6 month old night feeds
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Topic: 6 month old night feeds
Posted By: FionaS
Subject: 6 month old night feeds
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 9:42am
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Hey :) I have a bit of a "what would you do" question and would love to hear some ideas.
Ashley is nearly 6 months. She is a perfect wee girl but we are having issues at night. Some background....She slept through 11 hours straight from 10 weeks to around 17 weeks. Then she started to wake in the night every 3rd night, then every 2nd, then most nights. She was still usually doing 9 or so hours. However, over the past weeks she is woken more and more and is now waking every 3 to 5 hours every night and wanting to be fed. She as good as never resettles at night without a feed. When she wakes at night she yells for food and won't calm until fed. Then when she wakes in the morning she just chatters away and often is still not hungry 4 hours after her last night feed!!! She has a great feed/play/sleep during the day and has always self settled beautifully without any crying for sleeps and bed. Her naps are mostly 1.5 to 2 hours with the odd 45min one thrown in. She has a lovely consistent bedtime routine which is all smiles. If I don't dreamfeed she MAY do up to 6 hours but often just 4 at the start of the night. If I do DF at 10.30 or so she will wake 3 hours later....bit odd. So what do you think? Does she need 2 or 3 night feeds?? Why are they INCREASING, not staying consistent or decreasing as they usually do at this age? What about the fact she is the not hungry in the morning? Those who know me will know we have big sleep challenges with our first daughter so this added night waking lends towards one very tired household. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Replies:
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:25am
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what would i do?
i would probably try a resettle without boob first, check her bum and all that, change if wet, give cuddles and snuggle her back up. but if she wasnt happy then i would feed her. oh i would probably also check that she isnt getting too hot. it is definitley warmer at night now and she may be thirsty more than hungry cause she is hot! and if i were YOU i would stop going by "usually" happens as there is no such thing with babies! Thants just my opinion tho of course!  ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:35am
Ta! ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: JessDub
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 10:56am
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Is she on solids yet?
DS was a bit like that - waking up more and more often for feeds. Once we introduced solids (just baby rice and EBM) he slept a bit longer and fed at 11/12 and 4/5 rather than every 2-3 hours. Having said that, he didn't sleep right through the night til 8 months when I introduced formula. The formula clearly kept him fuller than my milk. I called Plunketline when DS started needing more night feeds and they advised that DH get up and try and settle him and see if that worked. We tried for couple of nights and always ended up DS agitated and me feeding him anyway. Plunket's next plan was to introduce solids - which worked. (DS was about 4.5 months when we introduced solids btw) ------------- 
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 11:01am
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Not really on solids yet no. She doesn't to mush so we are going to do BLW. She absolutely attacked the piece of banana yesterday whereas she just arches and turns her eat away from puree. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: kathamill
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 1:36pm
| Sounds like she's just getting hungrier. My DD did the same about a month ago (she's 7mo now) so I started with apple and baby rice. shes great now. I was set on doing BLW, but I found that if I just got a "dinner" into her, she did great sleeping. maybe try cruskit, its a bit more "solid" than easy to eat fruit. HTH |
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 5:08pm
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If she is hungry/thirsty at night (suggested by you saying she screams for a feed) then I would keep feeding her at night. As Bizzy mentioned, it is very hot at night at the moment and she is likely just thirsty. It may stop by itself once theweather cools or the growth spurt stops
Ben is not always hungry when he first wakes, depending on when his last night feed was. He is feeding twice most nights and has never slept thru. From what I have read solids will not always mean that baby will sleep longer at night, some will but in my experience it doesn't. Formula can help as it takes longer to digest so they stay fuller longer, that is one option you could use if that is what you wanted Jack has only ever slept through a dozen or so times about a year ago and once or twice recently; Ben hasn't so far. So I have done quite a bit of reading and it is actually quite normal for babies to wake during the night either for a feed or because they need help resettling. I feel for you as I am very experienced with broken sleep. I hope you find something that works for you ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 25 January 2010 at 6:34pm
Yes.
I am not sure how much stock I'd be putting in the theory that babies are "supposed" to be dropping feeds - often they are getting hungrier and starting solids, so to me it makes sense that they'd still want a fair amount of breastmilk if not more. Are you schedule or cue feeding?
Do you feed her as soon as she wakes or do you wait a while? Is she eating solids in the morning yet?
Is there some way that you can be more supported in the daytime and catch some extra naps to top up your 'sleep bank', or are you able to express and have your husband do the occasional night feed by bottle? I understand if you have already tried expressing and can't, I have never had any luck with it either but fortunately have no need for using EBM anyway. Overall though, it sounds like your daughter is developing beautifully and you are meeting all her needs - are there any other underlying issues that are causing you to worry about this more than you need to? ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
FionaS wrote:Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:35am
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Thanks all. Hippymamma...I'm not "worried" in the slightest! I have zero worry attached to Ashley...she is just gorgeous! I'm just tired that is all. I'd prefer that she was taking her calories in the day and doing a longer stretch at night but I am HAPPY to meet her needs (hence why I am feedinl her when she asks). I feel it is good for all in a household if the baby takes more calories in the day than at night so I like to work towards that end IF there is something I am missing and can easily tweak. If there is nothing I can tweak and the additional night feeds is what she needs then that is what I will do until she is well established on solids and extends it out again.
