When should you stop feeding your infant in the middle of the nigh?

Question

My son is 5 months old and was sleeping through the night at 3 months old. When he turned 5 monts old he now wakes up again every couple of hours. Should I still be giving him a bottle in the middle of the night or not? Sometimes I can get him to go back to sleep just by giving him his binky...and other times I can't. Any suggestions

No I'm not trying to starve him to death...I was asking for positive feedback...If you don't have any Happydawg, then don't answer!

I'm not discouraging him waking in the middle of the night. I don't mind feeding him. He is my son..and the most important thing in the world to me. I am only asking because so many people have told me different things. Please don't assume that I don't want to feed him. Some times it is hard to tell with babies. I am a new mom...give me a break and please don't give me negative feedback. I am doing the best that I can. I love my son and would never starve him. I just want to know what others have done with their children.

Answer 1

if he is waking up to eat, then by all means feed him. first check his diaper, hold him, try the binky, and if that does not work, feed him. he knows if he is hungry or not, he just can't tell you. i know it is hard to wake up several times a night, but his well being is more urgent than your sleep. he may be going thru a growth spurt and need the extra nutrition right now. start off with a couple ounces and see if that fills him up. you're doing just fine! asking q's as a new mom is a vital step to learning. keep your chin up and cherish these moments, they pass too quickly. bless you for being a caring mom. babies are the most precious gift in our lives.

Answer 2

I have an 8 month old and she still wakes a few times in the middle of the night. All babies are different and don't worry about the negative feedback you are getting. People are just so ignorant. If he was doing good at night and all of a sudden started waking up again, he could be going through growth spurt, or maybe he's teething. It is very possible to have pain even though it could be a while before the tooth pokes through! You are doing the right thing. And you obviously care a lot for your baby. I don't have many ideas because I believe you are doing the right thing. Just hold him and if he won't go back to sleep give him a bottle. Each night you can lower the amount you feed him. Good luck.. And if you are worried about it, which you shouldn't be, always ask your doctor.

Answer 3

I say if the binky works in getting him back to sleep then stick with it but if he wants a bottle just let him have one. Just keep the room dark or dim to remind him that its night time and he should just go right back to sleep. I don't think there is nothing wrong with feeding him a warm bottle of milk in the middle of night to soothe him back to sleep. I have a 3 month old and he sleeps through the night now but sometimes he gets confused and wakes up in the middle of night and binki just doesn't work all the time so I give him a warm bottle of milk and it works.

Answer 4

As to your questions should you still be giving him a bottle in the middle of the night or not? Yes, you should because obviously he still wants it and at 5 months old you feed on demand, plain and simple.

I know it's exhausting but my kids were all around 11 months before they slept through. You have to just adjust to his needs and appetite and although he did sleep through he is growing now and needs more nutrition.

Of course, he may be waking just to be sure you are there and for some comfort and reassurance (completely normal as a baby becomes more and more aware of their surroundings and the fact that you are not attached to him) and I wouldn't discourage his night waking if this is the case either.

Answer 5

If he wakes up because he's hungry then feed him. He may not have woke up before when he was 3 months because he didn't eat that much... think of him as you - when you wake up in the middle of the night hungry do you want/get something to eat?

Try feeding him right before he goes to bed with a little rice cereal in his bottle. It will keep him full longer.


lilmama

I hope you don't just give your child a bottle a go back to your room to sleep. It's dangerous. You're baby could choke. I know it seems like the easy thing to do but... cmon...
Your child is to young to be independent from you...

Answer 6

If his weight is healthy, don't give him a bottle. Its a bad idea especially if he has teeth. My son slept through the night from his first night home, I only woke him up to fee him the first couple of months. Once his teeth came in, (4mos) I quit feeding him in the middle of the night to avoid problems with his teeth and my irritability at work because of lack of sleep.

So, if he's over weight or at a healthy weight, I'd say don't worry about feeding him at night. Also, he may be waking up because he wants comfort, not food. Try singing and reading to him.

Answer 7

Usually, the rule is by 6 months they dont need to eat in the middle of the night. When he wakes up is he trying to play or just hungry? If he is trying to play, dont play with him, just feed him if he seems hungry. He may be growing and needing more food than he did when he was 3 months. Try giving him more ounces during the day and see if it will make a difference.

Answer 8

You should stop feeding him when he stops waking up for the bottle in the middle of the night. As long as he wakes up for the bottle you should give it to him.

Eventually he will sleep through the night and not need a bottle. Until then you will be woken up, the joys of motherhood. (of course it is worth it!!)

Answer 9

i had the same problem and my doctor said that once a baby is 12 pounds he can go through the night (8 hours) without a bottle. give son a pacifier to suck on instead, or a bottle of warm water if he just likes the liquid.

Answer 10

He may be going through a growth spurt and needs more feedings. Please, feed him if he's showing true signs of hunger. If you haven't yet you'll soon learn the differences and if you really can get him to sleep in other ways. Its hard but could be worse. My oldest woke up for feedings until about 12 months!