How to wean night feedings?

[leahwlfe]

Any suggestions on how to ween a 4 and 1/2 month old from feeding in the middle of the night?

[Colin Macs Mom]

At 4.5 months your LO will still need a night feed. Can you please provide some more info on your routine and how much/often LO is eating at night?

[leahwlfe]

Well, the routine is very laxed because I work full time and she is with a babysitter during the day. But normally she is every three hours with formula at home. I think sometimes the babysitter feeds her before then. she takes 3 naps on long one in the afternoon and a shorter one in the late afternoon and then usually a catnap in the evening. She actually has been sleeping through the night with no feed for about 2 weeks. We have recently moved her bedtime up do to waking up way to early. She is now going to sleep between 730 and 800 instead of 830 or 900. She was going to sleep at 900 and waking at 430-500. Also, we have just started cereal in the evening. I would love for her to be on a 4 hour easy but with me working it is so hard to have the babysitter enforce that

[Colin Macs Mom]

I work full time as well - I know how hard it is, you have all my empathy!    But remember that YOU are the parent and therefore you're in charge. The babysitter needs to be following your instructions. At her age she really should be on a 4 hour EASY or at least a 3.5. I think you should sit down with the sitter and explain that her routine needs adjusting and here's how it will be. JMHO.

About the cereal... did you start at doc's recommendation? It's awfully early yet. Cereal can cause gas and tummy upset especially in a LO so young. I wonder if she's waking due to that? Are you sure she's hungry when she's waking at night?

[leahwlfe]

When she woke last night she did drink 4 ounces. So I guess she was hungry. Yes, at her 4 month appointment the doctor recommended we start cereal and veggies. Well, I didnt start then and we had to go back a week later and he asked me if I had started with the solids. I said no and he again said you should be starting her. So we went with it this time. I told him I was worried about her tummy hurting but he said she would be fine.

[Colin Macs Mom]

My suggestion would be then to do the solids in the morning rather than evening. That way if there's any gas or upset she's got the day to work it out so it won't disturb her sleep.

But back to your original question... she may be having a growth spurt right now. Sometimes LOs need a night feed for a few days during a spurt, so I would give her a little time and see if it just stops. If not, then perhaps think about what's going on.

[leahwlfe]

She slept last night from 730-630 with no night wakings. It was very nice.

[Colin Macs Mom]

AWESOME!!!!