Author Topic: Suddenly wakes for night feedings after months of sleeping through the night  (Read 950 times)

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Offline Poki Mom

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My five month old son began sleeping through the night (more often than not) at about 5-6 weeks. Around 3 1/2 months, he developed a cold and began waking at night. I would nurse him to help soothe him because he was feeling sick. After about a week of doing that, I inadvertently taught him to wake at night for a feeding (or just a little extra comfort). I began the EASY routine during the day and PU/PD at night 4 days ago. He has been falling asleep really well in his crib for both naps and bedtime, but I still can't get him off the night-feeding routine. I have tried transitioning to a pacifier, but he thumps his head against my breast and refuses the paci for about 1/2 and hour. After that, he usually takes the paci, but will whimper for another 1/2 hour to an hour. Last night and the night before, I gave him a bottle (not the breast) because I thought maybe he really was hungry. I don't think I should have done that...I'm just not sure how else to help him. I can't even calm him enough to begin PU/PD without the paci or a bottle. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

Offline Colin Macs Mom

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Does he take a full feed at night, or just a little? At 5 months it's not totally unheard of for him to still need a night feed.
Jessica
Mom to Colin Ronald, August 18, 2005
Spirited + Reflux =  :o


Offline Poki Mom

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Yes, he does usually take a full feed--but he was able to go all night until he came down with a cold a couple of months ago, so I think he should be able to go all night. I'm just not sure he knows that.

Offline Sarah - Enfys' Mum

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It's like he's developed a habit to "need" that night time feed.  Do you do a dream feed?  If not, adding one might help.  Otherwise, it might help if you keep a record for a couple of nights of when he wakes and how much he takes.  Then, on the first night, you feed him an hour before the earliest time he woke up (ie if he woke at 4,3,4,3,3, you would feed him at 2).  Feed him as much as the biggest feed he took.  Each night, cut the feed by one ounce and add that ounce to his day time feeds to make up for it.  So then, if he wakes up an hour or two after feeding him, you know it's not hunger and can then use PU/PD or pat/shh or whatever to get him back to sleep.

FWIW, our dd is 6.5 months old and has a 6 ounce dream feed around 10/10.30 each night.  I hope to wean it in the next month or so.





Offline Colin Macs Mom

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I agree with Sarah - you can also check this link for info on how to wean the feed.
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=46907.0
Jessica
Mom to Colin Ronald, August 18, 2005
Spirited + Reflux =  :o