Cluster & Dream Feeding Support/Chat

[Sugarmama]

Hi everyone,
I'm new to the site/forum and have found your postings helpful.

I want to start cluster feeding my six-week-old tomorrow night. I'm sleepy and nervous. But I'm hoping the cluster feedings help.

I'm hoping for any tips on the following plans:

She currently eats approx. 4 oz. every 2.5-3 hrs. during the day. She normally wakes at around 7:30 a.m. She naps poorly. I haven't yet figured out why but will head on over to the sleep forum soon. 

Anyhow, I'm trying to decide when to do the cluster feedings. I'm thinking probably 6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m. One problem, though. She sleeps badly/hardly at all/wakes every 20 min. and need consoling usually from 6 p.m.-11:30 p.m. or so.

She then will sleep usually four hours or so, eat, and sleep until 7:30 or so.

So, do I still just give her the DF at around 10 regardless of whether she's up already or not? Also, it sounds like I try to give her her normal 4 oz. bottles at all those feedings if she'll take them? I can't imagine she will. She sometimes only wants 3 or 3.5 if she eats at 2.5 hr intervals.

Thoughts?

Many thanks!

[btrsweet5747]

Hi, everyone- I'm new to the board and a second time mommy!

I am hoping to do the cluster- and dreamfeeding with my almost 8 week old lo.  I didn't do it with my older daughter, though- so I'm a newbie, so to speak.

The problem I forsee is that my lo only takes between 2 and 3oz at a feeding.  I would like her to take more, but she absolutely refuses.  Will this still work?  We tried the dreamfeed last night at 11pm, but she was still up at 1am, 4am and up for the day at 7am.  Should I move the df forward to 10pm, or just to 10:30?  And how should I try to get her to take more at each feeding?  Thanks!

Kristi
Mommy to Avery- 4.16.04
and Delaney- 11.28.06

[* Paula *]

Sugarmama, sorry for the delay in replying to you.  If the 8pm cluster feed is too late and your lo is usually asleep by then, you could always try clusterfeeding at 5 and 7 before bed.

The DF is given asleep and is better closer to 10pm.

Kristie, welcome to the BW boards.


Yes you can still clusterfeed even if your lo only takes small feeds.  The object of clusterfeeding is to get your lo to tank up.

With regards to the DF it is recommended that you do it as close to 10:00 pm as possible.  It is also still very common to have night wakings at this age.  Keep on going, things will get better.

Keep us posted on how you get on.

[clarapist]

Hi there. Just an update on moving the DF back. We are now to 10:15. (IT's SO nice to have it done earlier) He is NOT waking anymore during the feed (yay!) and takes a little less. He doesn't seem to want more in the mornings, yet.  In fact, he is taking less overall (28-30oz) but still takes any solids that I offer (1-2x/day). NO night wakings, either, so I'm NOT worried about his intake (esp b/c he's a CHUBBY baby!)

Do I still keep moving back till I'm literally df'ing 30-60 minutes after bedtime?

Kristi-  Hugs to you and your 8 week old.  I ditto what Tom Tom's mum said. It might take a WHILE for your LO to drop even one of those night feeds. I can remember at that age, every night thinking "ok, THIS is the night, he'll sleep longer." And, lo and behold he was up 3 hours after that df.   ALso remember that whatever you start, it can take days/weeks for it to "work".  I got VERY caught up in the idea that if I do X, then baby will SURELY do Y and Z immediately. Unfortunately, my baby was not reading BW at the same time I was!

Jill

[happy-mum]

Hi there, first time on the message board but familiar with the techniques.  I am wondering how young to start cluster & dream feeding? With my son I started at 5 weeks but want to get EASY happening sooner this time (due next month). Also, does anybody think that its too early to start EASY in the hospital?  I'm having a C-section so I'll be stuck in hospital for 5 days and coming home to a toddler I would like to try utilise the time to get the routine sorted out. thanks

[* Paula *]

Jill that is fantastic news that Connor is sleeping through the night and that you are able to DF earlier 

Hi happy-mum, welcome to the boards.

It is never to early to start EASY, but remember that it may take a little time for your lo to get used to the idea.  Your lo will still be getting itself accustomed to being in the outside world.  The main concept at starting so early is to teach your lo when E and S is and falling asleep independantly.

Good luck with the birth of your lo, and please keep us posted on how you get on implementing EASY.

[btrsweet5747]

Thanks, everyone!  I've spread out the clusterfeeding a little because she has reflux and eating that much in such a short amount of time makes her spit up a ton.  But she did well for two nights (DF at 10:30 and slept until 3am)!  I am hopeful.  Last night we had a little hiccup as she did the DF normally but then spit up an hour later, so she needed to eat sooner.  She was again up at 1am, but then not up until 6am again!  She's a champion!  I know she should still be waking in the night as young as she is, and I am just glad to get her on a routine.  She is very routine-oriented and is craving being on one.  She doesn't like to be out of whack, so to speak!  Thanks again, everyone!

Kristi
Mommy to Avery (4.16.04) and Delaney (11.28.06)

[* Paula *]

Sounds like you are both doing great.

Thbat is fantastic news that she slept so well for you.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

[Karintya]

Hi Tom Toms Mum,
My lo is taking his DF at 10:00, but he doesnt eat much, also he has been waking up when I pick him up. what do you think?
I have had difficult nights, getting him to sleep after 4 am is almost impossible.
Lo´s  bottle daily schedule: 8am 11am 2pm 5pm 6:30 bath 7pm 10pm DF.
Thanks

[* Paula *]

You could always try giving the dreamfeed a little later, say around 10:30 to see if your lo takes anymore.

When your lo wakes at 4am - do you feed him in a dark room?  It is best to try and treat this feed as a night feed and not make any contact with him or talk to him so that once he has had this feed, you can put him straight back to sleep.

When your lo wakes for the DF, does he fall back asleep on the bottle?

[Karintya]

Paula,
At 4 am yes I feed him in a dark room, and I have no problem getting him to sleep, but aprox 1 hour later he wakes up.

yes he falls asleep with DF.
Thanks

[* Paula *]

I would use Pat/Shh to try and get him back to sleep when he wakes at 5am, and see if you can get him to settle again.

[Karintya]

About the shh part, how is the correct way to do it:
sh sh sh sh sh sh or
shhhhhhhhhhhh    shhhhhhhhhhhhhh      shhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[clarapist]

HELLO HELLO. Just an update. We are now at 1 week post STOPPING the dream feed, and NO wakings!    I just kept backing it up, and then we went to a wedding and my MIL babysat- so that was the first night.  WOO HOO. I FEEL SO FREE! 

On another note, I believe our membership the 45 minute nap club is expiring, as well.  

THANKS for the support, TOMTOM.

Jill

[* Paula *]

Karintya - which ever works for your lo.  If your lo responds better to the sh sh sh then do it.  It is completely up to you.

Jill, that is fantastic news, I am sooo pleased that things are working out.  Sounds like your hard work has really paid off.  That is great news on the naps too.