Hi Everyone,
I've been lurking for some time and have learned alot from this forum. I have a couple of issues with DD that I can't seem to resolve and I am hoping to get some advice.
A little bit of background info - in case it helps!
DD was born 10 days early - just under 6lbs and was about 5 1/2lbs when she came home from the hospital. We exclusively BF for 3 weeks but then I started EPing due to horrific damage and bad latch. We did try on several attempts to get back on the breast and weren't successful at that until she was about 2 months old. She will now be 3 months in a week. She is now EBF except for her dream feed bottle. I want to add that I think she is getting full feedings due to the fact that I have a generous supply and she is gaining weight well (gained 2lbs in the last 3 weeks) She has pretty much doubled her birthweight by now.
We started 3 hr EASY at 4 weeks. It seemed to work instantly and perfectly (previously DD was up all night screaming to the point we thought she might be colic).
Naps were great 1 1/2-2 hours and she started sleeping 5-6 hour stretches through the night.
Fast forward to the last few weeks...
Naps are now 45 minutes long (sometimes only 30). DD wakes up from her nap but isn't crying and will just lay in her crib seemingly happy. I've tried ssh-pat (from about 7 weeks on this seems to set her off and she will start crying but worked like a charm early on), I've tried picking her up and sitting with her in the rocker and patting her back until she is sleepy and putting her back down (does not work). and I've tried just leaving her in her crib to see if she will put herself back to sleep (also doesn't work - I tried once leaving her for the whole nap and she just cooed and looked around)
I might add that she is great at initially falling asleep for naps - under 15 minutes and sometimes even within a minute of putting her down.
My second issue is the need for a dream feed. Since going back to the breast, DD will only drink 1.5 oz for a DF. (given between 10:30 and 11 - last feed at 8pm. Previously would drink 4 oz). It is a struggle to get her to drink 1.5 oz. She goes down usually between 7:30 and 8:30pm and sleeps until 6:30-7am. My question is - does she need a DF - she is only 3 months old!
My most concerning thing is the nap issue. I would like to try and stretch her feedings. She never gives me hunger cues and barely ever cries so I never know when she is truly hungry since she is such a happy baby.
Any advices would be greatly appreciated. So sorry for the long post!
