What time should I put LO to bed?

[clarapist]

I do a 3 hour EASY, but haven't been cluster feeding at night. I have only just recently started making a definitive start time (7:30).  Before that, I'd just do 3 hours after he had his first feed, and thus it wasn't working.
I am thinking that after the 7:30pm feed, it's bathtime and down at about 8:30. (This is what we've done for the past 2 nights) We'll do a "dream feed" around 10:30 or 11 and then cross fingers. Last night was the first time he slept almost 5 hours before waking to eat. (Probably just b/c he got his shots)
My question really is this:  Should I expect him to sleep till 7:30 the next morning (with feeds) if he goes down at 8:30?  He took 3 naps today- 2 hours, 1.5 hours, and 45 minutes. 

THANKS
Jill
Mom to Connor, 6/29/06 (almost 9 weeks old)

[Missy Lou]

did you see the routine i posted on your other post? 

at that age, day and night should be split into 12 hours each.  so bedtime should be 12 hours after waking up and their night sleep should be 12 hours.  of course, that's not straight through and unfortunately isn't the way it is a lot of the time.  it's just the way to break up their day and night.  does he usually wake at 7:30?
melissa

[clarapist]

Sorry that I'm posting several similar questions in different places.   Kinda like asking mommy and then daddy. I did see your post with that schedule. I forgot to mention- I'm tryiing to establish a slightly later bedtime b/c DH comes home late from work and wants to be involved with bath, etc. 
No, he doesnt wake at 7:30- unfortunately it's been erratic (but I'm JUST starting to get this routine a little more firm, so maybe that will help.  Lately, he's been waking about an hour after his last overnight feed. 

So, i I feed at 9 AND 11- that's essentially 2 dreamfeeds, right. Just checking.  I need to see how he does for the next few days, b/c today was a GREAT day with naps and EAS timing.  Last night was the first time that he slept 5 hours in a row (last feed (DF) at 10:30, and then slept till 3:15. BUT was wide awake (as if time for A) until 4:15. THEN woke again at 6:00 (which is normal,  b/c was 3 hours after last feed.) So, fed then and then fed again at 7:30 to start the day. 

I think I posted this on another of my posts--- hope this is not annoying!  I just can't keep my topics in order!

[Missy Lou]

no big deal.  i just wanted to see what you thought. 

did you cluster feed last night or just the DF? 

do the basic routine starting at 7:30 like you want and see how that works.  then post back.
melissa

[clarapist]

Thanks-- I'd forgotten to reply. 
We just did/do dreamfeed at 10:30 (which is basically the last feed of the day, 3-ish hours after the 7:30pm)

I'll get back to you.....  G'night. Hopefull he'll sleep again for 5 hours!! 

[clarapist]

Hi wanted to update on the latest. He's not doing E-S anymore, but we're having the 45 minute nap problems. (I've posted in that section, and have been patting/shushing my days away!)  Anyhow, here's what yesterday looked like

I'm still doing 3 hour EASY without Clusters.  I am going to continue this for another week, since I need to give it a while. So, generally on a 7:30 start time- with feeds every 3 hours. Last feed of the night is at 10:30 and it ends up being a dream feed. 

Last feed night before was 1030 pm (4 oz)
E 2:30am (2.25 oz)
E 5:00 (3oz) was moaning, crying for food)
He woke at 6:45 moaning. I'm not sure what that is!
E 7:30 am  3 oz
A till 8:15
S 8:15 then woke at 9:00. Tried patting till about 9:30; didn't work, so took for a ride in the stoller. He fell asleep exactly at 9:45
E 10:30 4 oz
A till 11:45
S 11:45- then awoke at 12:30. Patted till 12:45, woke again, patted till 12:55. Was hungry
E 1:00 3 oz
A till 2
S 2-2:45 (ARRRGGHHH!) Trid patting till 3:10, still wide awake.  Was desperated, so put in swing.  He fell asleep again at about 3:25 and slept till 4:30
E 4:30 4.5 oz
A till 6:00
S 6-6:45, then patted again,
E 7:30-8:00 3.5 oz(Husband home for this one- I had a rehearsal) He basically slept through this feed.
Woke up for bath at 8:00
Asleep by 9:00
DF at 10:45 4 oz

Woke up this morning at 2:45. Tried to put paci to see if he'd go back to sleep, but no dice
E 2:45
Overnight was a PROBLEM- he was moaning and thrashing about from 3am-5am, pretty much. His eyes were pretty much closed. Every time he'd break his swaddle, I'd rewrap him and put paci in.  Finally had a hungry cry at 5:30. I am not sure if it was gas. I just recently started elevating the crib b/c MD thought he might have reflux.

E 5:30 am Went right back to sleep
Normally I start my day at 7:30, but he was sleeping so peacefully, I let him sleep till 8:30 (This is probably b/c of the late bedtime, right?   Not sure how to handle this.

E 8:30
A till 9:30.
S 9:40 (he falls asleep VERY well. Maybe too well? Am I waiting too long?)until 10:20. ARRRGGGHH

It is now 11:00 and I have been patting to no avail since 10:20. He would almost drop off, and then wake right up again, even while patting. He got upset, so I picked him up until he calmed down and then patted again. I might just feed now to start the cycle again.  He is obviously sleepy, and nothing works. 


HEEEELLLLLPPPPPP!!!!

[Missy Lou]

after the 4:30 feed, he should be up until about 5:15 or so and then a short 45 minute nap until 6.  after getting up at 6, he should get his bath, take a bottle and then to bed for night by 7.  i think the catnap from 6 - 6:45 may be too late in the day.  and then after that, he's up for an hour and a half.  that's a long time.  that 10:30 feeding is good and should always be a DF.  don't wake him, let him keep sleeping.

eating twice during the night at 9 weeks is pretty good.  i don't think i got down to one feed until lo was about 10 weeks or maybe a little older and then no feedings at about 14 weeks maybe.  i can't remember.  but the point is, it doesn't seem to me like the night feedings are out of the ordinary.  it looks like he's eating at about the 3 hour mark (except for that first night feed at 2:30 which is about 4 hours).  if you don't feel comfortable with that though, check the feeding boards because they know a lot more than i do about that. 

i hope elevating his crib helps a little.  reflux is such a hard thing for lo and it seems to be more common that i thought.  maybe that's why he was thrashing about?  we finally had to break down and get a miracle blanket for our lo because receiving blankets weren't holding those crazy arms in.  have you tried the aussie swaddle?  i read that a lot of people have better luck with that.

i usually try to get lo up at the same time.  it's rare that i have to wake her but like you said, on nights where she doesn't sleep well, sometimes she'll want to sleep in.  i'll let her go an extra 30 minutes or so but i don't know how much it messes their routine up so i don't change it too much. 

i'd definitely see what the naps board advises.  i hate those silly 45 minute naps.  they are so frustrating for mom and baby.
let me know.
melissa