Nighttime Feedings and Crib Sleeping

My DD was six weeks early and spent the first two weeks at the hospital - so she was used to sleeping in a really small space. So when we finally got her home we continued to "buritto wrap" her during her naps and at bedtime. We also was given a moses basket from our family that she slept in within her crib, which I think made the transition from that to the crib itself much easier. I unfortunally wasn't able to BF for very long, but BM does digest much faster then formula. What BM she did get was fortified with formula for LBW/Premies so it digested slower, you may want to consider this if you aren't already. Also because she was in the hospital for so long I had to pump in order for her to get the BM. Since she would just fall asleep when we tried nursing -we made the decision to give that up to the bottle. Perhaps one of the best decisions for us, because it allowed my husband to help me with the night time feedings allowing me to get the sleep I needed. I also found that pumping was much faster then nursing, I would pump while my husband would feed her; most times we were done at the same time. About 10-15 minutes.
As far as your DS sleeping in his crib, does he sleep in there during his naps? If not maybe start there and slowly work up to him sleeping in there everytime. I would also try having him sleep in a basket within his crib. The size of the crib can be overwhelming; since he seems to sleep better in a more confining space. i would create that space within the crib itself. I don't have any suggestions regarding the reflux since I never experienced that with my DD, other then find out what options are out there from your doctor. I wish you the best of luck.

My daughter was breast fed until 10 months and did not sleep through the night until she was on a bottle. For both our sakes, I kept the room dark, and she usually fell asleep while feeding -- I fell asleep a second before my head hit the pillow again.

You might try the "Baby Whisperer" books on going back to sleep -- she is not an advocate of "cry it out" which I could never bear. She advises keep putting the child back in the crib -- comfort by stroking back, or picking up if needed until the child understands that they are going to sleep in their crib. The first night it's not uncommon go go through the routine a dozen times or more, but the second night will be half that and the third night half that. By the end of a week you'll have it a lot easier -- just remember to keep doing that in two months when it comes up again! (That's where I goofed and ended up with a baby in my bed...)

Let me start off by saying that I didn't have a premie, and she doesn't have any reflux problems, so I don't know if this is applicable to you but you could give it a try.

When my baby was about 4 days old, I had a visit from a home health nurse who told me that babies need to have a certain amount of food during the day, so as long as you get them the food they need during the day, they won't wake as much at night. So, until she was about 10 or 11 weeks old, I made it a point to feed her every 2 hours. That certainly is a pain (especially when breastfeeding) but I actaully had her sleeping through the night at 4 weeks. Try feeding him more often during the day and not letting him sleep through a daytime feeding (wake him up at the 2 hour mark to eat if he's napping). Also (and you're probably already doing this) make sure to get him to eat a full meal right before going to bed. See if that works.

My daughter was six weeks premature and we had a similar feeding schedule with her, about once every 2.5-3 hours she would get up! I would talk with your doctor, but as your son starts eating more at each feeding, he should be able to go longer between feedings. It will get easier, I promise! My daughter is an extremely healthy first grader who will be seven next month, so I know from experience!!!!

Although I don't know what to tell you about acid reflux and feedings because we never really figured that one out for ourselves, I can tell you that there are ways to cut back on late at night feedings. We swaddled both our daughters until well into their first year--especially when they became distraught at being overly tired. Studies have proven that swaddled babies sleep better and more soundly. We also kept both our daughters in a bassinet beside our bed; this bassinet was equipted with a voice-activated teddy bear which played womb sounds when the baby cried. Starting at four weeks, each night when our daughters began to cry for feedings at around two, we activated the womb sounds bear (if it wasn't already going) and we put a pacifier in their mouths. Often they would doze off again for from anywhere between fifteen to sixty minutes or more. When they really began to wail we then fed them, but we did make them wait a bit for their food and work on comforting themselves. We repeated this practice through the dark hours until it was time to wake up. Each night the length of time between the feedings became longer and longer, until one night without a feeding turned into two, into a week, etc. In some cases it is a long, drwn out process, but it does work. Sometime babies who get enough to eat and are growing well merely wake as the result of their natural sleep patterns--so comfort but don't feed right away at night. Good luck!

