should a 4 month old be waking in the night for food still?

Question

Sorry, but Im a first time mum! My baby goes down at around 8.30 after a 240ml feed. She wakes up at 3am but goes off to sleep after 10 mins. She wakes properly at around 6am and I give her a morning feed. Now, I thought she was just waking because of her reflux but someones told me it is because she wants another feed. Im feeling really guilty now because I don't feed her at 3am, purely because I thought it was her reflux waking her, but now Im not so sure. My questionis - can a 4 month old last between 8pm - 6am with out a feed or should I be feeding her?? No rude answers please, Im learning like any other first timer!

PS she has been following this pattern for around 3 weeks!

joshua - Reflux is when a babies osopaghaus is not fully developed. Something to do with a little valve that doesn't close properly and it can regergutate acid back up. A lot of babies have it and it does go in time. However, it us painful for them, a bit like acid indigestion

she now weighs around 16.5 lbs

Answer 1

totally normal! babies should be sleeping through the nigh only around 1....so enjoy your healthy baby!

Answer 2

hiya, as a mother of three (two boys aged 11 and 7) and a beautiful 8 month daughter I'd say that she is looking for a feed. Some babies are ready to start on solids (ie baby rice etc) at this stage. My daughter started wakening up thru the night. She was sleeping right through at 5 weeks but around 16 weeks she started waking so I started trying her with some baby rice. I found she soon settled back into a routine again. If she had reflux she'd be really sick and bringing most of her feed back up which in that case would mean she WAS hungry. If she has reflux then raising the end of her cot slightly will help as will trying to have her as upright at possible when feeding and trying to wind her after feeding and using reflux powders

Answer 3

Don't feel guilty! Parenting is definitely an experience, and everyone knows that babies don't come with manuals. The best thing that works is trial and error. If your baby is waking up at 3am it could because she needs a diaper change, has gas, or possibly she's hungry. My first baby didn't sleep through the night until 9 months. She would go to bed around 8pm and wake up around 2am looking for a bottle then up again around 7am. So every baby is different. You're not going to overfeed your 4 month old by feeding her 3 times in 12 hours! Give yourself a break and if you're real worried talk to your peditirican about it. =)

Answer 4

Hi, We have a 20 month old who suffered from this "baby heartburn" or reflux basically its acid or idigestion that builds up, we came up with our own theory that it was the actual milk causing the problem and requested Soya Milk from the doctor (Prosobee) this seemed to do the trick and the baby heartburn stoppe, we also have another son who is 4 months old he suffered from the same problem so we did the same thing however he has his feed at about 8pm and will wake between 2 and 4 he will then have another bottle and then and is then up for the day at 7ish, so I wouldnt worry about giving her another bottle, its pretty much feed on demand until they are on a few solids, hope this helps any ? Neil partner of CC.

Answer 5

When mine were babies, I used to find it really irritating the way people always told me my baby was hungry when for example I knew that he was just tired! If your baby goes back to sleep after 10 minutes at 3am, I don't think she needs a feed. If she did she would make a fuss, and she wouldn't quietly go back to sleep for 4 more hours!
There isn't any real "normal" for when babies sleep through the night - my first slept through at 6 months, my second at 4 months, and my third at 2 and a half months. I think you are doing a really good job, because a first baby is a learning time, as you said, and you seem to be listening to your babies cues.
About putting cereal in a bottle - people used to do that, but now it isn't recommended. When it is time for cereal/solids (about 6 months) it should be in a bowl with a spoon.
Also, you know how people say give them solids so they will sleep through the night? Well, my third baby (who slept through at 2 and 1/2 months) was only getting breastmilk at that time - which is even less heavy than formula! She really surprised me. So I think it depends on the child and the mother and what works for them. Look at all the differing answers you got!
Keep up the good work! You're a good Mum!

Answer 6

Some babies will, some won't. My baby has always woke for feeds, even now at 11 months she wakes once a night like clockwork for a 4oz bottle.
Have you tried doing the dream feed? after you've put her down at 8;30pm wake her at about 11pm and see if she'll take a feed. I did try it but it meant my baby woke extra early so i prefer to feed her between 3-4am do as she sleeps until 7-8am.
As long as she's getting enough formula in the day then she'll be fine but try giving her water in the night when she wakes.

Answer 7

What with all this 'Normal' thing, each child is different from the next there is no age that a child should be doing certain things, yes they have goals to meet at various ages but 4 months old is a bit steep to think you should have a baby sleeping through, my son is 22 months old and he STILL has the odd night he wakes up but i dont look at him and think 'your 22 months old you shouldnt be doing this', there is ALWAYS a reason your child wakes up weather its for a drink,hungry,hot or is just looking for reassurance hes not alone. There is no right or wrong and should or shouldnt with kids, good luck and dont put yourself under pressure,i bet your a brilliant mum,do what makes your child happy and content and sod what everyone else sayes x

Answer 8

I've got a story for you. After I was born, my mom was waiting in the hospital lobby for my dad to come pick her up. Mom hates hospitals and the closer to the exit doors, the better. Anyhoo, She was packed up with two "travel able" bottles of formula. By the time dad got off work and pulled up (2 hours give or take), I had downed both of them. I ate like a horse...AND had chronic colic (what fun). Your baby wakes because she's either hungry or needs a change...my guess is hungry.

May *I* ask a question? What's a baby doing with "reflux?" I'm hearing this more and more and it is most disturbing. No, nothing you're doing...I'm just wondering, is all.

Thanks, Serry's mom

Answer 9

my daughter used to wake up every morning between 3-3.30. it was the pattern she got into, she'd go to bed at 7.30pm, wake at 3ish for 10mins, feed then go back to sleep til 7.30am. all babies are different and i dont think that she's doing too bad. but yes i would feed her.it could be that she's not on the right formula,try the next stage that may work. my daughter is now 9yrs and fit and healthy, so i must of done something right. dont worry, just get into a habit before long she'll go 1 or 2 nights and not wake up. just dont get stressed by it, its her rythem. oh! i was a 1st time mum too. good luck. xx

Answer 10

My son is breastfed and until he was nearly 5 months old he was wanting a feed every 2 hours!!! So yes.

All babies are different and just because your friend's baby is sleeping through at 6 weeks does not mean that yours should be.

Answer 11

Of course! Your baby is sleeping for 7 hours straight from 8:30-3 am. That is fantastic at this age!

You can try to put her to bed later- for a later feed, or just continue as you are. I probably would continue what you are doing since it is routine and your baby is doing so well.

Good job momma!