7-month-old prefers eating at night!

[kyanmama]

Hello,

This is my first post, and I wasn't sure which section to post it in...
So here is my situation... I have a wonderful 7-month-old son who is happy and thriving. He is formula fed and started solids at 6 months. We have worked out a pretty consistent routine during the days (basically the 4 hr EASY with minor adaptions). However, he is still waking 2 times at night to feed. He generally takes about 4 ounces at each night feed.  I'm assuming that he just isn't eating enough during the day and is making up for it at night. I have attempted to up his day feeds (add the extra ounces), but he refuses to eat more than about 3 ounces per feed. Any thoughts on how to up his daytime intake? Is this just a very slow process of cutting back at night and adding during the day (like, half an ounce at a time, or something) I have tried to make his day feeds as quiet and uneventful as possible, but continue to get the same results...Thoughts or suggestions? Please??


Thanks sooooooo much!

[kyanmama]

Hi,

Thanks so much for the reply! Sorry I didn't include more info. After I posted, I realized I should have, but didn't get a chance to until now.

Here is the typical routine:

Wake- 7:30
E- 7:45 -2-3 TB Cereal (rice, barley, oatmeal, etc.)
           -2 TB Fruit
           -3 oz. bottle (sometimes will only take 2)
A- 8:00- 9:00 (play on mat with mom, tummy time, jumperoo, etc.)
S- 9:00-10:00/10:30
A- 10:00/10:30-11:45 (Books, toys, go for walk, etc.)
E- 11:45- 2-3 TB Veggie
           - 1-2 TB Fruit
           - 3 oz. bottle (sometimes only 2)
S- 12:30-2:00/2:30
A- 2:00/2:30- 4:00 (run errands with mom, play date with friend, etc.)
E- 4:00- 3 oz bottle (sometimes only 2)
A- 4:30-5:00
E- 5:00- 2-3 TB Cereal
          -1-2 TB Veggies
          -1-2 TB Fruit
S- 5:30-6:30
A- 6:30-8:00 (floor play, jumperoo, etc., then bath time)
E- 8:00- 3 oz. bottle (sometimes only 2)
S- 8:30 Bed time- go to bedroom, read ~2 books, swaddle, cuddle and talk softly, then place in crib while drowsy. 
He then usually wakes ~10-30 (stirs, fusses, then usually cries loudly). We feed him at this time, usually 3-4 oz. bottle.
~1:30 stirs, wakes, we give 3-4 oz. bottle
~4:00 stirs, wakes, we give 3-4 oz. bottle


We have tried the dream feed, but still had the 1:30 and 4:00 waking. Have tried PU/PD, which does settle him (most of the time), but I feel that he is waking at night due to hunger (since he actually eats at the offered feeds), so feel like I can't just deny him food until morning. Am I wrong? I realize that this is a cycle that needs to be broken, but I'm not sure how. I try to make the day feeds as low key as possible to avoid distraction, but to no avail. I'm not sure how to get him to eat more during the day- he simply refuses the bottle after 2-3 oz. Have tried sippy cup and get the same result.

He usually has a soother when he goes to bed, but is not dependent on it. We always swaddle him and have calm, quiet time in his darkened room for about 10 minutes or so before sleep, then place him in crib while drowsy. He typically goes to bed fairly easily. We use PU/PD when needed.

Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

[kyanmama]

Thanks so much! I really, REALLY appreciate your help. I was wondering about his A time as well, so I'll check out the link you posted. I'll update with any progress we make!

Again, THANK YOU!

[Love, laughter, & PJs]

I agree with Jane about the A time.  Just another thought - you may need to stop the night feeds entirely to get hi to take more during the day.  Yes he'll be hungry that night but he'll take more the next day and that may help you break the cycle.  I basically had to do that with my LO.  Tough couple of nights but now he takes a lot more during the day.  It's not for everyone but it's another idea. 

[kyanmama]

Thanks kmk512 for the reply and advice!

Right now my LO is screaming his head off, and has been doing so for about the last hour and a half. DH is in with him doing PU/PD. It is so difficult not to just cuddle him and comfort him and give him a bottle, but we are determined. I'm pretty sure he's not crying due to hunger, as he was fed about 2 hrs ago. My heart is just breaking hearing his cries. It feels like everything is regressing instead of moving forward!! AGGHH! I am just PRAYING that making these changes will help switch things around and allow him to eventually get a good night's sleep. I feel like we've made so many "mistakes" with him and now he is the one suffering because of OUR accidental parenting. Oh, my poor boy. I am literally sitting here with tears in my eyes listening to him. I know there are many people with bigger issues than ours, but in the moment when you hear your baby's desperate cries, all you feel is heartbroken and frustrated and helpless.

Sorry to complain- just having a moment! I am so thankful for the advice you've both given me. Today was a bit mixed up as we were out looking for a new house and so LO's nap's weren't great. I think the plan is to stay close to home the next while and just completely commit to this. Extending his A time gradually, possibly cutting out the CN, and upping his daytime milk intake.

Thanks for the support

[Love, laughter, & PJs]

Oh, big hugs to you!!   

We've all been there.  This whole parenting thing is not EASY - that's for sure!!  I know it's so hard to hear him cry but he wasn't alone, DH was with him trying to help him learn to put himself to sleep.  It's a lesson that will serve him well for the rest of his life.  I know it's so so so hard, though.  Our babies are so precious and we just want to make them feel better!  And I know all about the AP guilt, we all have that too.  But we do the best we can with the information and the patience we have at each step of the way.  The wonderful thing about babies is that their brains are changing and learning and developing every moment, so they're poised to adapt and learn with us. 

You're not alone!  And you can do this.   

What happened with the rest of the night?

[kyanmama]

Thanks for the support!
He continued crying during PU/PD for 3 hrs, and I just had the feeling that something wasn't "right". Even after he had a bottle at 11:30, he was inconsolable. I think more teeth are coming and he was in pain. We took his temp and he had a very slight fever, so I gave him some baby Tylenol. I caved and fed him again at 1:45 am, and then he FINALLY slept from about 2:00 till 6:45, at which point he fed again.  So he did go 5 hrs without eating, at least.
Got up: 8:00
E: 8:30 cereal and bananas
S: 10:35- 12:00

Currently he is having A time. So today is going pretty well so far, given what his night was like.

I really appreciate the replies! It helps so much to know I'm not the only one who's experienced this! Thanks so much!

[Love, laughter, & PJs]

More hugs for you and DS!

If he's sick and/or teething I'm glad you stopped PU/PD.  There's just no point in sleep training a baby in pain.  It's no good for anyone involved!  You may have to just roll with things and get rested up to start again when he's feeling better.

Glad the first nap was good!  I think you'll find changing those A times will help things a lot, too.

Keep us posted!  We're behind you!