I cue feed her and she naturally sets a feed/play/sleep routine and wants to eat 3 to 4 hourly in the day. She is very happy and placid When I talk about what babies "generally" do it is not because I am expecting a little compliant soldier, more that it gives one an idea of the range of things that you can expect so you can then tweak if something is way out of that range and not working for the baby or family. I know using such words makes it sound like I want a baby who goes by the book but that is not so...I use those terms for want of a better phrase. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 8:50am
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mayb you could contact that parent port place i posted about if you arent getting enough sleep, i'm sure sleep issues were one of the things they helped with. (thats parents with sleep issues mind not kids). ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:00am
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I'm in the camp of night feeding still being a "normal" thing at this age, In fact, I think if they need a feed in the night under 1, then do it, and I don't give a flying fig what plunket or whoever says. I firmly believe if babies (under one) still want/need a drink/feed, then give it to them. And I give that advice to the mums I counsel too. Remembering they are still small, getting more active, so more hungry, and it's also hot and muggy,so she would probably still be thirsty.
I would drop the dream feed at this stage, too, as you are probably disturbing that early REM sleep, thus causing more wakings or earlier wakings. With all the money I spent and all the people that helped me and the paedeatrician that I eventually saw when Jake was 2.5 about his sleep issues (and he was still night waking 2 or 3 times at night at 3) I have learnt that night wakings are normal and kids aren't hardwired to sleep through the night till almost school aged, and its normal. I also do know that at around 5 months of age is a normal time/stage/developmental stage for babies who have been sleeping through to begin night waking, and almost every baby does this at this age. I know the tirdness absolutely blows, it is so hard, I can totally sympathise, so big hugs. ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:02am
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another thing too, is makeing sure she is having good calorific feeds off you during the day, not snacking. You could also re visit cluster feeding perhaps to try to tank her up?
------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:46am
Cheers Fattarts! We don't DF as I used to find she'd sleep through 11 without it but wake more with it. I was considering reintroducing it but based on your comments I'll leave it. I actually don't mind the 3/4/5am wake-up...I secretly enjoy the quiet snuggles  but the 12am(ish) one it is hard when you've just got off to sleep.
I know it won't last forever so I'm not desperate to get her sleeping through, just didn't want to be missing something. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:14pm
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I personally don't think she needs to feed that often in the night, and agree with you re getting the calories in during the day. I think the whole household is alot happier when everyone is getting a good nights sleep (don't shot me, just my opinion) and its important for both baby and mum to get uninterrupted sleep.
Both my kids started waking around 4-5 months after sleeping thru young .... I'm certain due to hunger so of course fed them, but also with Morgan we started a formula at night which helped and once they were established on solids both slept through again. I've found they both sleep better with a big dinner and decent bottle (Jake had EBM til 6 months at night then formula but was otherwise BF'd, and Morgan had formula at night from 4 months but otherwise BFd). I know some people say it doesn't help, but solids definitely helped my kids sleep better again. Sounds like she is doing great otherwise though! If you do want to try something --- I personally would up her dinner (give her some toast if you don't want to spoon feed) and do EMB (or formula if you are OK with it) for her last feed if I was you, so you know shes had a good 200mls+. Then when she wakes for a couple of nights try to resettle without feeding, so she is going longer. Once shes going all night again she will be hungry for a good feed in the morning. Morgan went through the not hungry in the morning thing when she started waking for feeds - was really annoying! I too preferred her to feed in the morning than night! 
Good luck. I know how annoying it is .... and yes, it is very "normal" but I still think there is nothing wrong with trying to improve it.
PS - should also say, Morgan still wakes the odd night and I feed her sometimes cos its the quickest way to get her back to sleep (but she will re-settle with a cuddle / dummy most of the time), but most nights she doesn't wake til about 6am now. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:19pm
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Ash doesn't take a bottle, even with EBM but she quite likes her sippy cup so we might be able to make progress with that. She was 100% not interested in any solids today so no progress there either.
I weighed her tonight and it would seem that she has gained a mere 60 grams in 6 weeks which doesn't sound enough. I will take her to plunket for a proper weigh tomorrow. She looks healthy as anything and is nice and chubby so I'm not worried as such BUT if she is feeding this often and not really gaining I might need to try some other feeding things. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:22pm
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Oh no, good luck with the weigh in .... hopefully it was just an issue with your scales, as that doesn't sound good. Let us know how you get on. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: fattartsrock
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:31pm
Sorry, I missread you re the dream feed thing, lol. Yeah its the early wake that sucks, you haven't had a chance of a good REM yourself! I don't think they have huge weight gains at this age, although 10g isn't much. you might want to check she is having a good feed when she drinks, not just comfort sucking. Plenty of wet and dirty naps is another indicator. Poor you!! ------------- The Honest Un PC Parent of 2, usually stuck in the naughty corner! :P |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 9:47pm
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Yeap pretty sure she feeds really well each time. I've never had supply issues and I eat like a horse so I am baffled by her weight gain, or lack there of.
