Sleeping FAQ: 3-4 Months – Early Morning Waking

Has dropping the 10pm feed led to my 3-month-old waking early?

With some persistence, we have succeeded in getting daytime naps more regular and as per 14 week baby recommendation (also a bit longer, as my daughter was previously waking after 45 minutes and not settling herself). We have continued with a 20 minute nap at about 4.30pm and a split feed at 5.15pm/6.15pm as she is invariably very tired at bedtime (she always has had a cry between bath and bottle since very young). She goes down beautifully at 7pm, sometimes a little earlier – up to 15 minutes. However, about 3 weeks ago we cut out the 10.30pm feed (3ozs) because she wasn’t finishing her 7am bottle and from around that time she has woken at 5.45am/6am 2 mornings out of 3. She is not in the least upset and will gurgle until I go in at 6.45am, also she still doesn’t finish her 7am bottle some mornings, so I have assumed it’s not hunger. I have therefore spent the last week trying to help her get back to sleep with mixed success (and at significant cost to my neck and back as it usually takes 20-30 minutes of hanging over her cot!), but this doesn’t seem to be having any impact. I am letting her sleep longer from 8.15am to 9.45am to make up, which I am sure is not helping but necessary, and there is no way I could push her later than 8.15am. Should we reintroduce the 10pm feed – and if so, do it as a “dream feed” or actively keep her awake? To be honest, for myself, I think I’d rather have her wake at 6am than keep her awake 10pm-11pm but not sure if that would have a negative impact on her now, or further down the line.

At present she takes 8ozs at 7am, 11am, 7ozs at 2.30pm. 3ozs at 5.15pm and 6ozs at 6.15pm. She weighs 14lbs 1oz.

As you have noticed dropping the 10pm feed has not made any impact on your daughter taking a full feed at 7am. The impact though has been for her to begin to wake early. Many babies before the age of 4 months do still need to be awake for a period between 7pm and 7am if they are to sleep well in the early morning. Try giving her a small 2-3 oz feed at 10/10.30pm. Wake her for this and keep her awake for 1/2 -3/4hr, letting her have a quiet kick if she wants. If she begins to sleep through nearer to 7am for at least a week then you can begin to reduce the time by a few minutes every few nights until she is up for 20 – 30.

Some babies need this small extra feed until well past four months, especially now the weaning guidelines have changed, and it is often not started until the fifth month. Babies do go through a growth spurt between three and four months and this small feed should help them get nearer to 7am rather than beginning to look for a feed earlier in the morning.

Once she begins to sleep longer in the mornings then cut back on the first nap of the day so she is going down nearer to 9am and having about 45 minutes. Many babies need a small afternoon catnap so they can make it through bath time and to prevent them from falling asleep exhausted at 7pm. Again, until she manages to get nearer to 7am for at least a week, keep the split feed in place.

Finally do check that she is not getting out from her covers, which is causing her to wake. The Moro reflex can still be quite strong at this age, so try to tuck her in well, using rolled up towels down the side of the cot spars to secure a cotton sheet over her, even if she is in a lightweight sleeping bag. It would be best if you left her to settle herself alone rather than going into her, especially as she is not distressed. She could easily begin to expect you to come in and associate settling herself back to sleep with your presence. As you are letting her have a longer morning nap to make up for this earlier waking, then try the small 10pm feed and see if she is able to sleep for longer or resettle herself should she stir earlier.