How can I move 3 week old DS 'long stretch' to later in the evening?

[mabel1973]

I know it is very early days, but I have managed to see a pattern forming with my 3 week old DS. He was a big baby and has been capable of a long stretch of sleep since he was born, unfortunately this seems to be from early evening til about 1.30am, which means he is then having to have 2 night feeds. I am struggling to wake him for the 10.30pm feed, so I know he is not getting enough, as he just falls asleep after a couple of gulps. I have tried to wake him by taking off his clothes, changing his nappy etc, but to no avail.
He then wakes again around 4am ish for the 2nd night feed and is wide awake and won't settle back down.
Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can try and get that long stretch of sleep moved to later on? I know the 10.30pm feed is key, but not sure what else I can do to get him to feed.
Any suggestions would be welcome as I have a toddler as well so I am exhausted!!

[mabel1973]

bump

[elliott]

I never managed it with either of mine. Think it tends to happen mostly with babies who don't settle until later in the evening - then they can be a nightmare when you want your evenings back!
I'd say go to sleep early and let that long stretch of sleep lengthen on its own.

[amijee]

my 10 week old ds is the same and sleeps well from 8 to midnight. I like having the evenins to ourselves even though i am totally sleep deprived. Last night is an example of what he does - slept at 7.45 after feed, then fed at midnight, 2am, 3.30am, 5.20am and 7am.

if it continus beyond 3 mths, i'm adding formula!

[jambot]

Why bother with the 10pm feed? If he's not hungry then, leave him to wake up naturally at about 1 or 2. He should be hungry for a big feed then and this will hopefully knock him out until a reasonable hour in the morning. DD was also a big baby and I never woke her to feed at night. She naturally woke at about 2ish every night, took quite a big feed and then woke at about 6:30ish, with a feed at 7:00am. Her night feed never really got later, she just suddenly slept through without one at about 12 weeks. To be honest, I don't agree with the 'dream feed' concept. Why wake the child up if his body is not naturally waking him due to hunger? Where I live in South Africa, the idea is unheard of. Just a thought anyway. Good Luck.