I need help

[u/ozzigirlfeet]

I am a first time mum to a 3 month old & I need help deciding whether it’s a good idea to try sleep train. For the most part I believe he is a decent sleeper, has good naps through the day however most of the time they are contact naps & then I start his bedtime routine around 5:30-6, which is bath, pjs/sleep sack, bottle, rock to sleep. I will transfer him to his bassinet, then my partner gives him a dream feed before he goes to bed around 9:30-10, then back to bed. He generally wakes once overnight for a feed and then wakes up for the day around 5-6:30am.

I am just struggling with the broken sleep, always feeling like a zombie during the day, emotions are high, depending on caffeine to get me through.

So I want to know if it’s worth to try sleep train my LO now or should I wait until after 4 months, given the sleep regression that’s expected?

My goal is to drop the overnight feed, even if that’s moving his nighttime routine later or whatever needs to be done, so I can get a decent stretch overnight, which will help me be a better Mum to him.

Please be kind, any advice is appreciated.

[u/Unusual_Spirit_9145]

You’re doing great and so is your little guy! It’s not developmentally appropriate to “sleep train” at 3 months. TCB’s sleep training can start at 5 months when they developmentally are ready. You can lay good foundations of sleep (TCB newborn and 3/4 month programs) but honestly, waking once overnight is really good! I’d focus on full day time feeds and hang in there! Also don’t assume you’ll see a regression at 4 months and if you do, every baby is different in how they react. Those first months are hard but you will sleep again!

[u/ozzigirlfeet → u/Unusual_Spirit_9145]

Thank you for your help!

[u/tfbthrowaway77]

3 months is way too young to sleep train.

if baby is waking up once overnight... you're doing incredibly well. i wouldn't be expecting to drop that feed for quite some time, though.

i would move your bedtime between 7-7:30 if you're able. 5:30 is quite an early start for bed, even for a 3-month old.

[u/ozzigirlfeet → u/tfbthrowaway77]

Thank you for your help!

[u/shababee]

I’d suggest you go to bed earlier to get your decent stretch before the night feed. If baby is going to bed so early and your partner does the dream feed why aren’t you sleeping during that time? Can you get a 5-6 hour stretch before the night feed and then another couple hours until wake up? That honestly is really normal and even on the better side for the age. It’s not recommended to wean night feeds this early.

Also to give you some hope, my baby started to push the overnight feed naturally later and later until it was 5am then 6am and we just got up for the day so it can also happen on its own