At what point do I get "tough"?

My wee son is four months on Thursday and I have a fairly predictable routine with him during the day. He feeds four times during the day (both sides), then a "double" feed in the evening before bed (at 5.30 both sides and again at 6.30pm) with the last feed being about 100ml EBM.

Last week he slept through from 7 - 7pm for four nights in a row! He has done this two times previously but then always reverts back. This time he fed again in the night for one night, then slept through again, and last night woke for a feed at 2.30am. I only give him one side and that seems to get him through till 7am again.

So I KNOW that he CAN do it, he just chooses when he does :-) I do nothing differently on those days so I don't really understand why he sometimes sleeps through and sometimes not.

I am wondering at what point I should "get tough" and not feed him? I don't think I could handle him crying for nights on end, but then again I don't want to be getting up in the night forever! One of my friends is a big fan of the Contented Baby and says I just have to get hard and do it. Other friends in my coffee group are just going with the flow.

Anyone else had this?? Or any words of advice?

we got tough quite early but by the sounds of things your baby is waking cos he is hungry. like chelle said if he is only waking sometimes then its probably still a hunger thing. babies go through big and mini growth spurts all the time so id leave it till about 6 months unless you can tell its def becoming habit and not hungry

I don't think there is really any reason for you to get tough. Four months is still pretty young and it sounds like he is waking up hungry.     Definitely try what Chelle said and try to resettle, but if it doesn't work I would just feed him.     Jamie is 5 and a half months and he's slept right through from 7-7 only once. The rest of the time he's up every 4-6 hours overnight.    It is tiring and you know they are capable of sleeping through but sometimes they are just hungry. Will he take more EBM before bed?   Have you tried a dream feed before you go to bed?   You could try starting him on a few teaspoons of solids? I know most people say wait until 6 months but both my boys have been 9lb + and big hungry babies so I started them both at about four and a half months. My baby is a shocking sleeper and always has been, and not everyone will agree and a few months ago I wouldn't have suggested it either, but topping up with formula but not replacing a breastfeed is what helped me get some much needed rest.   

I don't think getting tough is the right thing to be doing with a 4 month old.
He's only 4 months old afterall.

Wait til he starts teething, etc, it'll get worse

Don't set your expectations too high.

some great advice from these mamas

Gosh it sounds like you have a well behaved baby! I say at 4 months he's doing really well and so are you! Don't try to change something unless YOU see it as a problem. Other people's babies might sleep through and good for them but personally I think one quick feed and back to bed is awesome

He won't wake in the night forever, I promise!

He still needs a feed. To be quite blunt any baby waking under one and wants a feed most probably needs it, and its you that has to toughen up. At around 4 to 5 months most babies who may have slept through will begin waking again, pain in the ass, I know, but they wake becasue they need it not becasue they are tryong to make you cross. I know its tiring and frustrating but he is ONL:Y four months and its important to remember his wee tummy is smaller than a tennis ball....