restarting at 5 mo

[pastorT]

I need some advice for restarting EASY at 5 mo.  We were doing well when my ds was first born for the first couple of months.  But reflux and an undiagnosed milk protein allergy caused us to go down hill for the last 2 months.  Eating had gotten so painful that he was down to eating about 2 ounces at a time.  Although he's back up to taking a full feed (thanks to me cutting out all milk from my diet...I'm bfing) but he got used to snacking and sometimes feeding to sleep (as that was the only time he would be able to relax enough to eat).  What's so sad is he used to go at least one 6 hr stretch at night and was getting to where at least one of his naps would be 2 hrs (with 2 other 45 min ones usually) and now he wakes every 3.5/4 hrs to feed at night and his naps are 45 min and wakes cranky.

So I feel like we're starting at square one and I guess I could use some advice.  How do we work up to 4 hr. easy?  He goes to daycare 2 days a weeks so how should we handle that?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[*Mona*]

hi,

sorry you're having some rough time at the moment. can you post your tipical day?
since when has he begun to wake more often at night? could it be a growth spurt?

Monika

[pastorT]

Unfortunately I don't know that we have a typical day anymore.  About all I can say is he wakes btwn 6 and 7, goes approx. 2 hrs of A time (although it's gotten sooo hard to read his tired cues anymore b/c sometimes he yawns or rubs his eyes 30 minutes after waking).  His naps are typically 45 min but occasionally will be longer (we did W2S and that helped for awhile).  His last nap/catnap is from about 5-5:45.  We start winding down around 7 and he is asleep around 7:45.  Occasionally he goes to bed earlier if he's had a rough day.  He is at home mon/wed/fri with either me or dh and goes to daycare on t/th.  Sundays are really rough b/c dh and I are both pastors so he is at church from 7-1 with a babysitter.

I don't think it's a growth spurt.  The eating problems arose as his milk allergy (undiagnosed) got worse to the point where he would only eat 2 ounces at a time before crying in pain.  We finally got it fixed but it made him a snacker and he's gotten bigger and hungrier so I think that's why he started waking at night (although a cold and teething pain have added to the issues.) 

So that's our sordid story.  Honestly, there are times when it feels so hopeless and I feel soo unbelievably exhausted.  But then he smiles or giggles and I have the strength to go another round  

Thanks for any suggestions...

[*Mona*]

hi I think you may need to give him more time to get used to eating properly after all those problems with milk allergy. it's not that easy to switch from 2-3 oz a feed to proper feeding.

what i also think is that 2hrs of activity may still be a bit too long for him. so that's why he may be showing tired signs only after some 30 minutes- he's not well rested after previous A time. try maybe limiting his activity to 1,45 hrs and see if it helps. and do try feeding him more or less every 4 hrs [but don't keep him hungry! ] to make him take more at each feed and not snack like he's used to. if you don't separate his feeds in time enough he will just keep on snacking.

and I understand you feel exhausted and hopeless sometimes- we all do. it's not that easy to be a good mom, is it. but keep your head up, you're doing a great job! 

hth
Monika