An update is in order I think! After a lovely two week break, I am back helping babies sleep 12 hours through the night and back in London again.
Al was three and a half weeks old on my arrival, waking two to three times a night. Having followed my advice before my arrival, Al’s day is well structured, feeding every three and half hours and good awake time after feeds. He, like a lot of babies, has wind issues. Al breathes through his mouth while feeding so makes a lot of noise and sucks in air. He is unable to circular breathe so feeding and sucking is erratic.
Al is formula fed. 99% of my clients breast feed but sometimes it’s just not an option. Firstly, I changed the feeding teat to a Mam teat. This fits better in his mouth so he doesn’t suck air around it. I then upped his milk intake during the day feeds and decreased the night feed milk. I encouraged longer awake time at each period and swaddled him at night. This resulted in his first night with me, waking only once for a quick 4oz feed. Result!!!
Al is a long and big baby and is hungry for his milk, finishing most feeds in 20 minutes- this is super fast! With such a big appetite it may take a while for him to go through the night. Do check me out on twitter for instant updates and useful baby info.
Thanks, many many THANKS to you Charmian!!
I followed your tips about leaving the baby without jumping on her at the very first signs and it worked!!
I swapped with my wife and I am now doing the night, giving a boost of milk only between 2 and 3 am, pretty much the only time she truly wakes up, and it’s going really well. I followed your tips also on how to put the baby down, gradually reducing the rocking on my arms and that’s working too!!!
I am very happy now, my wife is finally getting a bit of rest and the baby seems very very happy!!!!
Meeting you at The Proud Archivist has been really helpful and receiving such clear and no-non-sense advice from an expert like you, has made my life much easier and pleasant.
THANKS
Mimi