Staying on 3 hour routine with short naps

[Kato684]

Hi all! I have an 8 week old who is on a 3 hr routine most of the time. The issue I run into is she sometimes wakes from her naps after 1.5 hours but cannot stay away longer than 60 min at a time. This leaves 30 min in the routine unaccounted for (example - wake at 7 to eat, activity 7:30-8, sleep at 8 she will wake again at 9:30, but doesn't need to eat again until 10. I should mention she doesn't wake hungry, she just doesn't take consistent 2 hr naps). How do you all handle this? Feed her when she wakes early even though she may not be hungry yet (and thus throwing off the 3 hr routine?)? Let her sit quietly for 30 min prior to eating so it's not really "S" but not quite "A" either? I'm at a loss so any suggestions welcome. Thank you!!

[jessmum46]

Hi and welcome   My best advice would be just not to overthink it.  Sounds like you are doing great!  If she wakes a bit early and isn't hungry immediately, wait a few minutes and feed when she is.  AEAS isn't a problem   Her A time starts when she wakes up so count from then so you know when next nap should be, and get a feed in before the nap is due.  If that means at parts of the day she goes a little longer between feeds than 3h, and at other times shorter, it's ok.

Just as an example

WU 7 and E
Nap 8-9.30
E 10
Nap 10.30-12
E and S both due at 1pm....so feed a bit early, say 12.30/45 depending on how quick she feeds
Nap 1.30-3
E 3/when she wakes (so slightly longer than 3h feed cycle).....and you are back on the EAS track

Hope that helps x

[Kato684]

Thank you so much for the response! I definitely need to not overthink it, that's my biggest thing to work on. I have a hard time walking that line between listening to my baby and guiding the baby without being too overbearing. Appreciate your advice!