I have a 6 month old baby that recently started on formula (one and a half week ago). Three days after starting with it, my baby started awakening between 12pm - 3am. I thought she felt sick because of formula but if this was the reason, she would be like that all day long. If I gave her an additional bottle at that hour, she will sleep all night long, maybe until 10am! I am scared of overfeeding and of making a bad routine habit. If I don't give her a bottle, I can calm her down but she cries a lot...I think she also wants mommy and daddy to pick her up for a while. I'm desperate, I don't know what to do. I tried the cruel tactic of letting her cry but it doesn't work with her. She cries harder and harder...Have you gone through this process?Please help, I'm in desperate need of help.
2007-01-30 00:55:48 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
She started with solids (Rice Cereal) yesterday.
2007-01-30 01:07:01 · update #1
Babies go through a growth spurt at about 6 months, it could be that. When my daughter (6 months) has a growth spurt she wakes up for extra feedings at night. I feed her and then she is happy, and after the growth spurt she always goes back to her normal sleeping schedule. If her feedings don't get back on track after a week, I start giving her the pacifier instead of the bottle and that usually works to where she will stop waking up for those feedings.
Even at 6 months, some babies still need a night feeding. I'm not sure if this is the case since you said it only started after you switched to formula, but they digest it differently than breaskmilk so it could just be the difference in what she is eating that is not satisfying her as well.
I also have a baby who escalates her crying, and crying it out does not work for us. I tried it once and it broke my heart and did not work. So I feed her once during the night when she wants it, and even though I am tired eventually they will grow out of it.
2007-01-30 03:39:19 · answer #1 · answered by Emmy's Mom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it possible that she's just going through a growth spurt right now? She's due for one. I wouldn't be concerned about the change in routine yet. If she's hungry at midnight then feed her, and everyone can go back to sleep comfortably. Just make it as quick as possible and get her back down with minimal rocking and comforting. If this continues for more than another few days then I might start trying harder to elminate that midnight feeding and looking for reasons why she might be waking at that time. Babies don't just change their routines for no reason. Maybe a call to her pediatrician would be in order. Does she eat cereal or solids yet?
2007-01-30 01:22:11 · answer #2 · answered by sks42683 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you should be trying a different tactic all together. Consider your pregnancy and what environments were you in. We know that children, while in the womb can hear and perhaps experience light variances. Some people love sleeping in the rain. The constant background noise drums out any sharp random noises like a dog barking or distant sirens from an emergency vehicle. One way of solving this is go for a drive in the car. I know it sounds like a ton of effort but most modern cars are excellent in terms of sound proofing and the constant vibration can make for an excellent white noise. Your neighbours might think your a little nuts but if it works hey, why not?
2007-01-30 01:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by GoodWillHunt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
she cold just still be hungry, the time between a bed time bottle and the day ones is a lot different, try adding a little rice cereal into the bottle it'll help her feel fuller. I'd also check with her doctor it could be that for some reason the formula sitting on her tummy is upsetting it a little, like gas, maybe try a few gas drops when she gets upset. I know when my daughter (whom I was unable to nurse) was about 6 months was when we started to add the rice cereal into the bedtime bottle.
Good luck!
2007-01-30 01:06:18 · answer #4 · answered by Kitikat 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Give her a bottle if that is what she wants. But to try to aviod her waking up at this time of the night try giveing her some rice cerel a little before you put her down and this may tide her over for a bit longer. Formula doesn't satisfy then as much as breastmilk. Maybe try to let her nurse only at night before she goes to sleep. I hope this helps or you find something that does help, Goos Luck.
2007-01-30 01:44:02 · answer #5 · answered by mommy of two 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
babies know when they are full. You should be giving her regular baby food like 2x's a day plus formula and maybe even a little water of juice. I have a 5 month old and she has problems sleeping but she is already on solid because she just wasn't getting full from the bottle...the doctor said it was fine to give her baby food and he suggested the water and juice. Also, try giving her a "warm" (not to warm) bath right before you lay her down....that helps my daughter to sleep better.
2007-01-30 01:07:56 · answer #6 · answered by bjd72003 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Boy oh boy, does THAT bring back memories!!! 1st & foremost, I'm sure you already have, but do tell all this to your pediatrician. My 1st born was JUST like that!! And I full well remember the frustration & desperation you are feeling!! I hate to tell you this, but it lasted about 4 yrs for me. My son wouldn't eat, at all. He was up many times at night. I'll admit, I'm a lazy s.o.b, I just brought him into bed with us. It was my attention he wanted. Anyways, enough about me. Please don't let this affect you emotionally like it did me. It DOES get better. But take my advice, you'll be dealing with it til you do. I know 'letting them cry' seems "cruel". It upsets us as much as the baby. But you have to do it. I was surprised how short a time it took for him to sleep thru. It's like the poor kid says to himself" F*** it, it ain't gonna work!" I don't know if I'm saying this right, I just want to try to ease your desperation. Just go with the flow. My son is 18 now, eats me out of house n home, and STILL wants a lot of attention! But now, I can make him do the dishes for it!! LOL Good Luck Girl, Do Not Fear!!
2007-01-30 01:55:21 · answer #7 · answered by isis8x3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is she on solids? At that age she should be having solids? Milk is no longer enough at that age in her life and the poor myte is prob starving. Give her 3 small jars a day and cut out a bottle or two like baby porrige or baby rice that way she still gets her milk intake. I guarante she sleeps all night
2007-01-30 01:02:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Let the baby drink all it wants, this is the growing stage..
Burp the baby afterwards, rub bottom of back in circles and dont ever let the baby cry for food.
They tend to wake them hours, this is normal. Feed baby and burp and rock back to sleep.
2007-01-30 01:03:41 · answer #9 · answered by sunflare63 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
give her the extra bottle but in the day time not at night cause it can make for a bad habit if she sleeps with that you can't over feed her she would be sick.It might get better with the baby rice xx
2007-01-30 01:46:02 · answer #10 · answered by noot 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