STTN Strategies

shugs-n-sweets

I really want to get my LO on a schedule.  He wants to feed every 3-3.5 hours without fail around the clock.  I'd like to increase this time at night so maybe soon he will be STTN.  Is he too young to let him "cry it out" or to even go longer than 4 hours without being fed?  I guess I don't know how to ask my question.  I've read up on some stategies and techniques but I don't know if they apply to preemies.  Any ideas/tips/advice on sleeping is greatly appreciated.

lexismom1008

I can't speak for your LO, but mine needed to eat every 3 hours for the calories. When my DS was ready, he increased his amount per feeding during the day and started sleeping more at night. Just within the last 2 weeks he has started getting up once through the night. IMO, your LO is still too young to let CIO. But that's just my opinion. I found that if my DS was hungry he wouldn't go back to sleep no matter what, otherwise he would go right back to sleep with a little comforting. GL!!

luckycooky

When DD is hungry, there is no CIO option.  She will not stop until she either gets food or goes into her "scary cry" (quits breathing).  One dr. told us that at about 12-14wks adjusted, it is like a light bulb going off and they will begin sleeping through the night.  DD did it a little earlier but it was not something we could train her to do.  Our pedi specifically told us until about 3 mo actual that she should not go more than 4 hrs without food for the calories (as PP mentioned).  I'm sure this is not what you wanted to hear but it does get better and judging by your siggy, it should get better soon.

lemen99

Andrew STTN (8 hours) by 6 weeks ajdusted and 12 hours by 3 months adjusted.  We had the opposite problem though where he wouldn't wake to eat. I would read Healthy Sleeep Habits Happy Child

I think she's a bit young, IMO, to let her CIO.  I think frequent awakenings at this age are still pretty normal esp for a preemie.

To encourage her to STTN, my advice is that you are sure to put her in bed awake, so she learns to self-soothe.  Even if you have to go back in and soothe her and try again, she's learning.

Lavender444

I'm still waiting for my LO to STTN. He is still up 1-4 times. I don't have the stomach for CIO and he is hungry when he wakes so I don't know if it would make a difference. But I can tell you very few experts are going to reccomend CIO prior to 6 months. For a preemie I would wait until they were 6 months actual. Prior to 6 months they are crying because they have a need. Sometimes it's needing to eat, sometimes it's just wanting comfort. They are not good at self soothing and studys show CIO done too young can do more harm than good.

 It helps to establish a bed time routine. We do baths, bottle, book, bed. Put her down drowsey but awake and keep the room on the cooler side of warm. Also make sure she is getting time to nap during the day, Sleep begates sleep. The better she naps in the day, the better she'll sleep at night.

 I know how it feels to be so tired. I have 2 LO's and a husband who is gone 6 days a week. Some days are tough, but the important thing to remember is to ask for help when you are struggling. Hang in there

shugs-n-sweets

Thank you for everyone's responses.  I appreciate the feedback.  I'll probably wait until he's a little older to hope for a full nights sleep   We'll get there - I know.

beachykeen1723

Your LO's body is only supposed to be a month old.  I know it isn't what you want to hear, but he needs to eat that often.  What worked for us was following Cooper's cues.  He started cluster feeding around 4 weeks adjusted, eating evrey 2 hours in the evening, and then sleeping 5 hours at night.  If your baby is fussy, try feeding him more often in the day, especially the late afternoon and evening, and if he is ready he will sleep a little longer at night. Good luck!!