My son is four-months-old and has been eating babyfood for about three weeks now. I started him two weeks before his four-month-old birthday just because he was drinking a six ounce bottle every two and a half hours of the day. Since then, he has been eating pretty much every four to five hours. At night, he usually sleeps around nine or ten, and wakes up around four or five. At that time, I go back into his room, and give him his pacifier until he wakes up again, usually between eight and nine. He eats babyfood with cereal for breakfast, then drinks about three or four ounces of formula after. About two hours after the time he ate, he would become sleepy and take a nap. His nap is only about thirty minutes long, but he only stays awake for about fifteen minutes, and then goes back to sleep until sometime between twelve and one. He eats a four ounce jar of babyfood and drinks some juice after. An hour later, he'll drink about two to four ounces of formula again. Once again, two hours after he ate the babyfood, he will become sleepy and take another nap... following the same pattern. He eats dinner between five and six, and takes another nap eventhough I try really hard to keep him awake. He will wake up again around ten or eleven, and just take about four ounces of a bottle, then go back to sleep. That is his usual routine.
Lately, however, he has been waking up periodically at night. I hear him crying... sounds like he's in pain or uncomfortable. Lately he has been doing this screaming cry, and he will stop it once he sees you. Once he sees you, it turns into this begging cry. Sometimes during the day, he wont take as much formula as the last, such as instead of four ounces after eating he'll only drink about one or two. Sometimes he wont take the bottle after dinner, or even when he wakes up around ten or eleven... or both of them at all. He is constantly putting his fingers in his mouth, and sometimes even putting them into his mouth along with the pacifier, and sucks on both of them at the same time. One night I fed him babyfood and cereal before he went to bed, and he didn't take much of a bottle, but he slept all night and didn't wake up til about six, which I put his pacifier in until almost eight.
Could he be starting to teethe? Do you think that he's not sleeping well because he's not eating enough? Is his eating pattern, followed by a nap two hours later, normal for a baby his age? Is it okay for me to feed him babyfood and cereal around eight at night so that he can sleep through the night, or should I push the bottle and hope he eventually gets use to it?
For the update... there was a glimmer of hope, but today he made it difficult to adhere to the schedule I am trying to put him on. I am debating on decreasing the amount of babyfood and cereal I give him so that he would eat formula right after he finishes to become full, and then drink the rest after he has digested the food a bit. Should I do that, or just stick to what I am feeding him?
What do I do if he doesn't take his formula at the time he should? what should I do if he doesn't drink more than about a few ounces... meaning one to three? I am considering five to six ounces a full bottle. Should I try to give it to him an hour later? when he's fussy again? or wait until the next time he's supposed to get it?
The little one may have some gas/colic discomfort. When my son was born he had projectile vomiting and a very sensitive esophagus, etc. Does he spit up much? It really sounds like he's trouble digesting everything.
HELLO! I AM A FIRST TIME MOTHER OF A 10 MONTH OLD BABY BOY. HE STARTED TO TEETHE AROUND 3 MONTHS BECAUSE HE KEPT DROOLING AND CRYING IN PAIN. I RUBBED SOME INFANT BENADRYL ON HIS GUMS OLNY WHEN HE WAS IN A LOT OF PAIN. HE ALSO SLEPT A LOT WHEN HE WAS THAT AGE. GOOD LUCK!
N.
____@____.com
More than likely he is teething. My son did the same thing. Try to just give him his pacifier in the middle of the night. The sucking helps the pain. If he doesn't go back to sleep after a bit then give him a bottle. As for the cereal, I would give him the cereal and baby food in the morning and then throughout the day give him his formula. You can also try putting the cereal in his bottle just before his bed time. That may help him sleep through the night, if you think he is waking up because he is hungry. From what it sounds like he is probably teething though. Try tylenol and/or baby oragel before putting him down for the night.
Hi S.,
J Louise has posted a great article below. It’s right on target.
Try infant Tylenol for what sounds like teething. It could be any number of things though. Earache will keep him from eating and cause crying when he lies down. Could just be gas too. He could also just miss you and want to be near you at night. Try sleeping with him in your room, or co-sleeping, see if that helps.
Remember, babies go through growth spurts and they eat what seems like a tremendous amount, and then suddenly when they’re not in that spurt, it seems as though they’re hardly eating. Because their bodies and brains are growing at such a rapid rate now, their sleep and eating patterns will change drastically from month to month.
