I did GF routine with my DTs and the slept through around 6.5 months. I had a similar problem that they did not want the 10.30p feed at around 4 months. That feed was pushed to 1a-2a and for a short time they would still wake up at 5a for a feed. If I tried to wake them up for a feed or do dream feed at 10.30p, they would only take 1-2oz at most and then wake up twice.

After a while they dropped the 5a feed and woke only once between 7-7 some where in the middle. 2-3 weeks later they dropped that but started their day 5.45a-6a. Now at 11 months they start their day at 6.30a/7a.

Just wanted to show you that a lot of different things can happen with any routine. I liked GF because I like routines. But had to modify to suit my/DTs need.

Hi, I bf and followed GF with all 3 of mine (more roughly with DD2 and DS as harder to do strict routines with more little people around). Anyway, none of mine ever really got on with the 10.30 pm feeds and I gave up on it with all of them around 6 weeks and then their night time sleeping slowly extended through the night (all 3 slept 7 to 7 by 12 weeks - I was v lucky). My only advice on night times would be in respect of one thing you said.....

"we're so close in rooms I can hear him shuffling about before he cries so I never have to deal with a distressed baby which helps"

Although obviously no one would want to have a distressed howling baby on their hands I do think that an important factor in babies sleeping through the night is them learning to resettle themselves. I absolutely do not advocate leaving a baby to cry himself to sleep on his own but my policy on night wakes was ALWAYS to leave them for a couple of minutes before going in. You'd be surprised how often they dropped straight back off to sleep after a minute or two of fussing and crying. After the first 6 weeks or so I always then spent a minute or two trying to help them to resettle without feeding, which worked surprisingly often, although I would feed if that didn't work. So just a thought - maybe don't rush in immediately when you hear shuffling and stirring.

As to the daytime distractibility I would just go with the flow as others have said - he will take what he needs.

cfc - yes to your last comment, gina and many others have got very rich from telling us what our babies will probably do naturally anyway.

however i have nothing against using these books and guides for the first babies especially as it's good to have some help and guidance when you feel so out of control!

I can't help agreeing with those who say perhaps you should let your baby guide you a little now though. And don't be too rigid about things like bedtimes, it may come back to haunt you when you want to be a bit more flexible, for example on holiday. And if you have another child, forget it. In my experience routines just don't work the 2nd time round as you have the first child to consider.

hence dd1 is a strict routine gal and dd2 just goes with the flow...

Well I'm usually the one in the bath with him as I hate the getting him dried, nappied and dressed part!

We get into the bath about 6.15 and stay in there for about 20-25 mins, depending on his signs of tiredness. Then hubby takes him and does all the bits I don't like and I soak in hot water for a little while, literally 5 mins if I'm lucky. Then I get out, hubby passes him to me and I feed him in my towel.

He is such an efficient feeder, always has been. He's always been a great weight which has allayed any fears I had about him not taking enough with the mega short feeds he has. He will feed for approx 10 mins and I'll put him straight down into his grobag and blanket.

He's so used to this routine now, it's been a lifesaver for us. We get all evening together. The baby is always in bed for 7. Always. He's so good at it, I wonder if I wasn't following GF would he just slip into it anyway?!

Aww, that does sound lovely. DS rarely gets a sore bum, but sometimes with teething or if he's kept quiet about a nappy. I like the sound of your bedtime routine - how long does your DS take to have his feed? Our routine starts at 6.15 with a bath, then can take anything up to an hour for him just to feed and be in bed (7.30ish). He snuggles in and gets very sleepy, so lazy slow sucking. But at least I get to sit down .

I suppose that sounds a bit but basically when hubby comes home and I've finished baby's dinner etc he takes baby upstairs and gets him stripped off. My mum was a nurse and is a great believer in babies' bums getting some air for at least half hour a day to prevent nappy rash.

So they just play on a towel in baby's room.

Then depending on who is getting in the bath with him we do the naked to the bath walk! So cute watching him stomp his way to the bathroom!

Silly I know, but he's never had a sore bum. Not even with all the teething and dribble etc.

<<whispers>> "naked time for an hour with his daddy" what's this? [nosy emoticon]

Ok thanks!

He has a milk feed at 7 ish, following one at about 3am that morning.

Then at 8.30ish he has baby porridge and freshly pureed fruit in the morning. Perhaps one tblspn porridge and 3 fruit - level, not heaped.

For lunch at 12ish he has vegetables - I pre-freeze them and he has perhaps 4 ice cubes, but he seldom finishes this. He then has a petit filous because he loves it so much! If we have any fruit left over from the morning I bung that in too.

Throughout the day I put him to the breast whenever he's bitching but I can seldom get him to sit there and take a feed. I hark for the days when I could actually watch a full episode of Sex and the City whilst he was feeding, so easy!

Then for dinner at about 5.30 he has again the veg perhaps with some rice, let's say 4 cubes veg and one heaped tblspn baby rice. He doesn't have a pudding at this meal!

He has naked time for an hour with his daddy and then a bath and bed at 7. He usually takes a great feed at this time.

Last night actually he woke at 10 for a feed and took a good one, then again at about 3.30am if I remember correctly. I've had the lurgy so am woolly headed.

So how does that sound? TIA.

Hi cfc,

Perhaps if you posted how much solids and milk your baby is taking, as it is possible you are not getting the balance right?

GF does say that many babies aged six months may still need a feed in the night until solids are well established. The fact you are getting only up once in the night sounds very good to me. But I understand that the screaming fits needs to be sorted out, do post your details.

at cfc - as you say, I've not found any other way either!

"hard work this, I'd just got bf sorted and now I have to feed him solids"

My thoughts exactly! It is such a steep learning curve. But it sounds like you are doing all the best things you can, so just try to keep at it, and as everybody keeps telling me, this too will pass.