Waking in the middle of the night

Our babies are 11 weeks and still waking every 3-4 hours through the night for a feeding. We are no longer waking them up to eat, but letting them sleep as long as they want during the night. They sometimes go as long as 5 1/2 hours, which is great. They also go right back to sleep after eating. I don't think STTN is too far off. They sleep in a co-sleeper next to our bed and I usually breastfeed one twin and DH bottle feeds the other. We feed them while lying in our bed.

So a few times in the last week, one of our boys wakes after 4 hours or so to eat, but by the time I get him moved to our bed and get in a comfortable position and ready to nurse (2 mins tops) he is done fussing and drifting off to sleep. I think he may just want to snugglel or be held. I try to put him to breast and he's not interested, too sleepy. After that, I've let him sleep next to me for a little while, assuming he'll wake up in a few minutes, but he'll sleep for another hour or more. He wakes and fusses again shortly after I move him back to his bed.

So what do you think? Am I creating a bad habit if I let him sleep in our bed for a couple of hours in the night? Should I try this every night in an attempt to eliminate a feeding that I don't think he really seems to want/need? Or should I try to feed him every time he wakes like I have been?

 

Early this morning I tried comforting him in our bed instead of offering him the breast right away. He ended up going right back to sleep, for several hours.

 

So hard when they are little to work out what they want. I personally would see if you can comfort him back to sleep in the co-sleeper (rubbing back, patting bottom, etc) so that if he is going to sleep for an extended period of time you can then have a bit of sleep without worrying about him being in with you. I know I used to barely breathe if I had a baby in bed with me because I didn't want to wake him! As for habits, I wouldn't worry too much. Habits can be changed when they are ready for a more solid routine. Good luck. Hopefully others will have some awesome advice for you.

 

I agree with pp. I would try to get him back to sleep in the co-sleeper. He does seem to want to be near mommy. I would shush, pat his back/bum, or try the pacifier if he takes it. I agree not to worry too much about bad habits-they are so little right now. But I do have a neighbor down the street who has twins who just turned six-and one of them still gets in bed with them! But at that age-you should be fine. You know what is best for your family, and what works. And if you are getting an extra hour-heck even five minutes :laughing: of sleep-go for it!