Alternatives to sleep training

[Anonymous]

Have a 18 week old that wakes up 5-6 times a night. I don’t think it’s due to hunger but the only way to get him back to sleep is to feed him. We do EAS during the day consistently but he just can’t fall asleep without eating at night. I know the easiest way to fix this is sleep training but I’d like to hold off for as long as possible until he’s at least 6 months. Are there alternatives that we can try in the meantime?

[Anonymous]

How much does he eat when you feed him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much does he eat when you feed him?

A boobful? Ranges from 10-30 mins.

[Anonymous]

The alternative is to wake up 5-6 times a night.

Sleep training is fine for babies that get enough food during the waking hours. Ask the pediatrician what that number/amount is and then sleep train. For most, it takes one or two days for it to work. The baby benefits from better sleep and so do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The alternative is to wake up 5-6 times a night.

Sleep training is fine for babies that get enough food during the waking hours. Ask the pediatrician what that number/amount is and then sleep train. For most, it takes one or two days for it to work. The baby benefits from better sleep and so do you.

Also use a one size larger diaper and extra diaper cream so baby doesn't wake up after peeing. etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The alternative is to wake up 5-6 times a night.

Sleep training is fine for babies that get enough food during the waking hours. Ask the pediatrician what that number/amount is and then sleep train. For most, it takes one or two days for it to work. The baby benefits from better sleep and so do you.

The pediatrician said to wait till 6 months. If the alternative is to wake 5-6 times, so be it. You don’t have to be snarky.

[Anonymous]

Did you try a dream feed? If you can head off maybe the first wake, it could give you a longer stretch.

5-6 times a night seems like way too much to me. How long do you wait before going in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did you try a dream feed? If you can head off maybe the first wake, it could give you a longer stretch.

5-6 times a night seems like way too much to me. How long do you wait before going in?

Also how often are you feeding during the day?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you try a dream feed? If you can head off maybe the first wake, it could give you a longer stretch.

5-6 times a night seems like way too much to me. How long do you wait before going in?

Also how often are you feeding during the day?

And how long/frequent are naps?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you try a dream feed? If you can head off maybe the first wake, it could give you a longer stretch.

5-6 times a night seems like way too much to me. How long do you wait before going in?

Also how often are you feeding during the day?

I wanted to ask this also. How often are the feeds? Is this baby still wanting to feed every 2-3 hours? My first was like that. She wanted to eat every 2-3 hours way past when she should have been doing that. Pediatrician recommended stretching out all the feedings. As long as baby is healthy/healthy weight, you could start stretching out the day feeds and night feeds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you try a dream feed? If you can head off maybe the first wake, it could give you a longer stretch.

5-6 times a night seems like way too much to me. How long do you wait before going in?

Also how often are you feeding during the day?

And how long/frequent are naps?

I wait about 5-8 mins before going in at night.
Naps are every 90-120 mins. First two naps are usually very short, Max 45 mins, usually closer to 30. Third nap sometimes goes to 1hr 15-30 min. Maybe a short 10 min cap nap as a fourth nap. Needs to be held for all naps. Feed when he wakes up from each nap, so around every 2.5-3 hours. He doesn’t eat for long during the day , 10 mins Max. I ll offer more but he will refuse.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, the alternative would have been starting healthy sleep hygiene from birth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, the alternative would have been starting healthy sleep hygiene from birth.

Ffs. Go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did you try a dream feed? If you can head off maybe the first wake, it could give you a longer stretch.

5-6 times a night seems like way too much to me. How long do you wait before going in?

Also how often are you feeding during the day?

And how long/frequent are naps?

I wait about 5-8 mins before going in at night.
Naps are every 90-120 mins. First two naps are usually very short, Max 45 mins, usually closer to 30. Third nap sometimes goes to 1hr 15-30 min. Maybe a short 10 min cap nap as a fourth nap. Needs to be held for all naps. Feed when he wakes up from each nap, so around every 2.5-3 hours. He doesn’t eat for long during the day , 10 mins Max. I ll offer more but he will refuse.

Okay, so this is an all the time sleep problem, not a night waking problem. If you’re holding for naps and waking up all night, I’m so impressed that you’re still alive! Also, you ALL deserve better.

I would try watching the Taking Cara Babies newborn class, and start working towards drowsy-but-awake and putting DOWN for naps. But honestly, that’s not normal or good and the baby is really old to have these habits. Sleep training is probably the most effective and kindest way for everyone. Otherwise you’re just going to have long drawn out battles and continue to not sleep. You will definitely need night feeds until you get more food in during the day, but not 5-6. That’s crazy.

When your pediatrician said wait until 6mo to sleep train, did he/she know you’re holding for every nap and feeding 5-6 times a night? Because that is NOT sustainable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, the alternative would have been starting healthy sleep hygiene from birth.

Wow seriously pp??? Sorry op this is absurd. I think alternatives to your situation might be having partner going in instead and trying to sooth in other ways, and there are some other gentle approaches I think some sleep training folks use but most will involve crying. Our book said 5 months so we waited til then but I hear you that your pediatrician said 6 months. It’s hard to know. I also still fed at night after sleep training so it won’t necessarily mean you age to cut them all when the time comes. Sorry wish I could be more helpful!