I'm done and don't know what to do anymore

[Bella89]

We're always here if you need anything
Good to hear everything is going better

[Reethepea]

Hi again ladies, I'm after some more advice. Our EASY has gone to pot and I'm not sure where to start. The problem started just after she hit 12 weeks. She is now exclusively formula fed and was refusing or only taking an once of milk a time when offered to eat 3 hourly. I initially moves her to 3.5 hourly but by time we battled to get her to eat it was 4 hourly. I thought I would roll with it and on days when naps are good this isn't a problem but when naps are bad(45 mins) and unable to resettle. The whole thing goes out the window. She is now refusing her bedtime bottle and just wants to sleep. 

Our easy yesterday looked like this
Wu and e- 6am
A
S 7.45
E-10am
A
S-11.45
E-2pm
A
S-catnapped in car- tried to continue in cot at home but failed gave up at 3pm

A
S offered nap again at 4pm gave up at 4.45

She was completely grumpy by 5.30 so bedtime routine started, refused to eat at 6pm- cried hysterically every time offered, settled with dummy and asleep by 6.15pm
I was expecting her to wake later so I could offer feed but she didn't.
22.30- dd

Today was similar although we have had lots of 45 minute naps- resettled then got another 30mins out of her. We also got a cat nap between 4 and 4.30pm but bedtime was the same issue as yesterday- no feed taken 😢.

She is 14 weeks on Monday. Thank you in advance x

[Bella89]

I think she was too tired to eat there, honey.
Is she taking full portions now?
so, the nap was 11:45-2:00?

[Reethepea]

Yes, the nap was till about 13.45pm but woke at the 45 min mark and needed resettling.

We are going to try for a cat nap at 5 today, wake at 6 offer first half of feed then bath then other half of feed and then bed at 7. That's the plan anyway. We will see what baby girls ideas are.

[Bella89]

Even with resettling, it's a good nap:/
I know they say feeding is better to be after bath, but I know I never did that with DS.
I think you guys are slowly coming into 4mo sleep regression unfortunately.
If adding some A time didnt work, I think I would just try to be persistent with timings and kind of wait it out. If she is healthy and has no other discomfort.
Sorry, I probably didn't offer any constructed advice.
Maybe someone else will help more.

[Reethepea]

Hi again, thank you for responding. Today I have taken a big risk. After letting her catnap last night she was asleep by 7.45pm. No tired signs through the bed time routine and drifted off with minimal fuss. She did 1.5 hrs A time on a 45 min nap.
So today she woke at 6.30am but I didn't get up till 7 and she fed well. I have bought her down stairs and thought I would just crack get on with the chores of the day and just observe.  Dd2 did not give me any tired signs or fussing till the 1hr 55 mark. I took her up to bed at 8.25 am and she was asleep by 8.35 with a little fussing and crying- let's see what this nap brings. I'm imagining it will be 30mins 😔 As I pushed it too far. I will keep you updated x

[Bella89]

You might be suprized! I'm curious, after all she was up only 2h. That would be my plan-push A time a little.

[Reethepea]

Well after 2 hour a time we had a 45 min nap 😩. Today we have had 2 X 45 min naps and she has been awake since 11.45. We had to go out and didn't get in till 3.15pm so I have put her down for a nap. She Has been down 10 mins and has spent the time shouting- not crying just shouting at me 😂 Looks like she is drifting off though.

And another 45 min nap😩

[Bella89]

Hi,
sorry to hear that:( How are you now?How was yesterday?
I'm on vacation and have bad internet, but I will try to help as soon as possible.

[Reethepea]

Hi, we have definitely hit the 4 month sleep regression but she is also in a wonder week.. Multiple night waking for dummy and awake at 4-5 am for a feed. However 2 hours a time seems to suit dd2 at present(she is 15 weeks on Monday).we are getting at least 1 2hr nap per day and 2-3 45min- 1 hr naps and she is usually in bed asleep with minimal fuss between 6 and 7.

Over the weekend we are going to move her to the travel cot as she is running out of room and moving more in her sleep. I often find her wedged at the side of the Moses basket when she wakes.

Our easy yesterday looked like this
Night feed 5am
Slept till 7.15am
E
A
S- 9.15- 11.15
E
A
S catnapped in car
E- 13.30
A
S 14.00-15.00
A
E- offered at 4pm but didn't want it
A
S 16.14-17.00
E
Bedtime routine
E
S by 7pm
Df 22.15
4 x night waking so settled with dummy
So today so far:

4.30am NF
Wu 7am
E
A
S. 9.05- 11(I woke her up)
A

I really appreciate your continued support and hope you are enjoying your vacation x

[Bella89]

I think you are right to say she might be in a regression. The routine does not look "not fitted" for a baby at that age when I looked at it :/
Plus night wakings are a sign of that. Did she learn how to roll over recently maybe? That is a factor sometimes.
If it doesn't go away, try adding 15-20 min to A time that brings 45min nap, so the one in the afternoon. But you seem to know your baby very well

[Reethepea]

So for 3 days this is what has worked. Not ideal but bubba is very happy. Wakes between 5 and 6 for a feed. If wakes at 5 is happy to go back to bed for between 45 mins and 1.5 hrs. A time 2 hours. 1st nap now 2 hours so goes down for a nap usually between 8 and 9 am. We then go out and I make sure I'm back for at the latest 2pm(she is happy whilst out with the occasional catnap 20 mins max in car seat or buggy) I then put her down and she will sleep for another 2 hours. The latest I let her sleep is till 16.30 pm. Bedtime is between 18.00-1900, depending on how she is.

I cannot believe how much a time she has to have to get good naps. But hey she's happy dd1 and I get some time together. We shall see how it goes

[Bella89]

Sounds like you've found your routine

[Reethepea]

I spoke too soon. The saga continues ... Our day so far
Wu5am for feed- tried to get back to sleep but smiling, happy and chatting got up at 6am
A
S7-8
E 8(took 40mls 😩
A- dropped dd1 to nursery and errands to run)
E 10 full feed taken
A
S -11-11.45 unable to resettle but grumpy within 30mins of wake up
A
S13.15-1400(I put her to bed earlier then normal a time as so grumpy)
E full feed taken
A


I will try and put her up for another nap after I pick dd1 up from nursery but something is still going on 😿
Am I expecting too much or are my expectations too high?

[Bella89]

I don't think you do, to be honest. How old is she now?

I think just stick to the original plan and see how she does tomorrow.

Hmm... I wonder about this happy morning wake up. It really sounds to me like she was just well rested. How long did she sleep for?