Help getting LO to STTN

mcahill1

My 8-week old (3-week adjusted, she was a preemie) EBF LO is gaining weight great, though still small. She was normal 5'10 and is now 7'8. My questions is... When do you think I can realistically expect her to STTN? Is she still too small? We're nursing at approx 6:30am, 9:30am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 11pm, & 2:30am. I'd LOOOOVE to get rid of that 2:30am feeding but dont know if it's possible and, if so, any advice on how to start trying it?

mrsseguin

For us, we never tried to get rid of a feeding...they just gradually slept longer and longer until they stopped waking on their own.  I don't think it's the norm to have an 8 week old that STTN.

slh6363

My LO was also 5 weeks early. You really have to go by adjusted age when considering things like this. I know it's easy to rush things and not take that into consideration but you really need to. So at 3 weeks you have to expect that type of feeding pattern. I've heard a lot of it depends on weight and 12 lbs seems to be the magic number. It was also true for us, LO started sleeping through the night once he reached about 11 lbs. Hang in there it will come!

notkateanymore

My DD who was a similar size didn't sleep through the night until she was over a year old. She was hungry so she got up.

taraleanne

No, don't try to get rid of any feedings, she'll likely just start lengthening them out on her own as she gets bigger.  Like a pp said, they sleep through when they are good and ready and there isn't a magic age or weight either. 

EmR22

Sorry to say there is nothing you can do to help her. There is no specific weight, no specific age no guarantee except that most kids sleep through the night by the time they are teenagers. Just wait until you your LO is STTN and hits a sleep regression. Trust me that is worse. 

My DD3 slept through the night at 2 months and never hit a 4 month sleep regression. My DD2 didn't sleep through the night until almost 2 years old. Yes she stopped middle of the night feeding around 15 months -- but she still didn't sleep. We all understand. We are all tired. But you just have to wait until your LO is ready and hopefully it is sooner than later.

dunvilles

My DS didn't STTN consistently until 10-11 months.

Each child is different.

 

mcahill1

Thanks, all!! It's just so hard when you hear all these magic stories or 5 and 6 week olds sleeping through the night. I actually don't mind our current schedule... She's really only getting up once, which is def manageable (famous last words?). Anyway- thanks for all the advice!

TeacherVicky

Ditto everyone else.

At 3m, DS1 stretched out his sessions and was nursing once at bedtime and then once more anywhere between 4-5:30. I considered myself VERY lucky. He dropped that 4-5:30 feeding on his own at about 6m.

The time between sessions will lengthen on their own. Your DD is still very young. Never mind what others say, just follow her lead. Even when they lead to regressions.