Hi Jes,
I'm a first-time mom to a 5 1/2 mo little girl (weaned to formula at 4 mos - I pumped full time until returning to work - eating some rice cereal, just intro'd carrots, has had tummy issues/constipation since starting formula.) The sleep issue has been very interesting. We thought we were home-free when she began sleeping 10pm-7am at 3 1/2 mo. She was sleeping swaddled at night, but once she began rolling over that had to stop and we spent 2 weeks up again twice per night while her little flailing arms kept waking her up! :)
Like you wrote, I gave her a bottle thinking that's what she wanted. She was always happy and smiling, not crying - so I started trying not to feed her and just rock/sway her back to sleep. Sometimes this worked, but sometimes the minute I put her down she opened her eyes and it started all over again. On those nights she ended up in bed with me - the only way she'd sleep through until morning.
At first I was very nervous I would roll over on her, or she'd be smothered by my pillow, (or I'd never get her out of my bed until she turned 18), but it's turned out to be an easy, safe solution. Not one I use every night, but as a working-mom, a real life-saver in this first year.
Starting three nights ago, she began sleeping through again 10pm-7am! We are delighted, but taking nothing for granted. I don't have a solution for you, but I do have empathy. And, I wanted to chime in because I think for new moms "Mommasource" can get a bit overwhelming with advice from veterans - which is so appreciated - but sometimes you have to just tune in to your baby and go with your gut.
I don't know anything about anything, but I do know I am not prepared to let my daughter cry for more than 5 mins about anything without me taking some sort of action. Not in this first year. If that's a huge mistake, I'm sure I'll find out and pay for it later! But, it's something I feel confident about (maybe the only thing!) on this new adventure of motherhood.
I've been meaning to buy "The No Cry Sleep Solution", which has been highly recommended, but until I get around to it I'm just gonna choose a positive attitude about this whole sleep thing and enjoy every smile my daughter gives me (10am or 2am.)
Sending love,
J.