I would continue breastfeeding on demand or pump extra milk and you and your husband can take turns during night time feedings. He is still young and technically only 3 weeks old, being he was born premature (i think i am understanding it correctly, i do not have a premie so i am not for sure) i wouldnt wean him yet, it is a difficult taks to breastfeed but so rewarding. I baught a "secure sleeper" for my daughter which let her sleep in our bed. she also wanted to be held all night and the secure sleeper let me lay her down with us but protect her from us rolling on her. once she was set in there we moved her to a bassinet next to the bed and then to her crib. all in all it took about 2 weeks (mostley because i wasnt ready for her to move out of our room) i hope this helps and i feel for you, getting no sleep is awful and it makes it harder to feel up to breastfeeding, best of luck!

I would check with the Dr. about getting some Zantac for the Reflux. I've had 3 kids on it so far and it worked miracles for them. I wouldn't worry too much about the feedings, you want him to be gaining as much as possible right now. I think that the Zantac will help with that also because it allows them to eat more at one time without the stomach acid coming up and burning their throat. I have always kept my babies in a pack and play next to my bed until they were 6 months old and then into their crib. That way I can hold a bottle for them while they are still lying down and they will just fall asleep while eating and won't have to be moved.
Good luck,
J.

My baby had a bit of the reflux problem and had trouble sleeping on her back because of it. I couldn't sleep if I was always spitting up either, I suppose! So, she slept in a "bouncy seat" until she was 2.5 months. The doctor said it was fine. It helped her sleep longer because it kept her upright and cozy. (We tried the wedge, but she was so wiggly that she just slid down). Also, sometimes when she woke up, I could put on the "calming vibrations" and she'd go back to sleep. :) She eventually grew out of the chair and the reflux and ate every 45 minutes to an hour during the day, but slept through the night. It was a trade-off, I guess.

Hi N.,

My daughter fed every 3-4 hours until she was around 8 months old, and she was not a premie or under weight at all. I guess all babies have different needs, and some need the security/comfort of eating often. I hope all goes well, hang in there!

Well my daugther was not premature so I have no help there, however she did have acid reflux and slept in her car seat a lot until we put a wedge in her crib. She also had the same crying fits you are experiencing. We actually put the carseat in the crib for about 2-4 weeks that way she got used to the crib and being in her room with all the same comforts before and then we moved her into her crib with no seat it worked a lot better. I dont know wheather this is a full size papasan or the baby one? But if it is baby size I would put it in the crib to get him used to it. Hope this helps. A.

I was told that babies with reflux often regulate themselves by eating small meals more often. A very full tummy makes aggravates their reflux even more. But, even if your son didn't have reflux, eating every 2 1/2 - 3 hours for a 8 week old is normal. My son had reflux and didn't start stretching to 4 - 5 hours until he was 12 weeks old and then he stayed at that for a long, long time. However, you can start encouraging better sleep by trying to feed him more often during the day as others have mentioned. The wedge in the crib is a good idea too but if that doesn't work you might try purchasing an Amby Baby Hammock: www.ambybaby.com They're especially good for babies with reflux and you can keep your son in your room in it which would make your life easier if you're breastfeeding. We really liked ours and plan to use it with our next baby too.

I don't know how you feel about the baby sleeping with you. But I seemed to get better sleep when I would breast feed while laying in bed. I would fall asleep and so would my daughter during the feeding. I would start her off in her crib in her room, and then bring her into our bed when she woke. What I found to help her sleep in her own room, was to wrap her tightly in her blanket. It makes her feel more secure.

Try to get him to drink more at a feeding My dr told me they need 32oz a day once they get that during the day theyll sleep at night. At 8 weeks he should be able to get at least 5 oz perfeeding and if you space them 3-4 hours apart and therse 24 hours in a day thats 6-8 feedings perday. Try to space the daytime feedings 3 hours apart and work your way up to 4 hours towards bedtime. Or however works best for you and your son as long as you reach the 32 oz mark. I prepair all of the formula for ewach day in advance so its easy for me to know how much my now 4 month old gets each day. Hope this helps!
B.

Breast or bottle - if your little one says its time to eat, then by all means let him eat as often as he wishes. Besides, the smaller, more frequent feedings may be better for the reflux.

My middle daughter was breastfed for 15 months. She didn't sleep thru the night until she was about 9 months. My youngest daughter was only breastfed for 10 weeks. She is 23 months now and still wakes in the night on occassion.

My son didn't eliminate the night time feeding until right around 8 weeks, maybe a little after, and still needed one occasionally for a few more weeks. He, too, has GERD, and I think that may have had something to do with it (since feeding cools the acid in their throats). Anyway, he went on Zantac around 8 weeks, and it made things go a lot smoother. He started sleeping through the night more regularly, and the Zantac was a life saver for all of the other GERD symptoms. He also slept better in his crib, and before that, as you mentioned only would sleep in his papasan or co-sleep with us. Good luck to you!

