does he still need a df?

[lauraj79]

Hello
Charlie is 6 months tomorrow, and currently still has df at 10 ish. However last 2 nights he has wriggled etc... to be put back in his cot, last night only took 2.5 oz, as opposed to the usual 6 oz. Here is his usual E routine
7.30 am- cereal made up with 3 oz milk and anoher 3 oz milk in bottle
10.30- 6 oz
12.30-1pm- lunch and pudding
3pm- 4-6 oz (sometimes refuses this but i still offer incase)
5pm- dinner, yoghurt
7pm- 5 oz then bed
10.15- df, used to be 6 oz sometimes 7 oz.

He did cut his 2 bottom teeth yesterday but he didnt notice and no crying at all, took his bottles and food in day fine. so im wondereing if hes ready to drop this feed? obviously gradually as per traceys advice. however im concerned his last bottle is usually not more than 5 oz. this isnt really enough to get him through 10-12 hours. if he took 8 oz he prob wouldnt need a df. should i consider dropping the 3 pm bottle, giving solids earlier, say 4 pm so hes really hungry for his bedime bottle? or should the df be stopped before the 3 pm one is?  occasionaly i havent df him and he wakes at 3 am really hungry so im reluctant about changing anything, yet hes clearly protesting at the df. Help, please!!!
laura

[Leah's Mom]

I cut the dream feed out around 6 months. It was a rough few weeks, but then she actually started sleeping better without the dream feed, than she did when she had it. At this age, I belive too much milk before bedtime can actually interfere with nighttime sleep. At least it did with my DD. I would stop the DF first, then drop the 3 pm feed. He should start taking more during the day once the DF is gone. It is worth a try, let us know how you come!
Christine

[lauraj79]

Hi Christine
thanx for your post. I braved it last night and didnt offer any df (against baby w`s advise!) and............
he slept right through till 6.30 am, and didnt fuss for bottle/brekkie till 7.30 am! i am really pleased and he slept so much better for it! he ate loads at breakfast, 2 rusks mashed with milk and 6 oz bottle!
lets hope it wasnt a one off!
laura, charlie 6 mths, 3 days, ella (3 on thursday)

[Leah's Mom]

  So happy for you. Stick with it. He may regress, but you now know he can make it that long without a bottle. So be firm, no more bottles in the night! I  made the mistake of feeding in the night at this age. They don't need it, and it took a long time for my DD to kick the habit. Congrats!
Christine