Check with the baby’s doctor about the feedings and solid food. I’m guessing it depends a lot on the size of the baby and how much formula he’s getting. Over feeding is as bad as underfeeding, and early feeding does cause allergies to develop, so check with the doc.
Good luck, and a big Thank you to your family for serving our country.
Why are so many people feeding babies solids so early? And why does any infant need juice??? Feeding solids does not mean that your child will sleep through the night...myth!
Reason for not sleeping well:
Growth spurt http://drjaygordon.com/development/bf/growspu.asp
Teething
You are feeding him solids and he can't digest or has allergies
New Guidelines for Introducing Solid Foods to Avoid Development of Infant Allergies CME
News Author: Laurie Barclay, MD
CME Author: Désirée Lie, MD, MSEd
Release Date: July 31, 2006; Valid for credit through July 31, 2007
July 31, 2006 — The American College of Asthma, Allergy, & Immunology developed a consensus document for introducing solid foods into an infant's diet to avoid development of food allergies, and they published the new guidelines in the July issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.
"Whereas parents and pediatricians can be in no doubt regarding the avoidance of cow's milk and dairy products as complementary foods for the primary prevention of allergic disease in at-risk infants, the same degree of confidence cannot be shared regarding the introduction of the child to a solid diet, for which no evidence- or consensus-based guidance is available," write Alessandro Fiocchi, MD, from the University of Milan Medical School in Italy, and colleagues from the Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. "To compound the problem, there is no standard schedule for weaning infants who are healthy or at risk for allergy."
The objective of this consensus document was to make recommendations based on a critical review of the evidence for the timing of the introduction of solid foods and its possible role in the development of food allergy. Based on their clinical experience and research expertise, the authors retrieved 52 studies from MEDLINE searches that satisfied the following conditions: English language, journal impact factor above 1 or scientific society, expert, or institutional publication, and appraisable using the World Health Organization (WHO) categories of evidence.
A review of these studies suggested that early introduction of solid foods can increase the risk for food allergy, that avoidance of solids can prevent the development of specific food allergies, that some foods are more allergenic than others, and that some food allergies are more persistent than others.
The consensus statement recommends that pediatricians and allergists should cautiously individualize the introduction of solids into the infants' diet. For infants at high risk for allergy, the optimal age for the introduction of selected supplemental foods should be 6 months; 12 months for dairy products; 24 months for hen's egg, and at least 36 months for peanut, tree nuts, fish, and seafood.
"For all infants, complementary feeding can be introduced from the sixth month, and egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and seafood introduction require caution," the authors write. "Foods should be introduced one at a time in small amounts. Mixed foods containing various food allergens should not be given unless tolerance to every ingredient has been assessed."
Specific recommendations are as follows:
During the first 6 months of life, exclusive breast-feeding is recommended, with exclusion of cow's milk formulas and any supplemental foods. Exclusive breast-feeding protects against the onset of allergic symptoms extending far beyond the period of breast-feeding.
Complementary feeding of supplemental foods can be introduced starting at the sixth month of life. Introducing supplemental foods during the first 4 months of life has been associated with a higher risk for allergic diseases up to the age of 10 years, which confirms current WHO recommendations.
Exposure avoidance is an effective means of preventing cow's milk allergy. By extrapolation, delayed exposure to solid foods should prove to be similarly useful in preventing food allergies.
In the developed world, the main foods posing an allergy risk are bovine milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and seafood. If introduced early, other foods can become clinically significant allergens. Therefore, it seems reasonable that foods should be introduced individually and gradually.
Mixed foods containing a variety of food allergens should not be given unless tolerance to every ingredient has been determined.
For processed foods, such as beef and kiwifruit, that are less allergenic when cooked, it is preferred to serve these foods cooked and homogenized.
The consensus statement points out that introducing solid foods is not an ideal research end point because its full benefit depends on the duration of breast-feeding.
"Devising a timetable leading to the definition and minimization of clinical risk in a defined population of likely candidates remains among the achievable goals of food allergy prevention," the authors conclude. "Faced with a parent asking 'which food' and 'when,' the pediatrician has to integrate a reasonable schedule for the introduction of solid foods based on biochemical, immunologic, and epidemiologic data. Choosing the food to be introduced depends on its 'allergenicity index,' which depends on several factors: (1) sensitization risk (how many children become sensitized to that food when exposed), (2) allergy risk (how many children sensitized to that food develop clinically relevant symptoms), (3) allergy persistence risk (the half-life of a diagnosis of allergy), and (4) personal risk (familial recurrence of allergic diseases)."
The authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. This feature is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from AstraZeneca LP.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006;97:10-21.
Hi S., it is really hard to tell someone had to do something about there child since every child is different. But in my opionion u r doing fine, it just sounds like he is teething. Also a big misconception is that food hold or allows him to sleep longer, he really needs his formula that is what makes him grow. I was in the same boat as you i lived in jacksonville had 2 small kids and husband active duty navy, gone a lot, my kids are now 4 and 13 mths. my 13th is teething right now and everything is changing a little, the best advice i can give is whatever you do with food or formula try to keep him on a schedule it is the best. my 13th since 2 mths has gone to bed at 7-7:30 to 7 in the morning and my daughter the 4 yearold was even better but i am very constistent about schedules and everyone is always amzaed, sometimes just let him cry it out also they say wait 15 minutes if they have not quieted or calmed down by them then you can get them.
I hope i helped.
It sounds like your little one is teething.Babies will get fussy during breast/bottle feedings because the combination of sucking along with the teething can be painful.The screaming cries that you hear are complaints of teething discomfort.A binky or teething ring and some gentle soothing should do the trick.If that doesn't work, try infant's tylenol.Ask your Pediatrician for the appropriate dosage.
S., Hi I definately agree it sounds like teething. My sons started teething at 3 1/2 months and 4 months I also used the Hyland teething tablets but found for my little ones the ora gel night time formula worked best. So before I would put them to bed I would give them motrin and then rub the ora gel on their gums. Now obviously I did not give them motrin every night just the nights it seemed they were having a really hard time with their teeth. Well I hope this helps some. Lots of Luck.
N.
Hi S.,
I have three children. It has been my experience with babies that sometimes they just go through spells where they can't sleep at night, really tough to figure out sometimes why. Sounds like your baby could be possibly starting to teethe as they do not like to eat as much during that time. If you think it may be pain, try some Tylenol or Motrin if your doc says its okay. Sometimes I think they just need you at night and it is just a mystery. Hang in there, try not to get frustrated, just try to be sympathetic, it will pass. Most of the feedings should take place during the day at that age and babies pretty much understand that, so it my be teeth. Best of luck :)
It sounds like he is teething. My baby is going through the same thing. I use homeopathic tablets, Humphries or Hylands, to put in his mouth every night, and it seems to help with his teething. You can get the tablets at Whole Foods or Chamberlains, or Publix pharmacy can order them. Another good teething gel is Hurricaine, Publix can order it also. My baby also wakes up sometimes at night in pain and those seem to help him. I would continue feeding him cereal at night so he sleeps longer, but he still may wake up because of his teething.
S.! Congrats on your new little one! I am sure it must be hard when family is SO far away. But, hang in there! A couple of comments...One of the women I work with is a nurse who works very closely with pediatricians and helps families with nutrition...She says that babies that young should not be eating baby food yet or even cereal...Gosh, I know that is hard to probably take because for so many years that was the norm..but, she says this sets the baby up for MAJOR ALLERGIES. If he had a mouthful of teeth, then I would reconsider, but since he has NO teeth, his body actually hasn't produced the enzyme yet that helps him break down solid foods. Perhaps this "cries" are from him not tolerating the food. Email me privately if you wish! Hope that helps, hon! A.
Sandra,
Yes it is ok to give him babyfood and cereal at night to help him sleep, and it does sound like he is starting to teethe. Try putting ice cubes in a small ziploc bag and letting him suck on them to numb the gumbs, that is what I did with my son because when he had some of his teeth already and I gave him the teethers that had the liquid in them he bit right through them and I did not want him swallowing any of the liquid inside. He loved the ice, he would suck on it for a while then he would play with it, then suck on it again and it really seemed to help with the discomfort he had with his teeth. Not only that but it was completely natural. I would also give him his tylenol to help ease some of the pain as well. good luck!
Yes he could be teething. My daughter got her first tooth at 4 mo. Theur eating and sleep patterns are disrupted when teething. As far as eating, I don't really know.
