I have read articles saying that not having the baby overtired will help. So I have created a bedtime ritual for her. She has 2 naps (about 2hrs each) during the day and go to bed around 8pm everyday. She could fall asleep by herself for each sleep including the naps, the only thing is she keeps waking up. During the night when she wakes up, I would breastfeed plus bottle feed her each time. She takes about 3-4 oz. She couldn't take more than that. It is like an automatic alarm in her mind that she would just wake up exactly 2 hours to have a feed. How could i extend her sleep?
2007-01-05 08:25:47 · 10 answers · asked by f_sfl 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
She could be going through a growth spurt.
As your baby gets older, she will be able to sleep for longer periods.
It is actually quite normal for her to wake up for feeds at night for the first 6 months. You should not expect her to sleep a full night (which is actually 5 hours of uninterrupted rest) until she is closer to 6 months.
What you can do, is make sure that she is eating frequently through the day, so she will extend her sleep a little more at night. If she goes longer than 3 hours during the day, feed her. This may help her sleep longer at night, but remember she is still going to need to nurse at least once or maybe twice during the night at her age. If you try to make her "sleep through" she can become malnourished. Breastfed babies, eat more frequently than formula fed babies because they digest breast milk faster than formula.
Unless she has a problem with weight gain or some medical condition that would make a supplemental bottle necessary, I would tell you to strictly nurse her. Let her finish the feed. She may not be getting enough hind milk (the fatty, nutrient dense milk that you make that will keep her satisfied) if you limit her feed. After she finishes nursing on one side, switch to the next breast. If she takes it, fine if not that is also fine.
As far as cereal is concerned the new AAP guidelines are to wait until your infant is 6 months and is able to feed from a spoon. Other signs of readiness include, sitting with support. If your baby pushes out the spoon with her tongue, she is not ready for solids. This is called the protrusion reflex. Early introduction of cereal has been linked with an increased chance of developing allergies. It is also a choking hazard if put in the bottle. I have also seen many babies extremely constipated because they are not able to digest cereal if given prematurely.
The ritual you have stated is perfectly fine, and it will help her develop good sleep habits but please do not let her "cry it out" this young. That is terrible advice. If you are tired, you can bring her to bed with you and let her nurse in bed with you. You may both rest better until she is going longer between feeds.
I hope this helps and good luck to you.
http://www.bcm.edu/cnrc/consumer/archives/new_guidelines.htm
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/541952
2007-01-05 13:10:08 · answer #1 · answered by jns 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good that you have her on a schedule during the day. How is her mood during the day? Are there times when she is a bit more fussy? She might require more sleep or to go to bed a bit earlier. I would start trying to wean her from the night feedings, try to soothe her by rubbing her back or use a pacifire- if you use one already. She may just want to suckle. Also, some babies at her age still have some jerking when they are sleeping and that can definitely be waking her. Just try and stick with your routine- during the day and your bedtime ritual, but also watch for clues during the day- maybe she needs more nap time, or she might be going through a growth spurt and require more to eat. I wouldn't do the cereal or the cry it out thing- just me, though.
2007-01-05 21:33:49 · answer #2 · answered by Steffany S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you a get him to eat more during the day then there isnt a lot you can do, i agree the cry it out method wont work as he is waking because he is hungry. Can you increase the calories he gets in his daytime meals? Does he have the formula for hungry babies? these are packed with more calories too. I dont know what solids he gets but look at giving him more filling things and see if this works. Babies often go through growth spurts and eat like horses for a while so i reckon this will settle down. I bet next time he is weighed he has gained a lot. Good luck x
2016-05-23 06:47:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are feeding her during the nite, then that has become the habit. Remember that it takes 3 times to create a habit or 3 times to break one. Also, remember that the body was designed to rest during the nite and does not actually need food during that time. This gives each organ a chance to recoup, including the digestive system. When she wakes during the nite, keep the light off, tiptoe in and make sure that shes okay (not hung up in blankets, sick, etc.), turn her back over on her tummy and put her fist in her mouth to self soothe. Babies love to "taste" everything with their mouth and they also love the sensation on their hands. She may fuss a few min. but truly she will be fine. I've had 4 beautiful babies and fostered 12 newborns awaiting adoption and they began to sleep thru the nite on the 4 nite. 3 are adults now and they say that they still sleep soundly. Parents who adopted the newborns came back to exclaim how perfect their babies were! Try it and see. It takes a bit of patience, but you'll find you have a well rested happy baby in the morning and one eager for breakfast! God Bless. Have fun with your baby.
2007-01-05 08:47:15 · answer #4 · answered by DT 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Babies sleeping patterns vary widely. Some have newborns that start to sleep through the night, some have toddlers that still don't.
Don't overfeed her to try to get her to sleep through the night. Some people will recommend cereal in her bottle, but any good pediatrician will tell you that's a bad idea.
Keep up the routine, let her learn to comfort herself (let her cry a bit) and don't necessarily nurse her each time she wakes up - she's probably not hungry, she just wants comfort.
2007-01-05 08:34:38 · answer #5 · answered by eli_star 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Let her cry. It's a habit not a need for food. PUt on some white noise (for BOTH of you), shut the doors, and try to ignore it. In less than a week she will be sleeping through the night. Also at th is age she could start having some cereal before bed.
2007-01-05 09:27:32 · answer #6 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
sleeping every 2 hours is normal behavior for a 4 month old. My son did this up until 5 months and sleep all night now. It changes as they get older.
2007-01-05 08:44:03 · answer #7 · answered by bttf_85 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she needs to start on rice cereal (from a spoon). If she is hungry in the middle of the night it's possible that the breast milk and bottles aren't enough to keep her full all night long. My Dr. gave us the green light to do cereal and jar foods at 4 months. Call your Dr. and ask if he/she thinks it may help :)
2007-01-05 08:46:28 · answer #8 · answered by totspotathome 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You should try giving her just a little rice cereal before bed with breast milk feed her by spoon but just give her about a teaspoon and a half I promise it will work!
2007-01-05 08:37:32 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think you should start rice cereal but talk to your Dr.
2007-01-05 08:44:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