4 months- what happened to my good eater????

[kcasey]

My DD has been such a good eater up until this week.  She had transitioned from a 3 hour EASY to a 4 hour EASY about 2-3 weeks ago.  Usually she eats between 4-6 ounces at each feed, now this week she will barely eat at all!!!!  I had to swaddle her the past couple mornings just to get a few ounces in.  Aaaarrrgghhh! 

Is this just a developmental milestone?  She seems to be pretty happy most of the rest of the day.  She has been wanting to be held a lot more as well, but I'm not sure that is related.  I remember there were some frustrating eating episodes with my first DD, but I don't remember at what age.

She has also been waking up every couple hours at the beginning of the night, then every hour from about 3:00 on..... 

Here is our EASY (or what we have been attempting at least)
6:00- wake-up
E- 7:00
A-
S- 8:30 or 9:00 (for 1.5 hours)
E- 11:00
A-
S-1:30 or 2:00 for (1.5-2.5 hours)
E- 3:00
A-
S-catnap (45 minutes)
E- 6:00 or 6:30
A-bath
S: bedtime around 7:00-7:15
DF around 10:30

[TDR'smom]

Hi kcasey!!  Welcome to the boards!!  Looks like your lo is on a great routine!!

DD did the same thing right when she turned 4 months.  It might be developmental.  They are just getting so aware of what is going on around them that they are distracted.  We would swaddle and feed in a dark room.  It only lasted a week or 2 (but seemed like forever), she is 5 months now and occassionally is distracted during feedings but for the most part has returned to being a good eater.

The waking could also be developmental and might be best to ride it out as opposed to doing something drastic!!

HTH!!

xxx
Judy

[kcasey]

Thanks Judy!  I appreciate your thoughts.  I took her to the pediatrician today because DD woke up EVERY 1/2 hour last night!!!  Aaarrggh!  That was rough.  The doc thought that her 4 month shots (she received 4 shots on Tuesday) could be causing her fussiness.  That seems a little long to me to still be causing the fussies, but who knows. 

I just hope she pulls out of this soon.  I have to go back to work the beginning of January and it is stressing me out to think that DD will not really have a good "routine" for the caregiver to follow

I love your posted picture!  Adorable!!!!

[* Paula *]

Hi Kcasey,

I agree with Judy, it definitely can be developmental, but could also be a few other things.

What size teat are you using?  Do you think your lo could be ready for the next stage up teat?

I would also not rule out teething.  Your lo may not be cutting a tooth, but they could be moving up in the gums and this can also cause discomfort.

Also developmental milestones i.e. rolling etc can wreak havoc on routines, so this could also be the reason for the fussiness and night wakings.

Hugs, hope things improve soon 

[Luara]

About the night wakings... it was happening exactly the same w/ my 4m DD!! But I found out my DH was making her fall asleep in his arms when I asked him to go to her room when she cried at night and I knew wasn't hunger. Since I taught him to PU/PD she's getting better, but still not the way it used to be (only at around 3 to be fed).

What do you usually do when she wakes at night?

[* Paula *]

When she wakes in the night, is she crying or is she quite happy?

If she is quite happy I would be inclined to see if she will settle herself back to sleep.  If she is crying and you know it is not out of hunger, I would offer a small amount of water incase she is thirsty and then put down, if she starts crying PU/PD.

[kcasey]

She is def. crying and cannot settle herself back to sleep.  I try giving her the paci, but sometimes she will have nothing to do with it.  I need toi read up again on PUPD, since I never used it with DD1, but I need to learn for DD2.  I used the pat shh and it worked wonders for her when she was really fussy at 4-6 weeks. 
I changed her to a size 2 teet about 3 weeks ago and she has taken to it really well.  I really wonder if it is early teething.  She is for the most part really happy during the day....
Any thoughts?  Thanks ladies!

[* Paula *]

I would pop over to the PU/PD boards, the ladies on there are really helpful, and they will be able to give you some great advice and encouragement.

I always find that when my DD teeths, she is always worse at night.