4 month old waking to feed 3 times a night

[claire1711]

I have a 4 month old currently on 4 hour easy. Goes down for naps no problem and has around 2hour A time.  Every day easy varies due to whatever time the first feed is.  He was sleeping 8 hours at night but in the last 3 weeks he has started waking up to 3 times a night to feed.  He is exclusively breastfeeding plus a bottle of ebm around 10.30pm
I have a 2yr old too and this waking is driving me crazy.  Does any growth spurt last this long?
I've tried dream feeding and cluster feeding none of which make any  difference.  I am considering trying formula at night which I really didn't want to do but I need to get more than 2 hours sleep at a time. 
Really hope someone has some ideas.
Getting to the point where I can't express in the mornings any more coz he has fed so much at night.
Thanks

[claire1711]

Just to add to this he has started having green poos, I read this could be due to more fore milk and less hind milk, is this true and how do I change it? I already do one side per feed and I let him feed as long as he wants to.  Any ideas? !

[*Ali*]

Have you tried resettling at night without feeding if it has been less than 3-4hrs since the last feed?
How does your LO go to sleep? Independently or does he have any props like feeding, rocking etc.?
Did this coincide  with the move to 4hrly feeds? Just wondering if he needs an extra feed in the day as many can't go 4hrs at this age.

[claire1711]

He screams if not fed at night but can settle with a little ssh pat during the day and at bed time.  Didn't directly coincide with 4hr feeds but wondering if I should drop to 3 or 3.5 hr feeds even if I have to wake him up for that?

[*Ali*]

Is it every 3hrs like clockwork he is waking? I'm wondering if you could utilise wake to sleep and then it might be easier to resettle without a feed.

What is your easy? Maybe we could help you work out a way to fit more feeds in around naps.

[claire1711]

No, , every day is different.  Easy during the day is 4hr almost clockwork.  He has around 2hrs A time and 2hr nap and I feed when he wakes.  At night its totally random.
In desperation I have bought some formula but I feel like a failure to use it.  I'm really getting myself in a mess which i know doesn't help.

[*Ali*]

You aren't a failure. This is probably nothing to do with your breastfeeding or milk. Formula won't necessarily make a difference and could cause digestive upset so it isn't an easy fix. Many mamas use formula and they are still great mamas

Is the third nap a CN? How long is he awake after that?

[claire1711]

I know but I feel like that coz whatever I do he isn't satisfied.
Normally last nap around an hr then feed bath little bit of A time and bed. Tonight he has been crying since 8 and won't settle at all. He's fed, burped, pooed, new nappy.

[claire1711]

I desperately need my sleep and I've got to be up with my other son all day tomorrow.

[claire1711]

Btw its mostly my husband that wants to give formula he doesn't see thr point of purely breastfeeding if he isn't settled with it

[*Ali*]

Do you think it is possible he is getting too much day sleep? What about capping that last nap at 40-45mins (even 30 if that doesn't work) just so it is enough to get through bedtime and keep the day to a reasonable length? When we moved to a 4hr EASY the end of the day was 45 min CN, 1hr15 A time and then BT BF and BT.

The formula is of course completely your choice. You may wish to read this FAQ on why EBFing for 6 months is advised when possible. Just in case you want a reason to give your DH Exclusive Breastfeeding and Solids Introduction

[claire1711]

Thank you for all your help I really appreciate it x

[claire1711]

Do you know if there are any examples of 4 month old easys to look at?
Thanks

[*Ali*]

There are some sample EASYs here chronological EASY samples, 4-6 months
The third one listed under 4mo is pretty textbook and the sort of thing I was thinking might work for you

[claire1711]

Great that really looks like it would work.  Will try and cap the cat nap tomorrow and see what happens.  He's just fallen asleep so here's hoping for a bit of rest now.