Early Waking (between 5-6), what to do?

[BobbysMummy]

Hi
My lo is 18 weeks old and over the last week has been waking between 5-6am, usually around the 5.30 mark and doesn't want to go back to sleep. Should I be considering pushing his bed time back? Or what action should I be taking to try and push him back to a 6-7am wake up? We really struggle with any routine as he is a terrible 30-45 min napper, but this was today:

WU - 5.30am (left in cot until 6.10, as he actually fell back to sleep with the aid of a dummy)
A
E - 7am
A
S - 8.10 - 9.40 (this is very very rare!!!)
A
E - 10.30
A
S - 11.45 (40 min nap in pram)
A
E - 2pm
S - 2.20 - 3 (was so tired fell asleep half was throug feed)
E - finished his 2pm feed
A
E - 5pm
Bath, TU, bed - 6pm
Asleep - 6.45

Every day is so different though, there is no consistency.

I'm going to give him a DF tonight, something I've only done twice, because he hasn't been having much milk at all over the past few days so I want to get some extra calories into him.

Does anyone have any advice? Please don't read and run... I'm a FTM and need all the advice I can get x

[lauradj]

Hi there and welcome to BW!!  There's no nice way to say it, the short nap phase blows, and you're right in the thick of it I'm afraid. How's that for a pep talk?!    The good news is, it does pass but it's rough while it's happening.  I think it lasted for a full month for me with my first, but only a week or two with my second.  The best you can do is try to use Shh-Pat or PU/PD to resettle your LO but if it's not working, just let it go and move forward with they day.  Do try to keep a record of the EASY, as best you can, because it will help you see when things start to improve or if there is something happening you can't see in the moment.  I use an app called Baby Tracker which is free and awesome!   
It looks like your LO is awake for 2 hrs, which is right on schedule.  You could try pushing his A time to 2.25 hrs but I would hold off for now to see how things iron out over the next week or so.
I'm a huge advocate of the DF.  I have to admit I was leary of it at first with DS1 because I was scared of waking him but it worked well and I kept it up until he was 7 months.  I'm still doing the DF with DS2 and again, it's worked well for me.  You need to give it a solid week to see if it makes a difference but I think it'll likely help.
I hope some of this helps.  Let me know if you have more questions!

[BobbysMummy]

Hi Laura,

Thank you so much for replying. He's been having short naps for about 2 months now, maybe longer. We've had another 5.30am wake up today too... Which means he will be ready for his first nap at 7.30 :-( which means a long day of 40 min naps. So you have any suggestions on how to help him sleep a little longer in the morning, if he got to past 6am that would be great! Would putting his bed time back 15 mins maybe help?

Also, the dream feed, I did this last night and he took it quite well. He stayed asleep and took 4oz (not a lot but he's not a big drinker at the moment). He's gone through until 5.30 with 2 night wakes up but these were resolved with his dummy and Ewan the dream sheep... Is that the right thing to do?! BUT I gave him the feed and then put him back down and came into my room to check on the monitor he was definitely asleep, only to find him having what looked like a fit! I ran back in his room picked him up and milk shot out of his nose! I'm guessing he was choking?!? This has really really scared me and put me off doing DF's I think! I didn't wind him as I read not too, would this possibly have not happened if I winded him?

[lauradj]

Oh hon, that is so scary!  I've experienced that myself with DS2 and both DH and I were pretty much in tears.  In our case it was coupled with slow weight gain and ended up being reflux.  I don't know if the two automatically go hand in hand but you might want to ask your GP at your next visit, or make an appointment.  Having said that, if he hasn't been diagnosed with it yet, you're probably in the clear. 
I do wind DS2, though very gently.  I just shift him from my arms onto my knee and that usually brings about a burp almost immediately, then I move him onto my shoulder to take him back to his crib and any remaining bubbles pop out then.  You could also try rubbing a hand up the left side of his back, while he's on your shoulder.  That's not jarring and usually gets the bubbles out.
What does he do when he wakes at 5:30?  Is he happy chatting away in his crib or does he get agitated and start to cry and scream?  If he's just lying there or chatting, I'd leave him until as close to 7am as possible, if he's getting upset, try to resettle him with Shh-Pat.  Some babies are just early risers but sometimes you can teach them that wake up is at a more reasonable hour. 
Seeing as you've been dealing with these for awhile I wonder if you're LO has low sleep needs?  If that's the case, you could try pushing him for a longer A time to see if that helps.  Try for 2.25 hrs and see if that helps?  You'll need to give it a solid week before you see a difference. 

[BobbysMummy]

Thanks again for your reply!!
DS had been diagnosed with reflux, he's on gaviscon (causing severe constipation) and lactalose (to help with constipation). We're seeing a specialist in early September, out doc has referred us as he's clueless!
It was so scary last night!! I was close to tears. Do you think I should continue with the DF but make sure a burp? Just put him to level tears today as he's really not been drinking a lot lately, he seems to have taken more today but will use old teat for DF as don't want him choking!
When he wakes at 5.30 he is ok for about 5 mins but then starts getting agitated and crying and wanting to be up. We've tried giving him a dummy and putting Ewan on (this works for his night waking) but it doesn't work. Sounds silly, but when I Shhh and pat where do I pay? As he sleeps on his back.
Do you think putting his bed time back 15 mins or so might help? Is is his bath at 6, bottle at 6.20 and sleep by 6.45 ish ok?
Final question (sorry!!!), I don't think he can handle 2.5 hrs A time after his first wake, but maybe in the day he can. Could I try 2 hours A time after first wake and then 2.5 rest of the day? Should I go straight from his current 2 to 2.5 or try 2.15 first? Just had such a flight getting him so sleep after 3hrs A time (we've had guests and everything went out the window :-( ), but he's finally having a nap.
Thanks again Laura, you don't know how much I appreciate the advice!!

[lauradj]

Ok, knowing now that he has reflux, these are the things we do to help DS2.  His mattress is elevated, he sleeps on his left side (right side tends to aggravate reflux, something about the way the stomach is positioned) and he's on raniditine which works really well for us.  Even though he's 5 months old, I still have him on a #2 nipple because if he drinks too fast, he throws it all back up.  I have to give him soy formula but it sounds like you're able to breast feed?  Either way, I would definitely make sure you get a good burp out before he goes to bed.  Regarding bed time, most babies can't handle more than an 11-12hr day, maximum, so if your DS is waking early, I'd put him to bed a little earlier so he doesn't become OT.  Reflux babies do sometimes have difficulty resettling if their discomfort isn't under control, and this could be the case with your LO, especially as it's been going on so long.  The rule of thumb with reflux babies, do whatever you need to to get them to sleep.  You can fix the sleep issues later, if they're still there but baby's comfort is the most important thing.  If your GP is a twit, definitely get a good paediatrician.  The fact that your GP recognizes their lack of knowledge in this area is a good sign though