How Long at Night is Normal?

[jennbull]

Is it realistic for a 7.5 month old to go 11-12 hours without eating at night?  Or am I expecting too much?

[sara_derek]

Yes it is realistic.  How long is your LO currently going?

[Mariek]

Hi Jenn

Is this question because your LO is or isn't doing this??

If it's because he isn't can you give us some more details of what his schedule is like and maybe we can give you some advice.

love

[kal]

jennbull, thanks for asking this, I was wondering the same thing. My DS is close to the same age and I've been doing a DF at 10p and then he usually wakes for a bottle again between 4-5am, I'm thinking of trying to do away with the DF and then hope at some point he'll drop the early morning feeding on his own but I'm always concerned that he can't go 12 hrs without eating even though he eats over 25oz of formula and 3 solids a day.

[kal]

Bump...Any advice??

[sara_derek]

Hi, sorry it took so long for a reply...this thread got lost in my cyberspace

I would definitely phase out the DF.  He is old enough to drop that and is definitely old enough to go 12 hours without a feeding, especially with that much formula and solids.  I would drop the df first, then work on eliminating the 4 am feeding later.  I think you'll be surprised!

[kdruve]

My lo is 12 weeks old and was wondering how long at night I can leave him without giving him a bottle. He has a bottle every 4hrs during the day and has approx 180ml most of the time. Lately, he has been in a deep sleep from 7pm until about 1am and then wakes and sleeps on and off restlessly till morning. He is not crying out for a bottle so not sure if I should leave him or wake him up properly for a bottle? If I leave him then he may end up going without a bottle for over 10hrs. Is this ok?
I did try a df up until a couple of weeks ago, which he always took, but which seemed to encourage him to want another bottle in 4hrs time. Not sure what to do.......

[sara_derek]

Hi there,
I would let your baby learn to resettle himself (like he's doing when he wakes after 1:00 am right now) instead of giving him a bottle.  10 hours is fine for a 12 week old.  If he wakes up and is truly hungry (a growth spurt is approaching at that age) then feed him.  But if he's waking and then going back to sleep on his own then leave him to it!  It's a great skill for him to learn