Just starting--is this right?

[Renee'sMum]

Just started dd on cereal a week ago.  I am finding it hard to find references on how to start solids and weaning...I want to go to doctor next week with a bunch different resources as back-up for my discussion with him.  Anyway, here is what our day is looking like:

6:45am-    wake up
7am-         bf
8am-         cereal, about 2 tbsp, switch between rice and oatmeal, give a little diluted juice b/c have issues with regularity
9-9:30am-  sleep
11am-        bf
1pm-         sleep
3pm-         bf
5pm-         1/2 hour catnap as go on walk
6pm-         bf
7pm-         cereal
7:30pm     bedtime routine
10-10:30ish bf
2am           bf
4:30am      bf


I know the 4:30 am bf has to go.  We are having issues with her waking at 12:45am and are doing w2s right now to eliminate that.  Have a few more nights to go on that. Then will work on the 4:30am waking.  There is also an issue of her waking 30-45 minutes after we put her to bed at night. (didn't happen last night, maybe on a roll?!)  Today I moved the nap times forward about 1/2 hour each in the hopes of weaning out the catnap and moving bedtime up to about 7-7:30pm.  She is 6months next week, only about 13-14 lbs.  The sleep issues that are occuring have been happening for about 2-3 weeks.

After dealing with the 12:45am waking and then the 4:30am waking with w2s, should I be taking out the 2am waking/bf?  If so, any tips?
People keep telling me to just follow my instincts---doesn't help with the situation, as I feel that this has nothing much to do with instincts as much as education and knowledge on how to do it.  Very frustrating.

Any pointers on how to deal with all the feeding issues and/or sleeping issues?

Thanks!

[nicolanorway]

just thought i'd let you know that my DS is 4.5 months and weighs 16.5 lbs. he used to wake at 2am and 4am, we had myDH wake up with him at those times and try to resettle him. we got rid of the 2am wake but  he still wakes at 4ish for a breast feed. i have tried to wean him off it but it looks as if he needs it.  i have plently of friends whom breast fed their LO during the night, till they were way over 6 months.good luck otherwise.
nicola

[Breastfeeding Mama]

When is baby ready for solids:  http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-when.html

Getting started with solids: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/solids-how.html

First foods: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/first-foods.html

Why Delay Solids: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html


Infant cereals are not necessary.  I don't even recommend them.  Regular whole grain oatmeal is far more nutritious.  Even better are fresh fruits and veggies, like avocado, banana or sweet potato.  Cereals and meats tend to be more difficult to digest.

If babe is having trouble with constipation, perhaps it's best to wait on introducing solids.  There are many reasons to delay solids (see link), especially since your baby is not even 6 months old yet.

The 4:30 bf definitely does NOT need to go!  Ounce for ounce, breast milk is FAR more nutritionally valuable than any solid food you can give.  This is why breast milk is meant to be a baby's main source of nutrition for the first year.  You don't even NEED to start giving solids until baby is a year old, if you don't want to.  Solids should be for fun and experimentation only.  Breast feeding should be on demand.  If babe is hungry and wants to nurse - NURSE!  Cutting out feedings will be dangerous for your supply.

[tylersmommy]

Although some parents do choose not to offer infant cereals, many do with no problems. The biggest advantage is that they're iron fortified, whereas whole grain oatmeal and other foods are not. Iron levels are a concern for some exclusively breastfed babies, and in those cases, iron supplements or iron fortified cereals are usually the answer.

While I wholeheartedly agree that breastmilk and/or formula should be a baby's main source of nutrition for the first year, please bear in mind that the intent of this website is to support parents who utilize the methods of Tracy Hogg. Her work advocates the use of the EASY routine versus feeding on demand and contends that cutting out feedings does not endanger supply. There are countless moms on this site (and I am one) who have used the EASY routine since their babies' birth and had no problems with supply.

Cheryl, please post back and let us know how things are going once you've started working on the night wakings. Keep in mind that some night wakings are normal for a few more months...if they're the kind where your DD wakes and settles easily within a few minutes, I wouldn't worry too much about those. If she wakes and is more unsettled or needs more interaction to settle back to sleep, then W2S might help since the wakings are always at the same time. Keep us posted!

[Renee'sMum]

I thought we had eliminated the 1am waking doign w2s, but have regressed.  And then to make matters worse, we travelled the pst 2 days and stayed overnight at a friends house.  So new environment = bad sleep night and naps!  So, we shall see how tonight goes and start the day fresh tomorrow. The 4:30am bf does have to go, b/c I was doing 'accidental parenting' to get her back to sleep.   I was soooo tired that I just couldn't stand there doing pu/pd or shh/pat to get her back to sleep...so it's my own fault.

 I see her dr next Tuesday.  He should have more info about feeding.  I was going to start veggies after I saw him.  I don't think giving her cereal is a bad thing..she's gobbles it like crazy!!!  If she wasn't ready for it or hungry, she wouldn't eat it, I figure.  I have since switched it up a bit..we give cereal first and then bf.

[VLR2006]

I used tracy's methods to cut out night feedings and they really do work.  We used the dummy then (weaned him off that now) and it helped him be able to go later and later without a feed.  Now when he wakes we do pat/shhh (he just wakes up and wants to play if i do pu/pd) and this helps him get back to sleep.  My DS has reflux so the night feeds were a bit of a nightmare for us as he would sometimes take 2 hours to settle again.

I havent read the books for a while but i think tracy said it takes about 3 days to change a habit.  you probably just need to give it a week or two and perservere to change the waking habit. 

My son is 5.5 months and was weaned at 4months as per advice from pediatrican.  It did take a few weeks for him to settle down at night again after his nightwakings for weeks previously.  I think once the amounts are increased they start to sleep longer.  Some babies are prone to constipation, some arent, and it doesnt matter if they were weaned at 4 months or 7.  My friends that have constipated babies offer a bit of prune juice and this really helps.  I give Luke rice cereal with pureed fruit and this is supposed to help against constipation.  fortunately for us its never been an issue.

Hope you sort the night wakings out soon.  its really hard to go back to that when they were doing so well before.
 
Louise x