Hi S.,
I am no doctor, but I think it might be due to the fact that you are feeding your 4 month old baby food. My pediatrician instructed me to only feed cereal until 6 months and then slowly start introducing vagetables, fruits, and then meats (2-3 days apart to check for allergies). I suspect that your little one is getting stomach aches from the food that is little body is not ready to have. He is probably having a tough time digesting it and it is causing him some stomach pain. Also, the baby food does not have as much calories as formula does, and he might be waking up hungry in the night.
The formula you are feeding him is all that he needs now for his nourishment. At this age, cereal and baby food are just for little ones to practice eating with. Infants at this age should be drinking around 30 ounces of formula a day (per my pediatrician). Check with your pediatrician, though.
Also, like you asked, he might be teething. However, I think it is most likely the fact that you are replacing formula with baby food and the little guy is either having a belly ache or he is still hungry since the baby food does not supply enough calories.
I hope this helps!
S., i SO know how you feel. My husband is in the Coast Guard he is always away from home and we live far from our families. I also have a 4 month old son who is going through the same exact situation. I talked to my doctor about it and he said it's probably a growth spirt. He said it will seem like he can't get enough. Eventually their growth spirt will lessen until about 6 months and then it might start up again. i give my son cereal at night and he said that was fine. i find that oatmeal helps him to sleep longer at night as oppossed to rice. my only advice to you is to keep doing what you're doing. it will get better soon. i know, it seems like you always have a bottle or spoon in your hand! from one tired mom to another, good luck. E. Clearwater, floirda
Hi,
Congratulations on being a mom! Its a tough time and many time you are so unsure of yourself. But take it easy and don't worry. We dont always have to know the answers.
A great resourceful website that helped me out with the many questions I had, was babycenter.com. They have a informative bulletin board and many articles on any topic you can imagine. I never even changed a diaper before my girl (19 mos old - Farrah), and when I got confused and just needed answers. {especially at 1 am in the morning} I went to that web site.
In response to the sleepiness. Babies often go through many growth spurts where they will eat & sleep all the time.
He most likely is teething. My daughter and other people I know, have gone through this sometimes with their children. They just want to be held. The pain probably wakes them up.
When your little pumpkin pie wakes up in the morning (around 4 a.m.) maybe he is hungry. Give him about 4 oz of milk. If you have problems with the bottle it may be because it hurts to suck on the bottle. But if you would like to try something, I have used a homeopathic, natural pill by HYLAND'S. Teething tablets. You can find them in CVS, Walmart. Light blue box, it's tiny pellets that melt in their mouth. Maybe tylenol once in a while is ok when he is in extreme pain.
As for the eating , every child is diff. I chose not to feed my daughter baby food in the night and I gave her formula because I know that was enough. But the times when she would not want to drink her milk, I would give her tylenol and put her to bed. She woke up when she was hungry and she would definately drink her milk. Kids are more resilient than you think. Good Luck.
F.
I have a three month old girl, first child. She also does the stay awake for two hours and then nap thing usually. Her first nap is very short like yours, but then her second nap is very long. She then stays awake until bedtime at ten. Sometimes wakes up for paci at randoms time, then sleeps till 8, sometimes sleeps straight on until 8 (slept 10-8 straight four nights this week, whoo hoo!). So, wakes up at 8, naps at 10 til about 10:30, awake until about 12:30-1, then sleeps until 4 or 5, then bed at ten. We have just started doing the thing where we put her to bed tired, but awake, only once this week has she had a problem, and I think that was because we tried to put her down at 9:30, because at ten she fell asleep. We have a bedtime routine which I think has worked wonders. Bath, a little playtime on the towel, bottle, swaddle, paci, and bed.
Now, as for feeding. She is still eating formula, I stopped breastfeeding when she was about 2.5 months. She eats 5-6 oz, when she wakes up, after her short nap, after her long nap, at dinner time and then before bed. So that comes out to about 25-30 oz a day. After discussing it with her doctor at her four month appointment I will probably start introducing rice cereal. But two things I read about introducing solids that might pertain to your situation. Make sure baby is at least 13 pounds and has preferably doubled birth weight, I guess that has to do with the fact that smaller babies might not need or take well to the added nutrients and calories. Also, make sure baby is still eating the same amount of formula as they were before, solids should just be extra calories, not replacing formula.
I can't really offer much more advice, my baby has been pretty easy so I haven't dealt with many issues with her. I just wanted to share with you our routine and hope that helps you figure out yours. Good luck!!!
