to sleep in 45 min by herself till 06.45.
A times are 2.20h as I cannot keep her more.
Do you think we need more A time?
Also how I can wean 2.30 feed as she is not so hungry when she wakes in the morning?

[becj86]

Can you write out the day for me again? Just can't quite get what's happening straight in my head. Here's what I think I'm reading:
6:45 wake
9:05 - nap
10:35 - wake
12:55 - nap
2:25 - wake
4:45 - nap
5:15 - wake
7 - bedtime
10:15 - dreamfeed
2:30ish - night feed
4:30ish - happy night waking for ~45min
5:15-6:45 - sleep

If that's right, then the long happy waking is called a cot party and indicative of UT - so yes, increasing the A time, at least in the morning is the way to go.

[fionaerin]

Thank you for reply!
Our routine is exactly what you wrote below. Then I will increase the A time to 2.5h first and will see.
She wakes just before DF for some days but not everyday, do you think should I drop it or try w2s?

[becj86]

I think get your A times right a see if that waking goes - a 3hr waking can often be from UT.