Not Feeding Enough?

Updated on February 07, 2008
N.D. asks from West Palm Beach, FL
9 answers

My son is 10 months old and has slept through the night since he was about 12 weeks old. About a week ago he started waking up between 4-4:30 AM. I'm wondering if I am not feeding him enough. He eats twice a day (breakfast and dinner) and nurses four times a day. I still give him mostly baby food (stage 3). He gets one stage three in the morning with an additional stage two fruit and one stage three at night with additional stage two veggie. I give him cheddar bunnies (organic version of goldfish) and cherrios during the day as well. He has tried lots of things though... pancakes, eggs, toast, regular fruits, regular oatmeal, chicken, potatoes, etc. I just haven't been consistent with making that stuff for him. My doctor said that he should start eating more normal foods and I do make things for him at times. I know I could be better about making him foods. He will pretty much always eat and is not picky at all. Hany suggestions on how much he should be eating?

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So What Happened?

Those of you who guessed teething were right! My son now has four teeth and is sleeping like a champ again. I tried feeding him more, but that didn't make a difference. He is on my normal foods now... just sort of a natural transition. Thanks for all of the advice.

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J.W.

answers from Orlando on

When My 7 yr old was little he would wake about 3-4am hungry. I found that if I gave him some oatmeal right before bed that he would be satisfied until morning again. The baby food just wasn't filling for long enough for his metabolism.

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C.R.

answers from Washington DC on

N. I had the same problem with my 10th month also and then I figured out that she was teething. I was told by her Doctor that, when they are teething they wake up in the middle of the night, because their muscles are much more relax therefore the shooting pains of the teeth that are incoming touch the nerves in the gums. So they feel shooting pains at night. When I heard this right before I put her down I gave her either some Tylenol and/or teething tablets and she slept overnight again.

Good luck!

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A.W.

answers from Nashville on

I'm wondering about a couple of different things. What's he like when he wakes up? Is he crying and screaming? I ask because my 10 month old started sleeping through the night at about 6 weeks, then the ear infections started. She doesn't generally have a fever, and acts fine during the day. But when she has an infection, without fail, she wakes up crying in the middle of the night. At first, I made the mistake of nursing her, but that didn't even seem to work after awhile. Further, my pediatrician says that at this point, waking up for food shouldn't be an issue. He specifically said that people don't wake in the middle of the night with the need to go get something to eat (I pointed out that he'd never been pregnant!) Anyway, you may want to make sure nothing else is going on.

In terms of food, my little one eats solids 3 times a day and has a small bottle in the morning, two bottles during the day, nurses in the afternoon, and has a bottle before bed. She doesn't eat huge amounts at any time, but I think that's because of the frequent feedings she's accustomed to being a breast fed baby. She mostly gets baby food (stage 2 and 3), but I've started giving her some of the chunkier stuff or vegetable that have been cooked until they're extremely soft. Madeline also likes avocados, cut up grapes, peas cut in half, carrots,and those Gerber fruit and vegetable puffs. I, too, am beginning to look for more things to give her. Whole wheat pasta that is cooked until very soft and cut into small pieces is good. Also, those Gerber meat sticks (yuck!) are a good way to introduce a more solid, but not too solid texture. Good luck finding what's going on. I know that those night time wakings are a pain.

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

you can start to offer him from your plate- whatever you're eating. I give lots of snacks throughout the day, as I think my breastfed baby does better this way. my older son ate huge meals, but this baby eats smaller meals more often.
It might be time to give him lunch, too...I put it off for as long as possible (also breastfeeding) bcse breastfeeding is so much easier than feeding food, lol...but now my baby (11months) eats 3 meals a day and snacks...

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L.B.

answers from Fort Myers on

Mine is 10 months right now. I feed her breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks between. She eats everything we have as a family. Almost no more baby food! She went through a phase of waking up last week every night... I came to realize by the end of the week she broke through 4 teeth! Yes 4 in one week. All top teeth. I can't believe it myself. Maybe that's why he's waking. Give it a week or two... maybe it's teeth.

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J.P.

answers from Orlando on

Every child is different. You cannot raise a child by a book. Even doctors can only recommend. Feed that baby till he is full. then both of you will be happy. If there is problems chewing then put it in a blender. He should be eating regular food just like you. (Not Mcdonalds, don't get carried away) Fill his tummy up. He will sleep all night

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C.G.

answers from Miami on

Try breakfast, lunch, dinner & some snacks. Mine likes scrambled eggs, pasta, try the gerber lil' entrees too.

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V.W.

answers from Orlando on

Morning N., Hope this response finds you well. I am a mother of three teenage boys now, They have to be the best fed kids in town. They eat all the time and have no weight issues and I have to say I beleive it is because I never and I mean never used any processed foods. I breastfed each child for two and a half years, No always on the breast after One year they only received a bottle. this is what is wrong with our over weight problems and not enough nutrition today. Your little guy need to eat what you eat"he is anyway if your breast feeding right". I mean everything. start making your foods in a little bigger portion and use the Toastmaster mini chopper.. WOW I love that product. it sell for about 14.99 in target or wal-mart. When You have your lunch grind it up, when you have your dinner again grind it up. If you are a good eater so will your child. Mine slept like troopers and opps still do LOL..Now when making your veggies, "no water" use chicken broth and a little butter and garlic powder and you will see even you want to eat your veggies. My kids argue over who gets the last brussel sprouts if you can beleive that one.. It is very important to have him eat properly and for you to feel he is getting what he needs. I hope he sleeps soon for you.. Love to hear back from you.. HOPE this helps..

hugs
V.

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G.V.

answers from Orlando on

Hey N.,

I have 16 month old twin boys that eat allllllllll day long!!! I have found that the Gerber Lil' Entrees and Lil' Soups are great for lunches and they even have pastas & full meals that come with veggies. I will say they have saved me during the day. My boys love all the Gerber stuff, and they have such a variety of stuff. Fruit & veggies (already cut in small pieces), plus the meat sticks. I'm an O.K cook but I love these and they are easy!! Also I would check his teeth, it's possible that he's teething and if thats the case use Humphries and Orejel, it works like a charm!!!!
Good Luck!

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