4.5 m/o - waking every 4ish hours at night for feed

[Buntybear]

Please could I have some advice or even just reassurance I am not doing anything wrong! 

DS is 20 weeks old and EBF. At 6 weeks we were on 10, 2 and 6 night feeds, by 9 weeks he was going 9-10 hours bed by 8/9ish through till 5/6ish. BRILL I thought!

At about 3 months he started to wake a bit more at night and so I went to 3.5 and then 4 hour EASY. No improvement on night feeds. In amongst this we had the 4 month growth spurt, this was about 3 weeks ago so don't think it can still be this. We don't do a DF as it didn't work.

He is still now feeding twice at night and bringing that first feed forward. Was at 1-2, then 12-1 last night it was 10.30! He still woke at 3ish and then 7. Of course this is now turning into a DF and 1 night feed but it is driving me crazy as I no he was doing 9 hours straight! I try and get to bed by 9.30 so it is still like a night feed to me 

I have tried to not feed but he screams and screams until fed.

I am trying to go back to a 3.5 EASY and feeding from both sides - not working. Started to feed from both sides at night too now to see if he will go longer.

I thought as they got older they should sleep longer at night?? The opposite is happening with us. I wonder if it is because he is just more active now and needs more food? Of course I am paranoid I am not supplying enough milk for his needs in the day.

Eeekk - any advice?? I am so tired and grumpy - I need my sleep!

[Buntybear]

Also, have a Q about HOW he feeds...

He feeds really well for 5 mins. Then bobs on and off for a further 10 until losing interest. I swap sides and the same thing happens. He seems full and doesn't get hungry again until I feed 3.5/4 hours later. He was always a slow eater and we have had 2 hour feeding sessions when getting established!

This has been happening for a couple of weeks now. Is it just that he has become efficient or is it that I don't have enough milk to keep him going more than 5 mins? I wouldn't say the breast is 'drained' but def much emptier!

This is only in the day, at night he will stay on the breast until sleepy.

Thanks

[~ Vik ~]

Hi!

Two night feeds, or 1 dream feed and 1 night feed, is really quite normal at this age.  It is frustrating when they go from having nice long stretches to needing to feed more frequently, but it's not completely uncommon in ebf babies.  As long as he is taking full feeds then I would continue to offer them.  Have you read http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=98183.0 ?

And re: the short feeds, also totally normal!  Babies become much more efficient nursers as they get older, and can take full feeds in a surprisingly short time.  As long as he is satisfied between feeds and is giving you plenty of wet and dirty diapers then everything is just fine   Check out http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65904.0 for more info if you want.

hth

[Tay]

Just something came to me... How does he feed on the night feeds? Is it the 5min like the daytime feeds or is it any different?
xxx

[Buntybear]

Just something came to me... How does he feed on the night feeds? Is it the 5min like the daytime feeds or is it any different?
xxx

Hi, he feeds 15 mins and then drops off to sleep. I have now started to put him on the other side just before this and he feeds about the same. Prob bit longer than the day feed as no distractions but then again he is sleepier so feeds slower!

[Buntybear]

Hi!

Two night feeds, or 1 dream feed and 1 night feed, is really quite normal at this age.  It is frustrating when they go from having nice long stretches to needing to feed more frequently, but it's not completely uncommon in ebf babies.  As long as he is taking full feeds then I would continue to offer them.  Have you read http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=98183.0 ?

And re: the short feeds, also totally normal!  Babies become much more efficient nursers as they get older, and can take full feeds in a surprisingly short time.  As long as he is satisfied between feeds and is giving you plenty of wet and dirty diapers then everything is just fine   Check out http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65904.0 for more info if you want.

hth

Thanks, have read both those links on several occasions as re-assurance!! Glad to know we are normal and just have to live with the fact that we will have night feeds for a while yet. I am pleased with myself for getting this far EBF as it took 2 months to get pain free xx

[AngelaF]

No advice but I am in EXACTLY the same boat with my guy. He eats but doesn't seem hungry, he pops on and off and I know there's milk because it sprays everywhere!  The last feeding he didn't eat for more than 5 min per side and then was fussing 15 min later. DH gave him a bottle and he drained six oz, so I am feeling so frustrated!

I just wanted to let you know you're not alone!

[AngelaF]

Just something came to me... How does he feed on the night feeds? Is it the 5min like the daytime feeds or is it any different?
xxx

and my guy is the same here too...he feeds for much longer and he's much calmer at night feeds than during the day.

[Buntybear]

Thanks Angela, lets hope it improves for us both soon!