I returned to work at 6 weeks, and the only way I have been able to get good rest is co-sleeping...I just breastfeed side-lying and we both doze back off to sleep as she eats. It's worked great for us...we do start the night out in the crib - sometimes she sleeps a longer stretch at first that other times, but I bring her to bed when she wakes up. I know that's not the advice you were looking for, but it has worked great for us!

This is very normal. My kids didn't start going the 4-6 hours until they were around 15 lbs. Also, the acid reflux is very normal for an infant who has grown very quick. There is a flap that doesn't grow quite as fast as their bodies, causing the reflux. This could hinder his sleeping too. Has the doctor talked with you about it? My 2 boys had to go on some medicine to aid with the reflux.

I dont't want to read anything into your email, but are you getting a little depressed? If you are in need of a good night sleep...get one! If you nurse-pump, or have your husband bottle feed one night. You'd be surprised how a good night sleep makes life so much better! I don't blame you for dreading work. You will be a very tired gal for awhile. If you can't postpone your return to work make sure your husband and you work out a schedule so that you can both get some sleep.

Take care, before you know it you'll regret not having these days back again. I do ...my youngest is 3 boohoo!
J.

I can only say, that my son was born at 41 weeks, and at 8 weeks was still eating every 3 hours, and weighed about 12 lb's. I think that it is totally normal for a breast fed baby to eat that often, and trying to wean a baby that young off of night feeding may not work well for either of you. I know that isn't what you were hoping to hear.

As far as getting him to sleep in his crib, does he nap in there? I'd start with that, and move into the night time sleeping after he's been napping in there for a while.

Good luck!
J.

Mom to 19 month Charlie and baby boy #2 due in 2 weeks.

I also have a son who was born 5 weeks early. He's 15 months now. As far as the sleeping in the crib goes, do whatever works, we had our son in the cradle until he was almost 6 months! When he outgrew it, we put him in the crib and he was ready. If he's still waking up ever 2 1/2-3 hours to eat, just know that it will get better! Sometimes I would try the pacifier. My son started sleeping through the night at 9 weeks, so just hang in there, it will happen! If have any questions or concerns, let me know. I remember how frustrating it was to find developmental info being that he was early. None of the books I had really pertained to him!

I personally wouldn't hold back any feedings. If your breastfeeding it's digested a lot quicker and every 2-3 hours is normal. A growth spurt will increase feedings. My daughter didn't sleep through the night until maybe 7-8 months old and she was breastfeed until 9 months and on solids at 5 months. It's just how it goes. This is just my opinion. Ask your doctor if you can add rice to a bottle of milk at the last feeding. Maybe your baby will sleep longer.

Hi N.,

First of all congratulations on the birth of your baby. I have an almost 11 month old little girl myself who is also my first. I breastfed my daughter also and know how frustrating and hard it can be in the beginning; especially when you don't get alot of sleep.

I also thought that after a few weeks my daughter wouldn't need to eat as often, but from everything the doctor and lactation consultants told me, for the first couple weeks you feed them every 2 hours and after that you feed them on demand...and at this age for your son he probably will still be eating that often...I know it is frustrating...some things that worked for us to get her to sleep longer between feedings at night were letting her sleep in her carseat because she was most comfortable sleeping there. She slept in her bassinette for the first couple weeks but never really liked it, so after using the carseat for awhile, at around 2 months, we just started putting her in her crib for naps and then at bedtime. She didn't like it at first, but she got used to it. What I think worked really well was our consistency with bed time...we'd put her in crib after feeding her around 8pm every night and sometimes she'd cry a little and if she cried too much we'd comfort her and put her back down and eventually she didn't cry anymore...she'd just suck her thumb for awhile and go to sleep...at first she'd sleep until about 12, then eventually till about 2, then 4, and then till 8am...it doesn't happen overnight but eventually they do sleep through the night. Also, a bedtime routine helps...like every night before bed do the same things...read a story, change diaper, bath, feeding; whatever you decide...but do it consistently and in the same order every night. Anyway, I hope some of that helps; I realize it's easy for me to say these things now because I've done them; but I remember how hard it was back when my daughter was that little and I just wanted some sleep. Let me know if you need anything else, and take care!
A.