First let me put your mind at ease. There is nothing wrong ith you or your parenting!. My daughter is now 7 months old, and she started cereal at 3 weeks (to help her sleeping) and food at 3 months. She is now 7 months and doing great.
I think your issue is with teething. First, don't let your Pedi tell you it is too early. I had family members born with as many as three teeth. Also there are stages to each tooth when teething and some are more painful than others. Your child maybe in one of those stages that is more painful. Does that mean he will have a tooth in a week or two? No, it just means he is on one of those stages. You could try giving them some infants tylenol when he goes to sleep and seeing if that relieves his pain or origel if he is awake. I wouldnot worry and give lots of love and everything will get better.
Teething is a real possibility. Our baby is now 15 months old and the sleeping changes occurred in his tenth month and he is still waking through the night and drinks a bottle. He also has skin conditions like ecezma that wakes him up! I understand your issues for sure.
S., both of my children started teething at 3 months old. My daughter took baby food at about 6 months and my son started at about 3 weeks. I think that your baby is teething and as for the eating changes, I wouldn't worry too much. My children ate alot more when they were going through growth spurts and slowed their eating as they slowed growing. This is normal. The night fussing maybe his teeth. If it continues, I would ask your pediatrician.
My daughter is almost 11 months old and is still on the cycle where she is awake for 2 hours and then takes about a 30 minute nap. She's been this way since birth. I definitely think your baby is eating plenty of food. Mine doesn't eat nearly as much, but then again all babies are different.
Hi S.,
I am also a mother of a 4 month old, this is my 2nd. I am only feeding him formula, he takes about 5-6 ounces every 3 hours. His last bottle at night is around 8:30pm and sleeps till about 5 or 6. He is sharing a room with my oldest so he may wake up earlier. I never heard of a 4 month old on baby food this early. My pediatrician says formula until about the age of 1. I would consult your pediatrician and tell him/her his routine. I don't think he is teething because my son puts his fingers in his mouth a lot and he drools also. He does suck his thumb occassionally when he is tired. He takes a good nap in the afternoon and then sleeps at night. I would try reducing the baby food and cereal feeding to only once in the moring and then again for dinner. Give him a bottle just before bed and see what happens. Like I said I would also ask your Dr.
Hi, S.-
I have a 4 month old son also and he has been on basically the exact same schedule. I have been wondering the same questions, so I will be checking to see what kind of feedback you get. Everyone tells me he is waking up because he is hungry, so I have been giving him more cereal also. I just worry that it may be making him constipated.
I am new to the area also. I am in Aventura, which is only maybe 5 miles from Hollywood. I do not have any family or friends nearby either and my husband works alot (not in the military,though); so, I share your feelings.
Hi S.,
I am a Pediatrician's daughter with a 2 1/2 month old and a 14 year old. I believe your routine with the baby may be a little disorganized. If he goes to bed at 9 or 10 and wakes up at 5 or 5:30 this is a good time to give him a bottle. He will probably will go back to sleep. When he wakes up, then give him breakfast. Allow sometime for breakfast to digest (30 minutes or so) and then give him a bath. This is usually a good time to feed him a bottle after his bath and then a good long nap (you mention that he goes for his nap after two hours so within this two hours is a good time for the bath, playtime, etc...) When he wakes up, around 12 noon or 1:00 p.m. feed him lunch, whether is a bottle or baby food (I usually by this time start the baby on soups)and finish him with a bottle depending on what he ate. Around 5:00 p.m. give him dinner. If the baby is drinking 5 or 6 oz of milk you might want to give him two jars of baby food (one will not be enough). Finally, his full bottle (5 or 6 oz) should be given to him at bedtime. You might also want to try some cereal in the bottle at nightime just to make it heavier and last the whole night.
Hope this information helps!!
