Help first week on EASY

[Rorys Mummy]

Hi everyone,
I am new to the site and had been browsing for a few days.  I was wondering if anyone can help.  I have a 3 month old baby who was 5 weeks prem but weighing 6lbs. This makes his adjusted age 7 weeks old.

  We started EASY as my lo was in no kind of routine during the day other than feeding every 3 hours, and waking up twice during the night. Napping has been a real issue during the day as he doesn’t!  We had already started his bedtime routine and it is working really well.

A typical day this week has been:
   E    8am 4/5oz formula
   A    nappy change, top and tail, dress
   S    9am ish
   E    11am 5oz
   A    nappy change e.t.c
   S    1pm (not very well just 30 -45 mins)
   E    2pm 5 oz
   A    nappy change e.t.c
             S           straight after feed for about 30-50 mins
             A            nappy change etc
            E     5pm 5oz
   A    nappy change
   S    cat nap
   A    bath time
   E    cluster feed 2/3 oz
   S    bed time 7pm ( goes down no problem)
   E    dream feed 11pm

During the lo will feed again at half two each night and again at half 5.  Regular as clock work.

As you can see he goes a good six hours from 7pm til half 2.  How can I lose that 2.30 am feed?  Should I do another cluster feed at 9pm?  If so do I wake him up for this?

Last night he woke at 11pm. We fed and changed him and then he slept until 4am- why won’t he do this with a dream feed?  Can anyone offer any suggestions.
Thank you   

[* Paula *]

Welcome to the BW Boards.

Your routine looks good.  After the 11am feed, I would aim to get your DS to sleep at around 12.  Leaving him until 1pm could mean that he is getting overtired and why he is not sleeping for as long as he should and could be having a chain reaction onto his next nap.

I would also aim for the DF to be closer to 10:00pm.  After 11 it can disrupt their sleep and cause more night wakings.  Although at this age it is still quite common to have a night feed.

You are doing great.  Keep us posted on how you get on.

[Rorys Mummy]

Thanks very much for your advice and support- we'll give it a go x 

[Rorys Mummy]

Hello again, We brought our df 4wards to 10pm, he woke again at 2,30 and at 5.30.  Shall I carry on with df at 10pm for a few more days?  Do you think it is worth trying wake to sleep at 1.30?   

[* Paula *]

I would keep on going as you are.

It may take a few days to get your lo settled into the new routine. 

It is still not uncommon at this age to have a night waking, so if you think that your lo is hungry, I would still offer a feed.  How much does he take at this feeding?

[Rorys Mummy]

Hi Paula thanks for responding to me; your advice is much appreciated. Its nice to talk to someone with experience to bounce ideas off!

Rory usually takes 3/4oz at 2.30.  I had been thinking that with this extra feed at 10/11 he couldn't possibly be hungry, I guess he is- I'm just dying for some xtra sleep now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!         Vickix       

Ps I also wondered if there was a board for mothers of premature babies?

[* Paula *]

It definitely does sound like he is hungry.  Things will get better.  I know it is hard to see now, but they will.

I don't think there is any boards on Premature babies, but you could start a topic under the Birthclubs Section of EASY, I am sure loads of mums will be able to tell you their experiences.  Here is a link to the Birthclub boards.

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?board=74.0