New to EASY and need some advice

[Becca21]

Hi all,
My DD is nearly 5 months old and I started her on EASY 2 weeks ago. At first she was waking at about 2.30am and 4.00 - 4.30am after an 11am dream feed. I used P.U/P.D at 2.30 and last night for the first time she slept through until 4.30. At this point I have been feeding her because it's been 5 and a half hours since her last feed (and she is quite small for her age - 12lbs, 11ozs). She usually feeds for about 10 mins which is a full feed for her. I just wondered, if maybe I am doing something wrong or getting her into a bad habit by feeding her??? I know that waking at the same time is usually a habit, but she does seem hungry. Any advice please???

[Colin Macs Mom]

You aren't doing anything wrong at all    If she's taking a full feed then she's obviously hungry and needs it.

[Colin Macs Mom]

EASY really isn't always easy, that's for sure. But at your LO's age it's not unusual to still have a night feed. Just pay attention and make sure she's taking a full feed (or very close) and eating enthusiastically. There's some stickies in the FAQ section that might help a little - one on when can I stop feeding at night, and another called How I Ended the Night Feeds with a 9 mo Old. There's some good info in those on feeds and when to know when it's habit rather than need and what to do about it.

[Colin Macs Mom]

I know, transitions are no fun at all, the work is worth it in the end 

[Colin Macs Mom]

LOL, I wish!!! I didn't find BW until DS was something like 6 weeks. He had reflux terribly bad so we really couldn't have much of a routine until that got under control, which wasn't until he was like 4 mo.      That was a looong, hard time. But yeah, it does get easier as long as you are willing to do the work and be consistent. It's really, really hard sometimes but you have to remember that it DOES pay off.

[Colin Macs Mom]

GOOD LUCK!!!!
Reflux really is terrible to go through, it's so hard to not be able to do anything. I think I cried just as much as Colin did, maybe more! 

[Colin Macs Mom]

Can you post your daily routine? That would help to see if overtiredness might be a factor. Like 7:00 wake, 9:00 nap, etc.

Does she wake at 1:30 every night? Or close to 1:30?

[Colin Macs Mom]

I think your routine looks really good    We also did 8 - 8 for quite some time rather than 7 - 7.

For now I would stick to the PU/PD when she wakes the first time, but if it starts becoming the same time or close each night then try wake to sleep.

[Colin Macs Mom]

No, the name wake to sleep isn't literal. You just want to make LO stir and switch sleep cycles, but not actually wake. Depending on how deeply she sleeps, you can tug the blanket, stroke her cheek, something like that. It takes at least 3 days to kick in, sometimes a week. Rarely longer.

[Colin Macs Mom]

Well that's good!!!

[Colin Macs Mom]

Waking at different times often indicates hunger, but if she's got a cold then perhaps not!!

[Colin Macs Mom]

Yep, it's normal to have off days. It makes you appreciate the good ones!