Need Help With EASY

[shellkendall]

I just started EASY yesterday.  My baby is 5 weeks (tomorrow) and before EASY was getting up to 5 oz every 4 hours.  She was 9lb 4oz at birth.  Like I said, I started EASY yesterday and am now trying to give her 4 oz every 3 hours.  I had trouble getting her to eat the whole 4 oz this morning.  Am I doing the righ thing?

Also, she takes great naps in the day time, but I had a LOT of trouble getting her to take an evening nap.  Tracy says not to let the baby cry...what do I do when she is VERY upset and crying while trying to calm her for a nap?

If the baby wakes up early from a nap, should I try to get her to fall back asleep by doing Four S?  Shall I do the same if she wakes up during the night or at 5 a.m. for the day?

Any suggestions are much appreciated!!!

[marlowho]

Trying to figure out- is your baby nursing or formula fed?  This makes a difference about timing b/c you want to make sure she's eating enough.  But it sounds like maybe you're doing formula?

With a baby that young, definitely try for a routine, but they still need lots of cuddles and mommy time- especially if they're crying. So don't be too worried about holding her,etc..- even if she falls asleep in your arms- you still have time to teach her independent sleep.

Congrats on your lo! 
I hope you get more responses- but knowing for sure if she's bfed or formula fed will help.

[shellkendall]

Thank you SO much for your reply!

She is bottle fed.  I was feeding her up to 5 oz every 4 hours before I started EASY.  The doctor also mentioned that he wanted her to eat less.  So, I have been giving her 4 oz every 3 hours on EASY. 

Today was much better for the feedings.  I realized that she was not eating properly because she was sleeping through the feeds.  But, like I said, today was much better.  She had 4 oz for each feeding except the second cluster feed. 

Are they supposed to have the same amount at cluster feeds as they do during the day.  Also, if she wakes up, lets say, at 2 a.m., should I feed her again or try to put her back to sleep?

Thanks, again!!!

[marlowho]

You know, I'm not really sure.  (I haven't done formula and I know there are differences.)  I would guess that they would take a little less for cluster feeds b/c they're just trying to add in some extra calories before bed.  Also, the 2 am feeding could still be hunger at 5 weeks, so definitely feed if you think she's hungry.  But my guess is that a few more days/maybe weeks on this new schedule and she might drop that 2 am feeding.  Just my hunch.
So glad that this is starting to fall in place for you! A 3 hr. EASY sounds about right for a formula fed 5 week old.  And I hope you're not stressing too much about the independent sleep yet.  (I'm speaking from experience, b/c that's what I did and really in just a few weeks she was so much easier and sleep trained more naturally.)
Kiss those sweet baby cheeks!

[shellkendall]

Thank you SO much!  I truly appreciate your input.  To be honest, I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.  She was actually sleeping better before I started EASY, which makes doing this very difficult for my husband and I.  I know it is only day two, but I am so sleep deprived and frustrated.  I just really hope that I am doing the right thing.

Crossing my fingers! 

Thanks again!

Maeve's Mommy