Waking at 3am !!!

[hana1978]

My 7 month DS has been waking at 3am on the dot for a couple of weeks.  His bedtime is 7pm, last feed at 6-630pm and he goes round to 3am, first he wakes up singing then starts grizzling - im not 100% confident its not hunger as hes not a big eater so always feed him (hes never gone through the night, this long stretch is the best hes ever done) - he takes most of his 6oz bottle so im guessing it is hunger but i read in Traceys book that if they wake at the same time each night its habit and nothing else.  Should i try to settle him other ways, im not sure NOT feeding him will work.  I am exhausted at 3am and he does go back down until 6am no problem but then refuses his 7-730am bottle - so idealy i want him to drop this feed and take a full bottle at 7am - is this possible or should i just carry on as we are?
thanks x

[albertasweetpea]

Hi Hana - have you had any change with your DS's waking? Are you feeding him when he wakes still??
If I remember from your previous posts, he was a couple of months premature right?
It could very well be that he is indeed hungry for that 3 am feeding. You said he is taking almost a full feed at that time?? If so, I would continue feeding him until he reduces the amount himself.
I know how you feel with the night wakings, Molly is almost 7 months and still wakes 4-6 times a night (not to eat, just to talk, grumble and play)!!
Just know you are not alone in these night wakings, try to get a little rest during the day when your son rests.
 :lol:

[Wilsmon]

You may also try reducing the number of oz you give him every few nights (ie 5 oz for a few nights, then 4 oz etc) and see if he doesn't then start eating more at the 7 am feeding.   After down to 2 oz then just try to resettle w/o feeding. I have read this in several books as a way to gradually wean them from night feedings.

Jennifer