Maximize the first nighttime stretch (aiming for 7.5–8 hours) and "bridge" the early morning wake to reach a consistent 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM start of the day.
The secret to the long stretch is front-loading calories in the evening.
5:15 PM: Evening Breastfeed (can be a full feed or a slightly shorter "appetizer").
6:45 PM: The Routine Starts. Nighttime bath (warm water rinse signals the brain it’s "long sleep" time).
7:00 PM: The "Closer" Bottle. Aim for 4.25oz – 5oz. Consistency in timing (7:00 PM) is more important than the extra ounce.
7:30 PM: Lights Out. This is her "Sweet Spot" for falling asleep.
When she wakes in the "Danger Zone" (5:00 AM – 6:00 AM), use this logic to decide the next move:
Gap < 2.5 Hours (e.g., fed at 3:30 AM):
Action: Direct to Contact Nap.
Logic: She is not hungry; she just needs help transitioning sleep cycles while her drive to sleep is low.
Gap 2.5 – 3 Hours (e.g., fed at 2:45 AM):
Action: The 10-Minute Cuddle Test.
If she settles on you, sleep until 8:00 AM. If she roots or stays restless, give a "Snack Feed" (one side only / 5-10 mins) then finish the sleep on you.
Gap > 3 Hours (e.g., fed at 2:00 AM or earlier):
Action: Full MOTN Feed (keep it dark/boring), then move to Contact Nap.
Logic: She has legitimate hunger and won't sleep deeply without a full belly.
The Bridge: If she wakes at 5:30 AM and settles easily on you, take the win! This is not a "bad habit" at 11 weeks; it’s ensuring she doesn't start her day overtired.
The Reset: To set her internal clock, always make the 8:00 AM / 8:30 AM wake-up high energy. Open the blinds, use a "morning" voice, and do a full "Start of Day" feed.
Morning Nap (Practice): Try the first nap of the day (~9:00 AM) in the crib. If it's only 20 mins, that's okay!
Afternoon Nap (The Anchor): The 1:00 PM / 2:00 PM nap should be a solid contact nap (1.5 - 2 hours). This nap is what prevents the "evening meltdown" and makes the 7:30 PM bedtime possible.
Target Bottle Size: 5oz is her "golden number" for a long stretch.
Wake Window: Keep awake time between 75 – 90 minutes.
Temperature: Check if the room is cold at 5:00 AM (aim for 68-70°F).
Digger's Note: You’ve already achieved 8-hour stretches , so we know Olivia's body is capable of it! This plan just aligns her daytime "anchor" naps and evening "tanking" to make those stretches happen every night.