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Behaviour/development

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4 month sleep/eat/play cycle

2 replies

Usedtobechilled · 13/04/2023 18:52

I'm at a loss with 4 month old feeding schedule, please help..
I have an 18 week old and I've been following the feed, play, sleep cycle which has been working apart from having to feed every 2 hours because he's only meant to be awake for 90-120mins. However over the last couple of days ive tried to stretch the feeds to every 3 hours by giving him more milk spaced further apart but this messes with the feed play sleep cycle. He'll now wake up and isn't due a feed for ages after. It's causing an unhappy baby. For example, I gave him 150ml at 17:30. He fell asleep at 18:00 (he gets really crabbit if you keep him awake when hes tired so I let him nap) he woke at 18:30 and is now super unhappy for no reason other than I think he wants another feed even though he can't possibly be hungry. Do I just persevere or go back to 2 hourly feeds? It means I have to give him 10 bottles a day and by speaking to people I don't think that's "normal".
Thanks
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SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 14/04/2023 11:43

The Feed, Play Sleep routine was devised by the Baby Whisperer and isn't evidence based. My DSIL did it with her DC1 and had very similar problems and never really got the promised benefits.

At 18 months I'd just offer feeds when they show signs during the day. Most babies will naturally fall into their own rhythm at this age.

If you want something that is evidence based, have a read of Babycalming by Caroline Deacon.

Usedtobechilled · 14/04/2023 16:56

Yea the sleep feed play formula just doesn't make sense when they're only awake for 2 hours max but feed every 3 hours.
It worked well when I fed every 2 hours but it's just constant feeding and he wouldn't nap very long because I think he was hungry.
Think I'm going to do what you suggest and just feed on cue.
Thanks!

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