Should I go back to 3.5 hours EASY?

[Gabriella]

Hello,

We started DS on 4-hour EASY about two weeks ago. He's 5 months old now. Previously he had no routine. The first 10 days were fine, he would sleep through the night with a couple of awakenings, but I'd just put the paci in his mouth and he'd go back to sleep.

Well, not anymore. These last nights he would wake up 4-5 times and it would take me ages to settle him. Several times I decided to feed him, but it doesn't always help. Before we went on EASY I was feeding him once or twice a night and he'd go right back to sleep after he has eaten. Also, we didn't do any DF.

Also, according to the doctor he's not gaining enough weight lately. Could it be because he eats less often? Before EASY I'd feed him about every 3 hours. He's exclusively breastfed, but lately I gave him a few ounces of formula per day to complement. Well, it seems to give him a lot of gas and I think it also contributes to restless nights, so since yesterday I went back to breastfeeding only, whatever it takes.

Another issue is that he only naps for 1h20m MAX. No way to extend to two hours. So this means that if I stick to 4 hours EASY, he is awake 2h40 minutes and he's usually quite out of sorts by the end of it.

Here is our routine:
7 am E
7.20 A
9.00 S
10.20 A
11.00 E
11:20 A
13.00 S
14.20 A
15.00 E
15.20 A
17.00 S
17.45 A
18.15 E
18.30 A (bath, massage, etc)
19.00 E
19.15 Bedtime
10.30 DF (sometimes he wakes earlier)

Do you think that going on 3.5 hours EASY would help? Is there anything else I am doing wrong? I am a bit desperate as I haven't slept for three days, DH is abroad until December, so I am all on my own.

Thank you.
Gabriella

[yaya]

hello!
I think at 5 mo a 4 hr EASy is good, it sounds more likely hunger due to a growth spurt really? Is he taking full feeds during the day? Do u think u may have supply issues? the formula does sometimes give them gas and I would only give it to him if ur ped has advised u too. HAve u tried cluster feeding in the evenings? Also, did the DF not work for u?
The only other things I can think of are teething? the need to eliminate the catnap?
HTH

[Gabriella]

Hello,

Thanks for your suggestions.

think at 5 mo a 4 hr EASy is good, it sounds more likely hunger due to a growth spurt really?  Is he taking full feeds during the day? Not really, he's just fussing a lot... He sometimes would feed for five minutes on one breast, but that's rare. Usually he pulls away after 2-3 minutes and is just not interested to get anymore even if I switch sides. I will see an LLL consultant next week about that.

Do u think u may have supply issues?    I don't think so. The doc told me to try and give formula AFTER I breastfed him to see if he's still hungry, but he doesn't take it. Also, I can almost always express some milk AFTER he fed, so there is still some leftover.

the formula does sometimes give them gas and I would only give it to him if ur ped has advised u too.  I will stop formula now to see if it gets better.

HAve u tried cluster feeding in the evenings?    He gets fed at 18.15 and then I usually give him a "top-up" right before bed. But most of the times he's just not interested, sucks for a minute or two, then pulls away.

Also, did the DF not work for u?  What do you mean? I do DF, and it helped him through the night a couple of times, but now he's waking all the time again. Tonight I'll try without DF to see if it's better.

The only other things I can think of are teething?  I haven't seen any signs of that.

the need to eliminate the catnap?  I don't think so. Otherwise he gets really grouchy by bath time.

Thanks again,
Gabriella

[yaya]

hmm the fussy feeding doesnt sound right, mayeb something is up? My LO got like this around 4 mo when his reflux kicked in. Have u tried giving some paracetamol before bed? maybe he is in pain with teeth and u cant see them yet? it can be ages before they push through (DS was 10 mo!) How r his naps?

[Gabriella]

Sorry, I was not online for a few days.

The fussy feeding seems better and LLL consultant confirmed that he sucks probably strong enough to empty the breast very quickly.

I also started rice cereal two days ago and he seems to like it.

However, he keeps waking at night. Last night it was 2.20, 3.40-4.45 (did PU/PD, not much success), 5.45 and 6.40 awake for the day. Should I drop the DF? I am really wondering.

Gabriella

[*Mona*]

hi there.

so maybe all that fussy feeding was due to the change in his routine and now he's just adjusting nicely?
great daytime feedings are working for you.

about quiting DF- DF does not always work for every one. maybe try a few nights without DF and see if it helps.
don't give up on 4 hrs easy- it may take some time until it works out for you.

besides, E A S A E kind of routine is perfectly normal too- not many LOs really get those 2hrs naps.
My dd used to be on that routine for some 2 months and only lately she has started napping 2 hrs or even more.

if you still have problems with night wakings, please check our night wakings board- maybe there you will find some better solutions?

HTH

[Gabriella]

Hi Monika,

I am planning to stick with 4 hour EASY. Our daytime routine seems fairly sorted out DS takes his naps regularly and he can also deal with some extras (shopping, sleeping in the car, LLL meetings, etc.) I was determined to put him on 3.5 hour EASY one day, but by 11 am, he put himself back on his normal 4-hour schedule, so I decided not to mess with it.

I also posted in NW board as I am seriously considering dropping DF. He's had some really bad nights lately. Whereas before I could go in, stick the dummy into his mouth and walk out, nowadays he's awake 1-2 hours every night. He NEVER used to do anything of the kind. So far I would feed him in the night and he'd go straight back to sleep. Now I am trying not to feed him as he gets DF, but he still keeps on waking and waking and waking despite PU/PD. So I might just go back to one night feeding and see how that goes.

Gabriella