HELP - getting my 7 month old to stop night feeding?

Question

My 7 month old who has never slept through the night (God help us!) has been strickly bottlefed. She is in the 10% for her weight. The Dr. org told us to feed on demand b/c she is underwt. 7 mths later were dying over here. We rotate the "nightshift" so she isnt hooked on mommy. Her room is dark, quiet for night, etc. Sleeping is not a problem, waking up to eat is - as many as 3 times between 8pm - 7am. I've tried to wake her late to eat, i got an hour of screeming, no eating. I've tried to keep her up late - no way. I've tried to cut her two 45min day naps, no go. We try to load her up prior to bed, but still wakes to eat 2-3 x. We are going to try to let her "cry it out" the kackle crying i can do. The screaming get the sheets wet from tears, i can't make it. She seems to only be able to eat small amounts 5oz bottles or less, several times a day, b/c her tummy is so small. she is on solids, but only a few, she was VERY colicly. ANY suggestions!!!?

Answer 1

don't cut her night feedings they're very important to her growth when she feeds at night her body digests the food more and takes in more vitimains and calories.......if she is hungrey feed her....3 times a night is nothing don't worry and don't make it into a problem because its not

Answer 2

She is only 7 months old! This is NORMAL! Studies have shown that most kids at age 5 years still get up during the night-(not to eat obvoiusly and they usually resettle back to sleep) Waking up at night is what babies do:)She needs to eat- especially if you want her to gain weight- Cutting daytime nape only makes night wakings worse because then their bodies are over tired and have a hard time settling down. Loading up before bed also can make her more colicly because she is over ful and some food can reflux back up and give heartburn feelings. I try to remember with my kids the saying this too shall pass. Try not to stress so much about the night wakings feed her and cuddle her. I wouldn't push the solids as a way to help her sleep from the research I have done it really doesn't help. At 7 months if she is crying it is for a reason- she is hungry or uncomfortable etc. That is the only way she can tell you. Good luck!! I would find a good moms group where you can talk to other moms in the same sitiation so you know you are not alone:)

Answer 3

Seperation stress. attempt putting her to sleep an hour or so later than standard, she could stay greater slumbering until 5 or 6, maybe a greater managable time for you. She may well be dealing with a strengthen spurt, and waking up a touch hungry. ALL my childrens went via this in some unspecified time interior the destiny, between 6 months and twelve months. ALL my childrens have slept in out mattress for the duration of the tough circumstances, and by way of 18 months, they have been all decrease back of their very very own beds, slumbering for the duration of the evening.

Answer 4

Relax and sleep when you can. She may be allergic to the formula. You could try a different brand. If she isn't drinking bigger bottles or eatimg more food at a time, it may be making her feel upset in the tummy. There are lots of gentle formulas out there. I like to mix the fruits into the cereal to make it taste better and then my kids would eat more.

If her little tummy is always gurguling it is probably the formula.

Answer 5

try a different forumula? she should be drinking more than 5 oz at a time... stomachs stretch. don't let her fall asleep when drinking the bottle.... wake her up and make her finish eating/drinking... she should be able to eat lots of different solids already... maybe you need to find a new doctor, it almost sounds like she may have an issue besides a small tummy...

Answer 6

Theres really nothing you can do. Waking 2-3x isn't that bad... Have you tried bringing her to bed with you? She may sleep longer in your bed. Keep the formula and water next to your bed and mix and feed her in bed. Its less disruption for you.

Alot of babies wake through the night up to 2 or 3 years... its normal.

You last option is to relactate so you can feed her while lying down in bed. Its tricky after 6 months though, and teaching her to latch again may be hard... its an option though! It will definatly help her sensetive tummy.

Answer 7

My daughter was still waking up twice a night for feedings until i got fed up with it. I ended up reading an article where it said that children this age do not need the bottles for actual nourishment, they wake up because its habit. They wake up, they cry, you come in there and hold or feed them. What worked for me ws just letting her cry it out. The first couple nights, maybe even first week, she is going to WAIL! You will think shes dying in there, but she's fine. Just be strong, and have your husband help you to refrain from going to get her. You'll find as the nights go by, there will be less and less crying. It's the initial getting it started and stopping yourself from getting her thats the worst. Just give it a shot, and trust me, when youre sleeping a full night, youll be glad you did. I wondered to myself why i didnt do this much sooner than 9 months when i did.

Answer 8

have u discussed this with your pediatrician? It sounds like she may have an absorption problem...should have it checked to make sure since she is being fed on demand and still not gaining enough weight...also, does she seem to eat more with solids (rice cereal, etc.)? It could be a problem with the formula she's on...

Answer 9

at 7 months old that baby should not be eating at night, u need to let the baby cry it out, go to the babys side after 20 minutes and console them then leave and keep repeating this, eventually if u stick with it u will get results. kids are so much smarter than a lot of parents give them credit for. be firm in your decisions. dont give in as this gives the appearance that you would rather give them whatever they want then work to do whats right