switching from 3 to 4 hr easy - less food??

[aj's mom]

I am just working on getting DD, now 4 months old into the 3 hr easy - I was still doing the 2 hr thing and realized I needed to change that since she was waking a lot at night.  I am thinking that in the next few weeks I will gradually put her on the 4 hr easy since it seems most 4 month old babies are on it, but I was curious... If I put her on a 4 hr easy, she will be getting fed every 4 hrs, correct?  And if so, that will be less feedings than on the 3 hr easy so how do I know she is getting enough??  DD is very easily distracted or uninterested in food after eating for a couple of minutes so it is a huge process to get her to eat for 20 minutes - I bring her into a dark room, etc but even then she is lazy and doesn't care to eat, but if I don't force her to, she is hungry after 2 hrs! 

How do I make sure she is getting enough food on a 4 hr easy and sleeping well at night?

[daisymelan]

For me the tranisition depended on my lo.  It was a very gradual process and took likely a month to fully transition.  I wouldn't stress the 3 or 4 hours so much as your dd's cues.  If she is ready to transition you may notice that she is sleeping longer so that you will be feeding her at 3 hours 15 minutes, etc.  A 4 hour EASY does mean fewer feeds so you need to have a good nurser who will be filled for four hours.  You will know she is getting enough by how wet her nappies are and if she is satisfied and not looking to feed sooner.  If you just recently made the transition from 2 to 3 hours, there is a good chance she may need to stay at 3 for a bit longer.

Please don't follow what most babies are on, just follow your baby's lead.  Some are ready for a 4 hour EASY and some never make it or else make it many months later. 

It sounds like you are working hard to follow BW.  Good for you, it has worked wonders for my lo. 

Let us know how you're making out and if you have any other questions or concerns.

[Samuel's mum]

I completely agree with the post above! Wait until you get natural cues from your baby. It will happen eventually.

[Roselyn]

Hi... I'm new to this site.  My baby just turned 4 mos and I have been on a pretty good 2 hr nursing sched EASY with him.  He was nursing every 2hrs almost like clockwork.  I read the original post and think I'm in the same situation.  I think my 4 mos old should be on a 3hr EASY by now, right?

I just wanted clarification then --- if I follow my baby's cues and slowly stretch out from a 2hr to a 3hr EASY, that means that there will be a lot of variability throughout the days as to what time he eats, how long he plays and when he naps.  Is that right to assume?  Then I assume things will start to stabilize on a set routine right?  I'm a bit confused.

Will the length of naps change too or stay at roughly 1.5hrs?  I'm currently dealing with the dreaded 45 min naps.  Today is the first day I'm trying PUPD/Shhpat to extend his naptimes and it's been working out pretty well.  Tough work but I'm trying!  I've gotten him to move to a 2.5hr EASY today.

[daisymelan]

Roselyn

{{{{hugs}}}}}   Sounds like you're working hard for you lo.

There could be a lot of variability through the day.  That's how I do it wiht my lo.  Some mom's follow the clock a little more rigidly, but with my lo bf one, I find it easiest just to follow his leads.  Sometimes they stick to a more rigid routine, but sometimes they're all over the map.

Yes, the naps should still be 1.5 - 2 hours.  And yes, it is the dreaded 45 minute naps.  Have you tried wake to sleep to break the cycle?  It may work if the 45 minute naps are like clockwork. 

2.5 hours is great for your first day.  A lot of times los need to adjust slowly to the new routine, but if you are both happy, keep it up!!

Hope this helps!

[JacobMarksMummy]

I have to agree with the others, my little one gradually transitioned up the hours by himself. In the begining I treid to force him but it didnt work. I'd say he was going around 2.5 at about your DD age. Dont worry, just relax and it shud happen in its own time. 

[Roselyn]

Thank you for your quick reply and encouragement!!!

Can you clarify the "wake to sleep" theory to deal with the 45 min nap?

[asher and noël's mama]

how can you tell if they are transitioning to a longer routine on their own?  do they just go longer between feeds?  i usually feed my dd on the three hour mark, so i may not be able to tell when she is able to go longer.  she is only three months right now, so i have some time.  just wondering how i will know, what the the cues?

[daisymelan]

Roselyn, There are two things that may work in your case.  Basically going into their room before the dreaded 45 minutes and pat/sh when they start to wake up, thus keeping them asleep.  Wake to sleep is when you stir them a bit so they wake up and therefore start a new sleep cycle, but I think that is more a way to solve night time sleep... sorry for suggesting it earlier.  I think the first option will be the best and I know ppl that swore by it to get their los over the 45 minute hump.

Asher and Noel's mama, I knew my lo was ready for a longer EASY as he was having a lot more A time without showing signs of being tired.  Then when I put him for his nap sometimes he'd sleep the same amount or he would stretch his nap out longer. 

[asher and noël's mama]

thanks for clarifying jodie!

roselyn... in the naps section there is a posting by someone from another book, similar to tracy's bw, about stretching naps.  and they do use the wake to sleep method.  it sounds pretty rigorous.  it talks about going it the moment the stir, way before crying, and sh/patting them, or whatever you do to get them to sleep in their bed until the are back to deep sleep.  it speaks of having to do this for several days to show results. 

~kellie

[First Time Mom]

I agree with following their cues as well. My dd is 3 months and was feeding 3 hours and napping 45 minutes. I tried to "renap" her and it will only work for the first morning nap (she'll nap 2 hours). Because of her long wake up time and 2 hour first nap she goes 4 hours after her 1st feed and 3 for each feed after. On the naps- my dd would not re-nap for her other naps and she was quite happy to be up and playing so they are fine on some 45 minute naps if they are happy. In this case we do EASAE to maintain the 3 hours. I think they will go to longer feeds on their own and it may be one feed at a time and it may not be a full hour at a time. As for re-napping, I tried to go in just as she started to stir (35-40 mark) but it did not work for her, I have to go in earlier so if you have a problem try backing it up 5 minutes at a time.