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Eat, play, eat, sleep?

megswenmegswen member
edited March 2014 in November 2013 Moms
Whose babies have a similar schedule as this one? When my son was brand new up until he was about 6 or 7 weeks, this was his schedule. Then around that 6-7 week mark, we got rid of that second feeding, and he didn't seem to have a problem with it at all. 

Lately he's been refusing naps and his pacifier (his pacifier was the only thing that would get him to nap, unless you count my boob). Last night and this morning, I decided to nurse him right before his bedtime/nap and then put him down drowsy but awake, and he went right to sleep, in his crib, no less (normally he only sleeps well in his swing)! 

I should mention he's always been the type of baby who will always take the boob, even if he's just been fed 10 minutes prior. I think it may be a comfort thing, as well as a hunger thing. For the record, he's also been waking up every 2 hours on average at night to eat. I figured this is regular for the 4-month wakeful.

My questions are these:
1. Do you think this is part of the 4-month wakeful--that maybe he just needs to eat more often in the daytime, too, to be able to nap better?
2. Is it REALLY true that you can't overfeed a breastfed baby? My guy's pretty chunky. :)
3. How many of you are in a similar situation, with the eat, play, eat, sleep schedule? I'm mostly wondering if this is normal, and if I'll be able to eventually get him back on an eat, play, sleep schedule again.

I think my biggest concern is the whole nursing him to sleep thing. I know it's not necessarily a bad thing, but I know it's suggested and ideal that babies are able to put themselves to sleep without the help of a boob. I'm just worried that I'm creating a monster that will always want to be nursed to sleep.

Any input you guys have would be SO appreciated! I'm at a loss of ideas right now. Thanks! :)

ETA: missing word
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Re: Eat, play, eat, sleep?

  • barista411barista411 member
    DS is on the same schedule. I had some issues with over supply and had read that feeding them while they are sleepy can be better. The logic behind it is that they will be too tired and will drift off to sleep if their bellies are full instead of just eating everything that is available.

    Based off of why you are describing it sounds like he could be in the 4MW. They typically are more destracted during feeding and will make up the extra calories during the night time feedings.

    Based off of my experience you can over feed a BF baby. They will typically throw up if their belly is too full and the milk will change or adjust if baby is eating a lot which is why I believe they say that. However, my DS was gaining a considerable amount of weight and only throwing up once a day. I had to try get my supply under control so he idnt have access to the large quantity of milk.

    Lately we have doing play, eat, sleep and that seems to be working for us. I never let him fall asleep eating. I made that mistake with DD and she was completely unable to put herself to sleep. Instead I allow DS to eat and then when I notice him slowing down and not swallowing as much I lay him down. He may fuss for a minute or two but then he drift off to sleep. That isn't to say you can't switch to back to eat, play, sleep but more to say you don't have to be afraid of feeding him before he sleeps. I would just be careful about nursing him to a full sleep.
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  • Zilly13Zilly13 member

    How long is he awake between naps?  I'm wondering if maybe you are missing his optimal sleep time and that's why he's taking a second feeding and refusing naps?

    My DD1 was impossible to put down for naps.  Refused and fought sleep for hours.  We usually ended up feeding her because that was the only way she'd be calm and would usually fall asleep eating.

    Now looking back, I was missing her cues and letting her stay awake too long.  Depending on how long he's awake I would try putting him down earlier.  I've read that when babies exhibit signs of excitement - flailing their arms, shifting eyes - that they are actually starting to be tired.  Once they are fussing they've reached overtired stage. 

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  • megswenmegswen member
    Zilly13 said:

    How long is he awake between naps?  I'm wondering if maybe you are missing his optimal sleep time and that's why he's taking a second feeding and refusing naps?

    From the time he starts eating to the time we put him down for a nap is about an hour and fifteen minutes, give or take.

    That's good to know about when they act excited and flail their arms. I've noticed that he does that; I just thought he was happy to see me. :)

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  • 3Dewdrops3Dewdrops member
    We're in a similar situation here.

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