My 5 month old was doing good about sleeping during the night until 2 weeks ago. He use to get up every three to four hours but the past 2 weeks he has been getting up every hour. At first I thought he was hungry so after about three days I started him on cereal (breast feeding full time otherwise). He went back to the usual schedule over the weekend and then Sunday night he start getting up every hour AGAIN! I work full-time and feel it is important to nurse when I can but every hour is crazy! Is he attention seeking or just really hungry??? I am a new mom so what should I do???
Last night we had a better night...somewhat! He didn’t want cereal last night…which confused me…he only wanted to nurse! I feed him real good around 9 pm and he slept from 10 until 1 am. I did nurse him at that time and he seemed to eat pretty well. He got fussy around 2 so I let him fuss for a bit and gave him his paci. He did have gas and I guess the combination of the pacifier and his gas helped because he went back to sleep…until 4 am. We were up again at 5 and then 6:30! I guess this is part of the be patient game I have to play!
One question.. did he just started to crawl? that could be it. but also be seeking attention since he knows you are going to work.believe it or not they know the schedule. I also breastfeed and yes every when is every hr you go crazy. oh another is he teething? I notice that mine wanted to breast feed a lot when he is teething.
let me know what happens and good luck
Hey M....check his gums to see if he is teething...early i know but it happens. Also when they go through a growth spurt they may either lose sleep because they are extra hungry of sleep alot because their bodies actually grow while they sleep...if he naps more through the day he is probably on a growth spurt...
Hope u are able to hang in there with the breastfeeidng and still get enough sleep to keep your sanity...
Good luck
At 5 months old, it's unlikely that solely nursing is enough food for him. He's probably hungry. This happened to a friend of mine. She wondered why her little girl was so grouchy and wouldn't sleep much. She had put off solid foods, but finally started feeding her solids. The grouchiness and sleeplessness stopped. Her daughter was 5 or 6 months old when this happened, and it turned out she was just so hungry. I breastfed, but also started my little one on solids at 4 months, so I never went through this personally. Anyway, I suspect he's just really hungry and that he's to the point where milk alone is just not enough. Your pediatrician should have explained how to begin and increase solid feeding. I'd get that little boy eating 3 meals a day and still give milk in between according to your regular schedule.
Pump occassionally to see if you are still producing enough. You may think he is nursing but he may not be really getting enough. Also read Baby Wise for sleeping habits and scheduling. Also dont feed him every time he wakes up. If you know you are producing then just give him the normal amount of ounces per feeding. If you feed him all night long he will be attention seeking...I mean what guy wouldnt want to be suckling all night long next to a warm body. Haha...
He may be getting Colic and may just want your attention. I would suggest talking to your pediatrician. When he wakes up try holding him instead of feeding him and see if that works. Hope this helps.
My first thought would be that he maybe starting to get teeth. I have read that the process can begin about 2 months before the teeth actually start coming in. Also, sometimes when they are about to hit a new milestone, such as crawling, they have sleep disturbances also.
As far as him needing cereal, I doubt it, as long as he can breastfeed when he wants. Babies don't need any additional nutrition until 12 months as long as they are able to breastfeed when they are hungry. He may be hungry during the night for breastmilk, but he doen't need cereal. (BTW, your breastmilk is the best food you can provide for him - 10000 times better than cereal)
My personal advice (which some will disagree with, I know) is to bring him to your bed so you can all get some good sleep. Most breastfeeding moms get the best sleep if their baby sleeps with them. I know I would be a zombie if I had to get out of bed when my little one woke up at night! With her in the bed, I just pat her back, or offer the breast if she is really upset or teething or something.
Whatever the cause, and whatever you choose to do, I'm sure it is just a short phase and will be over before you know it :)
Is it possible that he may not be getting enough milk during feedings? Try giving him a little longer to nurse.And if that is not the case then maybe he is expeirencing some gas or teething and is using nursing to try and ease it.Some babies have been known to change sleeping schedules also or mix up day and night.If he is sleeping most of the day and not nursing enough then he could be confusing night and day and getting hungry.Try keeping him up most of the day,especially close to bed time and feeding him regularly.It may take a few days or a week but if u just let him cry a little while before u run to go feed him..put more time between the night feedings he may learn to self sooth again, you could also try a paci..some babies get attached to the sucking urge and a paci helped alot with my first son.
You could try putting rice cereal in a bottle and feeding it to him right before you lay him down. It might help him sleep a little better, I know it worked for my daughter. Good luck!
I have a 6 month old little boy who has been doing this for a little while. He just got two teeth in and is getting in more. I'd go to walmart or winn dixie and buy some teething tablets. They help a lot!
My little boy will sleep for 4 hours at a time now with the teething tablets. Also, your son is old enough for cereal, but it'll be hard to get enough in him just yet. Babies have to learn to eat, and with some kids it takes a couple of months to get them to swallow enough food at one time to make a difference.
It's really hard, but I know what you're going through and it'll get better.
I have a 4 year old, a 5 year old, and a 6 month old too. So, I have past experience and current experience as well.
i think he's too young to understand that he can get your attention that way. Rather, he may be theething. My son started theething about the same age and sleep has been very irregular for a long time. He may also have gas...tried the drops?
Have you checked into gastric reflux? I was a nurse for 14 years and have seen this many times.My youngest son had it as well and would often wake up. If there is a possibility for reflux, this can easily be taken care of with an antacid under the care of a physician. Severe gastric reflux can cause periods sleep apnea as well.
Sounds like teething. My daughter did that, too. I wouldn't add anything, especially not cereal. Adding cereal this young has proven a direct link to diabetes in people as they age. Breast milk is best. Your comfort is priceless.
BTW, children shouldn't necessarily be expected to sleep through the night until somewhere between 2-3 years after those molars erupt. It's a fallacy our control freak society has unfairly shoved on innocent babies.
Just enjoy the extra time you have with them at night. This time will pass so quickly, and then you can return to getting a full night's rest. I haven't had that in 18 months, but it's what I signed up for when I decided to have children.
Give that baby a hug and a squeeze and enjoy each second you can!!