Hi S.,
Yes he absolutely could be teething. My third child was teething from 3 months on and eating and sleeping was always an issue because of it. All babies are different. I couldn't really follow your schedule from your email but I do highly suggest you go to the library and check out 'Goodnight Sleep Tight' by Kim West. She has a website as well, just google-"Sleep Lady". I have two grown boys ages 8 and 11 and have helped raise my two young neices since birth so when I became pregnant with my third, who just turned one, I thought no problem this baby thing will be a breeze, 'been there done that'. But to my surprise I had no clue with my third he was so different, for 8 months I struggled with sleeping, eating and teething, until I checked out the sleep lady book at the library. I didn't actually use her 'sleep lady shuffle method', it didn't work with my little guy, but everything else in her book was very helpful. He's now sleeping, napping and eating like clock work, thank God. Good luck to you. R. DiNicola
Sounds like your ittle guy is on a good schedule. As it turns out as soon as you have them figured out, they change. Its possible he is teething, so ask you pediatrian if he can have some tylenol with his last feeding. That may help him sleep better. Also he may be needing help with self-calming and using his fingers and nuk to try and do that. From my experience, teething seems to affect them at night, even if they are happy all day. I have a 17 motnh old and a three year old and I am still trying ot figure them out=) good luck. Jen
Dear S.,
Your son seems to be eating well so that's good! My son cut his first tooth the day he turned 5 months old. There was a lot of fussing and putting his fingers in his mouth. He would also gag himself by touching his throat. The sleep issue can be complicated. I followed a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child." I highly recommend it to you. The book explains by age groups what babies are actually supposed to be sleeping based on brain development. Including when and how to put him down for a nap. His theory is that overtired children sleep poorly so putting you child to bed before he is fussy allows him to sleep longer. It sounds crazy, but I swear it works. Also young babies up to the age of 6 months need non-nutritive sucking (pacifier, thumb, toy) so that is okay. Good luck. It gets better, I promise!!
K.
Dear S.,
Here is some advice, when the baby is hungry feed them! Babies grow at an astronomical rate, far more than any other time in life. You could start adding variety if you like, such as plain, organic yogurt, mashed bananas,etc. You could make his cereal by buying organic oatmeal and grinding it up in a blender or food processor.
When he wakes up in the morning, let him have a bottle. Making him wait for food with a pacifyer might rebound on you later because he will get hooked on the pacifyer.
Your son sounds like he is doing really well. Sleeping well, eating well. Make sure you are still burping him. I see nothing wrong with cereal at night. Yes, he could start teething at an early age. Ours started at about four months also. Teething is usually accompanied with drooling and biting on stuff with their gums.
There is a great baby book SECRETS OF THE BABY WHISPERER. TRACY HAAG. This book answered so many questions for me. Go to the library and get books. They just help. A new baby is hard, very hard, and especially alone.
If you just need a friendly voice my name is D. and my phone number is ###-###-####. I called my mother-in-law all the time when I had questions and it was so helpful to know that she was just a phone call away.
D.
Hi S.,
All I can really tell you is that each child is different and don't always follow the usual and text book patterns.
Since you're in the Hollywood area, I can recomend my pediatritian, that's very good and I'm sure can help you solve your questions, his name is Dr. Manuel Pedroso and his practice is Pedroso Pediatrics and the phone is ###-###-####. Although he now has a partner, he's there monday, wednesday and fridays.
Also, Publix has a baby club and if you send the card that you'll find in Publix, they will send for free the book from the American Academy of Pediatrics with information on almost anything you can ask about babies.
The most important thing S., you should remember that all children are different, mine didn't follow any rules either, and if your son is gaining weight and seems alert, he must be fine; however, always ask your pediatritian when you have questions or worries.
Good luck S.,
Dione Simonin
S., :) Babies start teething at around 5 months old, and continue until around 3 yrs, ending with the 2nd molars. Until around 6, when adult teeth start coming in.
When my son who is almost 2 is teething he has ALL the symptoms: fever, runny nose, rash, cranky, only wants MaMa's to hold him. I've learned if something is wrong with him He's teething. :)
Please, do not worry so much about your son, kids are very hard to mess up, and they bounce :) Sorry!! babies will eat when their hungry, sleep when their tired, and cry when their MAD. :) Don't worry about the small stuff so much :)
Heavier foods are great for dinner, it keeps them from waking up hungry in the middle of the night.
I use to mix the formula in the baby food :) worked great.
If you can get him to sleep longer in the morning with the pacifier then do it :) Soon he will put it in his mouth himself. :) Have you thought of a bottle in the morning, I would give my son a bottle of formula in the morning.
Remember to take care of Mommy, too :)
R.
Hello Sandra,
It is so hard when they start to eat real food. I think he is so full at the end of the night that his tummy hurts! Have you tried putting cereal in his bottle at night? And if he is teething Tylenol or the Infant's Motrin works the best. Formula is still very important right now. You have a wonderful little eater on your hands! I would try more formula w/ cereal right now. My youngest is 3 1/2 months and she eats 8 ounces every 3 hours during the day and sleeps through the night about 12 hours. No naps during the day really. I hope this helps!! M.
