How does EASY work with multiple nightfeeds?

[snappysara]

What should/shouldnt I be doing with my lo (6weeks), who still has several nightfeeds (keeps his daytime schedule of 2-2.5 hours all night).  How do I feed him? Bf to sleep? I am not sure?  I dont think we need to do the A... but how do I feed him without using the breast to put him to sleep?

Thanks!

[angelina and andrew's mum]

is he hungry when he gets up during the night? its common for babies of that age to still feed through the nite. when my lo gets up for a night feed i do it as low key as possible, not change her nappy if i can get away with it, normally feed with the lights off(no talking to her as it wakes her up fully) once shes fed then its back to bed and some ssshh to get her into zzzz land again.

[snappysara]

I figure he is hungry bc he wakes at his regular intervals.  He is touchy so if I dont respond he blows up.  Which is terrible at 3am.  He wakes crying, so to sooth I feed and he falls aleep.

[rebecaq]

Hi there 

He is doing what's normal for 6 weeks    At this age they fall asleep at the breast alot.  This is ok in the night, as long as he's being fed when hungry. If you feed him when he wakes for another reason other than hunger he will make the boob=sleep association. Babies usualyy don't have a routine until after 6 weeks, so he'll be getting the hang of things better soon. Just make sure he doesn't nurse to sleep during the day.

You're doing a great job!

- Beca

[snappysara]

Thanks Beca
I am trying real hard at the routine.  At night sometimes he wakes at the intervals for his feeds (every 2.5 hours) but sometimes he wakes off schedule.  What should I do when he wakes like this in the middle of the night?  He takes along time to fall asleep for his naps (like 30-40 mins).  Often I bf bc it knocks him out.

[rebecaq]

Hello again 

At 6 weeks he should be nursing twice a night, so aim for that. The best way to tell if he's really hungry or not is by not offering the breast. Give him a paci and see if he calms and starts to drift off again.  You may also need to shhh/pat a bit to send him back to sleep. Can dh help you for the first few days? It might be easier because ds will smell your milk and this may upset him when the breast isn't offered. 

Let me know how you get on 

- Beca