Will they ever sleep through the night?

My twin boys are 5 weeks old. They were 5 weeks early, so they are just now "term". I know it's early to expect them to sleep through the night, but I wanted to make sure we're on the right track. They are currently on a 3 hr feeding schedule, except overnight when we let them wake on their own (and we wake the twin who didn't wake to feed them so they are on the same schedule). Then we readjust at 10am to get back on a schedule for the day. Even though we let them wake on their own overnight, they still wake every 3-3.5 hours and it's about to kill me. Is that normal? I'm feeding them 3 oz in their nighttime bottles with rice for reflux issues, so one would think they would be full. My pedi said to feed them between 2-3 oz but no more than 4 oz. Does it sound like we're doing the right thing for them to eventually sleep through the night? They just seem so far off from being able to do it. Thoughts?

 

You are doing every right! Because they have reflux, I would follow the pedi's advice on amounts, but if it seems like they want to eat more (crying after feeding) I would give another ounce. I really HATE to tell you this, but...my boys STTN finally at 7 months. That was about 3x's a week, but the other 4x's they woke for a paci. I think 3-8 months for STTN is pretty average. Some STTN earlier and some later, but it does take time. Is there anyone who can do one of the night feedings for you?

 

I think you are doing everything right. Babies really vary when it comes to STTN. I know my 5 all slept through at different times & it's unpredictable. They can go from being up several times a night to sleeping through fairly quickly. Unfortunately, right now they are at an age where they still really need to eat in the night. Eventually they will outgrow that & you will have sleepers! :hug:

 

I feel your pain! My twin girls are 4 1/2 months and still waking once at night to be fed...and that is a huge improvement from the beginning which was very much like what you are experiencing. You've probably heard it all, but from the time I brought them home from the NICU I put a wedge in each of their cribs to keep their heads elevated...helps with the reflux, and a white noise machine seems to help them get back to sleep after each feeding. I also found that I got the best sleep in between feedings if I put them in their crib after feeding and slept in a different room (with the monitor on low of course). You are doing all the right things. Unfortunately, it just takes time. All three of my girls were preemies and I found that when all of my girls got to around the 10-11lb mark they started sleeping much better because their tummies hold more. Even when you can get a stretch of 6 hours at night you will feel like a new woman! It's coming!

 

As far as the amount, reflux issues, do they seem full after 2-3oz? We had reflux too, but I usually gave them as much as they wanted, unless of course they were vomiting up a lot, which didn't seem to happen a lot. They ate until they were full. We were up every 3 hours at that age, around the clock. Hang in there!

 

one of may twins still does not sleep through the night and he is 11.5 months old!! my daughter sleeps a good 12 hours but not my son. It is sooo frustrating. My oldest son did the same and we found that is was due to his tonsils and adenoids being to large. So maybe my infant son has the same issue we will have to see.

 

That's what I was going to say, I had reflux issues with my oldest son and youngest daughter and I never limited what they ate, unless after they ate it looked like they vomited the whole bottle up. If they are still fussing/crying after they eat 3 oz I would definitely up the amt in each bottle by an oz.

As for sttn, it's still way early for that now! :hug: All my kids STTN by 3 months at the latest, but I know I was very lucky all my kids were pretty big and were able to eat more to keep them fuller overnight! :hug:

 

I think 3-3.5 hours at night sounds like heaven in a zero week adjusted baby. ardon: Keep up the great work.

 

It sound normal to me. If I were in your shoes, I'd just stick to the routine, and I wouldn't worry too much about STTN yet. It will probably fall into place in the next few months, and they will STTN. Of course, mine didn't STTN until 13 month old, and woke every 3-4 hours until 8 months old. Hopefully, you'll have better luck.

 

I agree with this, it sounds good.

My girls slept through consistantly from 7months on the dot. They started to space out the night feeds around 8weeks. Try and just go wth it for now and try and sleep when they nap during the day if you can.

Just wanted to add that my girls ate little and often when they were diagnosed reflux. They went from a 4hr to 3hr schedule and still follow this through the daytime now.