Wow, it sounds like you have some good advice from a lot of moms. I am a mother of 3 and my youngest who is almost 8 months old has been the worst sleeper. I too thought it was because he was in pain from teething and the Tylenol didn't seem to help much. One of the moms from my other son's play group recommended a homeopathic solution called Humphreys. I was desperate to try anything to get him to stay asleep at night so I bought some. I never heard of it before and I didn't have bad teethers with my other two. I have been using it ever since my youngest was 4 months old. It settles him down and I believe it helps keep him asleep at night. There are different brands to try and the last bottle I bought was an actual gel, which I like better and it's called Hyland's. I found them at Walgreens and CVS.
S., I'm in Miami and fully understand not having family closeby. We were sent here when hubby was in the Air Force and decided to stay when he became a civilian.
It sounds to me that you may be overfeeding. The discomfort your baby is having is probably due to indigestion/gas/bloating. The guidelines that J Louise sent to you are good. Let me see if I can find a link that isn't quite as complex. Also, try to find a Mom's group. They can be a great resource for you as a new mom. The other moms would be a great support and help for you. Here's a good one.
http://www.quackwatch.org/03HealthPromotion/dgi.html
Feel free to email me anytime. I'm a Postpartum Doula working toward my certification through CAPPA. Also, I have a 19 year old son who just joined the Army. He is stationed at Ft. Hood in Killeen, Texas.
I'm sorry to hear about all of the waking and crying, and I'm sure you're tired of people telling you it's all part of having a baby. I've been through this a couple of times so here are some suggestions. With his feeding, it is important for him to still be drinking bottles. The baby food and cereal are really only introduced at this age to teach him how to eat. An added bonus is the sleeping better, but that doesn't always happen. Just stick with it. Waking up in the middle of the night is normal, and I'm sure you've learned, you build up a tollerance. As for the pain scream, he might be teething or he might have gas or even thrush. Check his mouth for ANY white spots on the roof, tounge, or cheeks. If he has any call his doctor. If that isn't it try a little bit of orajel. If he still wakes up in pain, it might be the baby food. If he's been eating anything like peaches, applesauce, corn, carrots, those are all gas producers. So, try that and I hope it gets better!
Yea, he may be teething. My son (almost 14 months) started teething early. He would do the exact same things, stick evertyhing in his mouth. Every child is different and all routines don't follow as you like, it took a while for my son to get used to everything while he was teething. I'm sure it's okay to feed your baby at night so he sleeps better. You should talk to your doctor about it.
Hi S.,
I am a mother of 3 and have found you will drive yourself nuts if you try to follow a schedule set by your little one. I recommend that you set the schedule. Wake him in the morning at a time that is good for you and give him a bottle. Have your play time or what I did as I lived in the Islands with my last 2, was have outdoor time either a walk or their swing. Then about 2 hours after the bottle I will give them some kind of solid and then a bath. After bath and a little conversation or reading (45 min. to 1 hr) I give another bottle. and put them for a nap. That nap is ussually good for 3 to 4 hrs. When they wake I ussually give a solid and try to get them to stay awake for at least 2 to 3 hrs. Then a bottle and back for a nap. At nights I would give a solid about an hour before bed and then a nice cool bath and a bottle right before I put them down. This usually gives me a good 5 or six hours before they wake again and I ussually just change diaper quickly and give a bottle without any stimulation like bright lights and conversation and they are usually back to sleep in 30 minutes or so till wake up time in the morning. After a while they just automatically follow the schedule and life gets bearable you can actually get other things done with good planning. My boys continued to wake at night for food till about 7 or 8 months but my daughter stopped at about 5 months. I hope I could help. Good luck.
I.
Speaking as a mother of 3 boys, the youngest being 14 months. It sounds as if he is teething and possibly having bad dreams. My 2 youngest have done the screaming cry thing at night and I rush in there and they are happy to see me. They need to know that everything is okay. Feed him as he gets hungry. You are doing fine by what you have explained. You will know when he is hungry, feed him until he rejects it and let him sleep when he gets tired. Before putting him to bed try a little orajel or baby tylenol to help with the pain of teething. If you would like to talk more you can e-mail me at ____@____.com
S. S.
Mother of 3 boys
Austin 12, Colt 4 and Logan 14 months
Hope this information helps.
