Changes in sleep pattern
Question:
Hello,
My little boy is 4 months old. He is on a routine. Feeds at 7, 11, 3 & 7 during the day. and at night he was feeding around 12:00 and around 4:00am. He is still wrapped. We started him self settling about 3 weeks ago and all was going well. We wrap him and give him cuddles until he's sleepy (only takes about 5 minutes) then lay him in his cot and he 'sings' and sucks on his hands to put himself to sleep. this can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 20 minutes.
Two days ago we gave him formula for the first time as I had a hair appointment and hadn't had time to express. At first I was in awe as when I got home he was sound asleep (though it was just after 11:00 and not a nap time) he then slept for 2.5 hours which is not normal (usual naps are about an hour - 9:00am and 1:00pm with a mini nap at 4:30ish for aroung 20 mins...bed time is 7:30). He woke happy and seemed refreshed.
That night we did his night routine as normal and he went of too sleep about 8:00 (which I though was fine if we took into account his extra long sleep). He then began waking evey 45 mins to 1.5 hours. he was very unsettles and seemed to have a great deal of wind. I thought it must have been the formula upsetting his stomach. Each time he woke he would not settle without feeding, even if it was only 2 or 3 minutes of feeding (he's normally pretty efficient). This pattern continued through out the night.
The next day was much more regular although he had a 20 minute nap at 12:00 and then didn't have a nap until 2:00. His next nap was at about 4:45 which lasted until 6:00.Again this was unusual. Last night was much like the previous one. He woke about every 1.5 hours.
Any ideas on whats going on?
I'm also really worried now that because we used feeding as a settling tool (he didn't fall asleep while feeding) that he's deminished my milk supply. My breasts just don't feel full.
HELP...I can't endure another sleepless nigh.
F
Catriona's Response:
Hi there
Bring back sleep!! There could be a couple of things: he may be getting hungrier because he is more active now? Also, is he teething? Some babies can develop a sudden change in pattern when they are teething?
As babies become more active their appetite increases! Therefore, he is demanding more food. Your breasts will continue to produce milk as long as he is stimulating and feeding from them. You may find that things settle down a little after 48 hours? You could try expressing for 5-10 minutes twice a day, after a feed, and you should notice an increase in supply in 2 days!
Yes, avoiding, feeding to sleep is important! It can create a sleep association. Therefore, when he wakes from a sleep cycle he is requiring a breast to take him back off to sleep! Also, try unwrapping one arm at a time during the day to start with.
Re establishing a day routine will also help with overnight sleeping. Wake him up if he is asleep after 4pm, otherwise this will throw your whole night!! The trap one can fall into is, he feeds several times overnight and then is not that fussed during the day, it is a 'catch 22'. So the aim is to, only offer 1 breast at a time overnight from 12mn-0600 and then offer both breasts with every feed during the day.
Regarding teething, please see Tips & Advice on Teething.
Also, it may be time to consider Starting Solids?
An example of a day:
0600 – Breast Feed - Both Breasts.
0730 – Breakfast examples:
See Tips & Advice on Starting Solids.
Rice Cereal and fruit.
Always stay close to your baby when feeding, so doesn't choke.
Offer a sippy cup of water.
Put baby back on the floor to play – watch for tired signs.
0830-0900 – Sleep & Settling.
10am - Breast Feed - Both breasts.
1130 – Lunch examples:
Vegetables & rice cereal or potato - a Carbohydrate.
Offer a dessert eg.fruit.
Offer water.
Put baby back on the floor to play – watch for tired signs.
Sleep.
2pm - Breast feed - Both Breasts
Go out for a walk, to the shops, to the park etc.
4pm – Your baby may have a 'power nap' in the pram/car for approx. 30 mins.
4.30pm -If still asleep at this time wake up!
4.30pm – Dinner examples:
Vegetables with potato, rice cereal etc.
Also offer a dessert eg. fruit
Plus water.
5.30pm – Bath
6.30pm – Breast Feeds - Both breasts
6.45-7pm – Bed!!
10 pm - Breast Feed - Both breasts (Dream feed/ Roll Over Feed)
12mn-0600 - Offer breast - 1 Breast at a feed. Night time is about 'survival'. Work on settling to sleep without the breast during the day!
All the best. Please let me know how you get on?
This response has been prepared by a health care professional on behalf of Baby Love in response to an email query. It is intended to be a general educational aid only. It is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified child health care professional with any questions you may have regarding the health of your child. We cannot guarantee, and will not be responsible for any damage or loss related to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information or for any direct or indirect consequence relating to any action or inaction you take based on this email.
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