4 month Old Wakes Often During The Night... Help.

[RenneE]

I have a 4 month old son that was waking only once or twice in the middle of the night, now he's up every few hours and I'm not sure what to do. He uses a pacifier and is swaddled with arms out. Here is his daily schedule:

   5:15am - 6:00am wake up to take to daycare
S 6:00am - 8:00am
E 8:00am 4 oz formula
A play
S 10:00/10:30am - 11:30am
E 11:30am 4 oz formula
A play
S 1:00/1:30pm - 3:00pm
E 3:00 pm 4 oz formula
A play
S 5:00 - 5:30 pm (needs this cat nap)
E 5:30 pm cereal w/ 2 oz formula
A play
S 7:15pm bath & 7:30pm 3 oz formula and bed
now wakes up at
11:30 pm for 3 1/2 -4 ozs. then at
3:30 am for 3 1/2 -4 ozs. formula

[RenneE]

Thanks Stacy- As I was reading the other posts I was thinking the same thing that he isn't getting enough formula. At each feeding he will not eat any more than 3 1/2 to 4 ounces. Which is now about every 3 1/2 hours during the day. Do  you have ideas on how I can increase his formula intake at each feeding?

[RenneE]

I have increased it, he's on #3 avent which is for between 3-6 months. Last night was another bad night. The pacifier doesn't even put him back to sleep. He is up every few hours wide awake. I'm going to push the 4 hour easy and up his ounces. How long should it take him to finish a bottle at each feed. Usually I don't allow more than 20 - 30 min. I also read to give a 10 min break and see if he will take more, so I may try that too.

[litomi]

Wow... you don't allow more than 20-30 mins feed? It sometimes takes me 45 min. to feed my LO. My 4.5mo LO is just too curious about the world around her. She likes to play with her bottles and tries to hold them.
How big is your baby? Babies need at least 100cc-200cc per kilo per day. If your LO is 8kg (17lb), he/she will need at least 800cc (roughly 27oz) to 1600 (54oz) per day.
Are you starting solid this early?

[RenneE]

I do think I need to allow my lo more time to eat, (more than 20-30 min) then maybe he will eat more. He weighs 16 lbs!

[Colin Macs Mom]

I'm afraid I must disagree RenneE - LOs are programmed to stop eating when they're full or don't need any more.  You should definitely let him eat until he's done, even if he's 16 lbs.

[RenneE]

Colin Mac's Mom... I now believe you are right... I was talking with my MILaw last night and she said that same thing, he will eat what he needs and when he needs to eat more he will finish all of his bottles then give him more. He does seem to be gaining weight well so I shouldn't force more if he doesn't need it.

[Colin Macs Mom]

Thanks for the update RenneE - LOs sure are funny things, aren't they?

[RenneE]

They are truly funny. Towards the end of last week, he started to eat more and sleep a little better, I believe because he is eating a little more. He had a big adjustment to daycare last week and being congested, maybe a small cold. Hopefully this week will be a bit better for him. I've been reading a book and a few sites about letting them CIO, we tried for 10 min 1 night and I couldn't do it again. When he does wake up (at least last week) he will now go right back to sleep if I put hios pacifier back in. His night feeding are at 10:30/11:00pm & 2:30/3:00am.

[litomi]

I'm glad things are working out better for you

[Colin Macs Mom]

I'm glad that you didn't continue with the CIO! That's not good for anyone and in the long run just creates more problems.

He'll probably be ready to drop one of those night feeds before long, so hopefully things will keep getting better!

[RenneE]

I'm glad we didn't let him CIO either. His stuffy noise is going away and he seems to be eating and sleeping better now. Last night he was only up for 2 feedings and slept really well, we propped one end of his matress slightly and had his humidifier running last night, I'm thinking this helped too. Last nights feeding were at 11:30 and 3:30. I'm hoping we can meet in the middle and do one feeding.

[Colin Macs Mom]

Funny how just the smallest things can make a huge difference!