Hi Stefanie
I'll do my best to tackle each question - please let me know if I miss anything!
1) After two weeks, should we be seeing more progress? He's doing pretty good at naps, he typically will put himself to sleep or we PU/PD for less than 10 minutes. Nighttime can take anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour of PU/PD. I feel this is still quite long after we've been diligent for a couple weeks.
I think this is likely because his routine isn't quite right yet, and he is not yet getting proper restorative naps. I suspect some routine tweaking (see below) will help with this
2) We still are having trouble getting through the 45 minute sleep cycle. I often sit in his room and shush/pat when he stirs. Is this something that typically will self-correct with time? I hear it can be a sign of overtired, but I'm unsure how to correct.
It can be OT/UT, not being an independent sleeper, or just developmental! Very frustrating....The first 2 can be sorted fairly easily with routine tweaks, hopefully consistently doing PUPD for the start of naps will deal with independent sleep, and the last reason they just have to grow out of! Often happens by around 6 months so hang in there
3) The naps are 1.5 hours max (typically with PU/PD in the middle). How do I get him to the 2 hour mark? He's happy after 1.5 hrs and I'll PU/PD for the remainder but he just screams.
If he's doing 1.5h that's fine - some babies (typically those who are a bit lower sleep needs) only need a 1.5h nap and won't do the standard 4h EASY. You just need to be a bit creative with the routine. DD never did 2h naps, always 1.5h so we would have either had some slightly longer A times or a slightly longer 3rd nap to compensate. I certainly wouldn't bother with PUPD at that point, if he's slept a good restorative 1.5h and is happy, start your next EAS cycle.
4) He really fights the shush/pat. He sticks his arm out and flails his body so I can't pat his back. At that point, I'll pick up. Any suggestions what to do with a baby who fights it?
Again, avoiding OT or UT will help here. But you can modify shh pat in any way you want - you don't have to do it 'by the book'. Safe sleep recommendations are to place a baby to sleep on their back, so you can use a hand across the body to pat the opposite hip, or just stroke Los head, rest a hand on their tummy - whatever works really as long as it is something you can slowly wean.
5) Nighttime, if I do PU/PD for 40 minutes (or longer), should I take a break and feed him? I'm concerned because I know he likes to tank up before bed, sometimes I think he is crying because he's wanting more calories. I can't distinguish between the cries and I'm uncertain at what point to feed, or to keep on doing it. I definitely don't want to build a habit and teach him that if he cries for an hour he gets food, but at the same token - what's the point if he will go down better after a feed. I'm confused on this one.
I personally would concentrate on ensuring a good feed before bed, and then not stop the PUPD halfway to feed again. If he's fed properly less than an hour ago, he isn't hungry and you will have more confidence in continuing
You can always feed at a night waking if you feel he needs it, but I agree stopping after 40 mins is confusing. All that said, I do think routine tweaks will help and hopefully get rid of those long PUPD sessions anyway.
6) The book says not to go by the clock.. but it also says to go by the clock. LOL. I have to fight to keep him happy the last 20 minutes or so before naps, but again - is that something that will naturally work itself out or would I get more success putting him down earlier?
So I think perhaps you may have got a little confused (not uncommon!!) - the section about sticking rigidly to the clock is ONLY for LOs who have never been on EASY, or any structured routine, using PUPD to establish a routine for the very first time. It doesn't apply to LOs like yours who have been used to the EAS principle
Looking at the routine, just a few thoughts:
- what about leaving him until he wakes naturally in the morning? EASY is a routine, not a schedule so a bit of variation is fine
He may start the day better rested if you try that? (Or at least maybe allow a 'window' or 6.30-7.30am as a start point?)
- his second sleep is perhaps a bit late, I'd bring his second A time back to 2 hours for now. If he gets a better second nap, then has 2h A time again, you may get a better third nap too.
- consider bringing bedtime earlier when naps haven't gone well - at the moment his A time before bed is a bit long after a short nap, it's often closer to the 1.5h mark after a catnap - so maybe 6pm may suit him better right now.
Just to give you an idea of a 4h EASY with 1.5h naps:
E 7
A 2h
S 9-10.30
(A)
E 11
A (2h total)
S 12.30-2
A
E 3
A (2h total)
S 4-5/5.30
A
E and BT 7-7.30ish
What do you think?
