Thank you so much for all the support! I think someone heard my pleas, because the night that I posted this, my LO ended up sleeping 5.5 hours! It was a great night...but then he hasn't done it again since. I have now noticed that I've fed him at precisely 1:30 am 5 out of 7 days this week. He'll start the night with a long stretch (5.5 hours being the record, but usually around 4 hours - which I am still pretty happy with!) and then sleep another 2h20m, then maaayyybe another 1.5 hours. I do use the pat-shush method when he needs extra settling in the day and at night where necessary (he's a cross between a textbook and spirited baby, I'd say, so he definitely needs the extra attention if I miss his window).
He does usually give me a burp during his NFs, but I think he's always dealing with a little gas anyway. He has quite a screechy cry when that's what's bothering him. I think I will try to settle him without feeding for those shorter shifts because I know he is able to go 4 hours now. I won't push my luck with 2 back-to-back 5h sleeps, though!
Does anyone know if there is an increased almost cluster-y need to feed after that prolonged period of sleep? Like, after he sleeps 5.5 hours, should I just expect that he's going to need 2 quicker cycled feeds?
Thank you again for your help!! I really appreciate it. I was so sad to hear about Tracy's passing. I had no idea and always felt like if things got bad I could somehow find her for help. I'm so glad that this community is here! And it's so fitting that it's as supportive as I feel she would have been. Thanks everyone!!!