does anyone have a six month old who still eats every two hours?

Question

My daughter is six and a half months and she's been eating every two hours even at night. Now I started her on cereal twice a day, which I mix with expressed breastmilk. She also eats a little bit of fruit (just pears for now). Now with solids in between she eats every 3 and sometimes even 4 hours during the day, but at night she still wants to eat every two hours, and sometimes even every hour... My breasts also have a hard time adjusting to the change, and keeping up with her.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I forgot to mention that she's breastfed, so I don't really know exactly how much she consumes.

Answer 1

I think you might want to consider that she may just be nursing for comfort. We had to let our daughter cry it out a few times (just go in and 'tuck her in' every 5 min but don't play, talk or feed) - it's soooooo hard. But, she is a really great sleeper now at 9 months. she actually enjoys going to bed at the end of the day. If you decide to do this - commit to it and be consistent, loving, and firm. You will feel like you're dying when she cries and you don't go to her immediately. But, it's best for her to be able to sleep through the night. Expect to go in every five minutes for up to three hours for up to three days in a row at a max. The fourth night, she'll probably be adjusted. Then if she gets sick or something and the routine changes you may have to do it once more to get her back on track...
BUT, that being said, I don't know you or your family and it's really in your best interest to trust your instincts.
A great website to read about other perspectives is:
http://www.llli.org/

Answer 2

Hi:

My son is now 18 months, but I was in a similar situation to yours. I bf'ed for 9 months, but at a certain point, it just doesn't fill them up anymore. I had to supplement with formula. So, I would feed him food during the day and then I would give him 2-4 oz of formula. Even when I bf'ed, I would give him 2 oz of formula just to make sure he was full.

Your body may not be able to keep up with her... but a little formula doesn't hurt, especially if you don't plan on bf'ing for the full 1 year. My son always took both (breastmilk and formula) and it made it easy to wean him later. But also, is she falling asleep while on the breast? She may be falling asleep and the you're putting her down but she's still hungry so she wakes up again. If she falls asleep, try to jossle her awake so that she eats a complete "meal".

Also, she may be going through a growth spurt. Whenever they do, they tend to eat A LOT. So, hopefully her waking up with change with time. Till then, keep up the good work.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 3

don't worry this can be normal for some babies. I have a 5 1/2 month old who eats all the time. The other day she ate 12 ounces in one hour. Your baby may need to eat more at one sitting or she may be still going through a major growth spurt in her body. Since she is breast fed you may want to supplement her with more solid food or some formula. It would probably give you a break. Next time you take her to the doctor just let them know and they can probably help you and let you know exactly what you need to do.

Answer 4

My 6 1/2 mo. old son wakes up every hour or two at night to nurse, but I think it is more to pacify himself than to eat. (I also breastfeed) I have been trying to trick him by putting a soothie brand pacifier (it's the pacifier that is the closest to the shape if a real nipple) in his mouth and rocking him, and he will go back to sleep for a couple of hours. I try to only feed him every 4 hours at night time. This is my second son, and my first started sleeping through the night by 3 mos., but he loved having a pacifier (also breastfed), my 6 1/2 mo. old doesn't really like pacifiers. At this point I am sure you are going crazy, and I know how you feel! Good Luck!

Answer 5

is it possible that you dont have enough milk? i have that but wen i give a bottle he goes 3-4 hours easily and my dr said its most likely not enough when i breastfeed. if you are fine then my dr suggested sllllowly space his feeding but the same amount every day (fo example first 3 days 2 hrs btwn each feeding at least next 3 days 2 1/4 hrs...) - every several days add only 15 min in between feedings entertain him in any way it should help as long as you have enough milk fo that

Answer 6

If you aren't opposed to it, try a bottle of formula in the middle of the night, that might hold her over a little longer than the breast milk. Also, during the day, don't be afraid to try some more foods...veggies, fruits, oatmeal.

Answer 7

properly achieved for finding out to purchase this a protracted way and your dedication. It ought to have been annoying. some toddlers are intense desires and do want somewhat extra mummy time than others. that is annoying, i understand, my daughter develop into one and at 6 months i could no longer even get a bath devoid of her crying. She's 18m now and a lot extra advantageous so it does strengthen. before everything, attempt here technique for whilst she is refusing to sleep devoid of your boob in her mouth: permit her nurse to sleep (no longer something incorrect with it, whilst she's waiting she'll end so don't experience obliged to enforce it on her), then once you're specific she's asleep gently unlatch her. whilst she starts doing her goldfish mouth finding to your boob returned very, very gently positioned your index finger decrease than her chin to close her mouth. do no longer use any tension yet you ought to discover that she'll end doing goldfish mouths and could stay asleep. it would take some is going yet ought to artwork. She desires to be asleep nevertheless. related to the consistent feeding ought to she have an hypersensitive reaction or reflux or something like that? on occasion toddlers feed continuously because of the fact it helps their tummies. it would be that milk is the only factor which makes her tummy experience ok. With you saying related to the cereal making her desire to nurse i'm questioning there is tummy subject concerns. on the different hand have you ever had her latch checked? If she's no longer on good she may well be having to artwork two times as annoying to get her milk. Cosleeping is advantageous as long as that is achieved effectively. have you ever considered a cosleeper cot? that's a cot with basically 3 aspects which attaches to your mattress. infant is risk-free and feels happy because of the fact they're close to to you and you have the room to sleep properly besides. additionally evaluate a sling. seem at Slingguide web page for suggestions yet with prepare they're going to assist you nurse and get on with life. Her weight basically potential you're doing a brilliant interest so do no longer concern approximately it. a lot of hugs. that is going to bypass.

Answer 8

i had 1 8 oz bottle of serial about every 30 to 40 minuets

Answer 9

she might need more solids or more milk, go with what she needs. i do not breast feed ( was not able to) but i hear that the breast changes with the baby's needs.

Answer 10

ask your doctor, or try and change her eating habbit.