She looks really healthy. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:24pm
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shes probably got longer... ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:26pm
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Nope bizzy...she hasn't. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:37pm
well there is definitely something wrong then... ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 26 January 2010 at 10:39pm
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Can't imagine there is anything wrong but will pop in for a proper weigh and measure tomorrow. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 8:47am
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Re: night waking (please excuse shoddy typing, am FAK) I urge you all to read the following articles:
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/01/night-waking-protects-against-sids.html - Night waking protects against SIDS http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/healthy-infant-sleep.html - Healthy infant sleep ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 8:51am
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Sorry for this topic.
As I have said I am happy to feed in the night and I know waking is normal...I was just struggling with the fact that we had more frequent night feeds than day feeds so wanted to try and turn that around. I've never said I don't think she should have any night feeds so sorry if you got that impression. As I said I ENJOY some night feeds. On a positive note I think her growth has been 660gms which is great. Thanks for the comments ladies. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:02am
WTF? and hippymamma whats FAK? ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: HippyMama
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:17am
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FAK = Feeding At Keyboard
And Fiona, I'm not aiming the articles at you personally as some kind of judgement (not at all), I simply put them up for the benefit of everyone who has contributed to this discussion or who may stumble across it. You have nothing to apologise for ------------- Mama to two earth walkers & two angels. Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !! |
Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:23am
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Absolutely and that is great as that is the whole point. I try not to a post topic unless I think it i something that will also interest others. All the differing ideas and info are great...that's what being a community is all about. As mums all we can do is go with our instinct and if we are in doubt, gather ideas from others and go with what feels right for our individual kids and families. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Bizzy
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:26am
so why the apology? ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker">
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:40am
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Because I didnt' want to be causing a misunderstanding. Why the question? ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Noisybabe007
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:52am
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Golly - like FionaS said - the whole point of the forum is to get differing ideas!!
Fiona - I know people have probably said this - but could it be a growth spurt, or teeth coming through and hence it is more about comfort (since bubbas come to the boob for more than just food?) Just a thought! PS Sounds like you have a good (tired!!) head on your shoulders! These little ones like to keep us on their toes, don't they!!!
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Posted By: Noisybabe007
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:54am
Our DD is the same - NEVER taken a bottle! Our plunket nurse did say that their weight gain slows considerably... DD grew 2cm in the last 5 wks, but only gained 120g! |
Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 5:10pm
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tbh i agree with Nikki that feeds should preferably be taken during the day by this age but that's a major parenting philosophy thing really.
I agree with the others though that she sounds hungry and if she hasn't put on much weight then maybe you really need to work on the solids etc which should decrease those night feeds. I remember my son doing that - feeding at night and then not being hungry for first bf of the day and so i just stopped it and resettled using other means. It took a lot longer for us for a few nights and then he got used to it and has never fed in the night since. If he is thirsty he can have water - haha funny how this is never really what they want. She probably likes you coming in and is feeding partly for calories and partly for habit and comfort. At least if you could get it down to one feed a night you'd feel much more rested. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 5:17pm
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Last night she did 10.30 to 7.30 which was fantastic! I was so pleased. Hoping she does that again soon. ------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Noisybabe007
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 5:19pm
Yay!!! 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 27 January 2010 at 9:45pm
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yay!! Glad you had a better night! (and I completely agree crafty1) ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: crafty1
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 2:15pm
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That's great news FionaS - she can do it!
Now just don't ever feed her in the night again and you'll be away laughing lol - (only partly said in jest) She'll find some other reason to wake for soon enough. Litttle buggers. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: mumtooboys
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 2:35pm
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Except she might not be cause even when I night weaned he was still waking up. That stopped too eventually, but took another 3 months and 2 of them with basically NO sleep when I had wished I could have fed or rocked him back to sleep. LOL
------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: SMoody
Date Posted: 28 January 2010 at 4:04pm
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Fiona your girl seems to be doing exactly to a certain degree Andrew is doing.
He started sleeping one block of 6 hours for me and then it all changed. He is now waking up 3 to 5 times a night. And yip I do try everything else but he wants milk and that is it. He is eating loads more compare to what McKayla ate at this stage. However he is also developing really really fast. And I think all these things comes into play. Part of the wakening things is teeth and last night we tried Rescue remedy sleep on him and he went back to sleeping first block of 6 hours. (might be worth a try?) If it is regular wakenings then what I would try (ours is all over the place at the moment and we cosleep) then I would wake myself just before it and then be at the cot just before they wake and when you see them starting to stir just put your hand on her tummy so she can help her go from her light sleep back into deep sleep. The weight on her tummy/chest area will help with that and she might go down deeper for you again. Otherwise you can try and feed a bit more. I find Andrew is not feeding as long as he use to during the day as he is so so busy with everything else and this heat he also doesnt want a full full tummy but a sip sip. So I just go with it and this weekend I will ask hubby to look after kids so I can nap if I need it. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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