Strange Old Wives Tale

A six month old doesn't physically need to wake up and eat in the middle of the night, so I would say she's doing it out of habit. At her last feeding before bedtime, I would give her a little extra to eat, and when she started crying, I'd just put a pillow over my head and watch the clock. Try to ignore her for a few minutes and then go over and lay her back down. I can't say it won't be rough for a few nights, but it will work if you stick with it. Children quit physically needing to eat that nighttime feeding by about 6-8 weeks old. Hope it helps.
J. W.

My nephew had terrible colic and cried all the time, he never slept, my grandmother (who was also a nursery nurse at the hospital for upteen years) told my sister about the onion trick. She tried it and he slept about 6 hours straight!

just curious, when peyton gets up around 2, how much does she eat? is she on cereal or just straight formula. She may be waking up so much because she is still hungry. At dinner, she eats good and gets her tummy full and by 2, everything is gone. kinda like a midnight snack for us. If she is getting just formula or water, add something to it to make it substantial like rice cereal. see if that may help. also, if you have another room that you can let her sleep in, move her crib. babies hear everything and keeps them awake. if you don't have another room, put a playpen or crib in living room or somewhere. and make the room dark at night. it will make a difference for everyone

My 5 1/2 month old just started sleeping through the night (9:30 to 6:30) a couple of weeks ago and I am convinced it is our new eating/nap schedule that did the trick. She has a 6 oz bottle at 7, nap at 9:30, 3.5 oz fruit with a spoon at 11:30, nap at 1:00, 6 oz bottle at 2:30, 3 tbsp rice cereal mixed with 1.5 tbsp powder formula and 3.5 oz veggie at 6:00 and a 6 oz bottle at 8 then to bed at 9. We just started this on December 20th and after about a week she was sleeping all night long. I recommend writing down when she is sleepy and hungry if you don't already have her on a schedule and after a few days a pattern will emerge and there is your schedule. Just make sure those evening meals will stick with her. Good luck!

I had a hard time getting my son to sleep all night. The main problem was that he was in my room in his crib, but when he woke up he knew that I was there and then instantly knew I was hearing him and would eventually come. As soon as I moved him into another room he started sleeping longer inbetween. If you don't have another bedroom, just put her in a crib or playpen in the living room. I also found that when I made his bedroom completely dark, he slept better also. Now he sleeps from 9:30-7:30. It just takes consistency with whatever you decide to do. Good luck.

I agree with the response below. It's harder on you than on her though! A book I reccomend to all my friends that was shared with me is "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Weissbluth (sp?) It's an excellent book, very scientific, and very reassuring that you're doing the right thing in giving your child enough rest to be happy and healthy. I've had 4 friends including an ornery sister-in-law who finally read it, and then couldn't stop raving about the techniques and how it changed their lives for the better. Just remember, YOU"RE the parent, be strong and help your baby learn good sleep habits!

As far as the onion suggestion, I'd be hesitant to try it. Some people feed babies spicy things from the beginning, but I tend to try waiting a bit longer to introduce something like onions. I think that just plain food has such unique and interesting flavors, why not let them enjoy simple flavors at first, then expand once they're eating well. If you really want to try it, check with your doctor and see what his/her opinion is.

I have heard that contrary to popular belief, none of the wives tales for sleeping through the night actually work. Both of my kids had rice cereal in their bottles under the guidance of their pediatricians due to reflux, and one slept through the night at 6 weeks (we're talking 12 hours- she ate VERY well during the day, so the dr. said to let her sleep). The other just started sleeping through the night (more than 7 hours) at about 9-10 months.

Each kid is different, and I think they do it when they're ready to. But, in my opinion, my daughter always has been my good sleeper and my son will always be the one with sleep issues. I guess only time will tell.

Good luck and let us know how things go!

The onion thing is supposed to be a good thing for colic. I don't think it helps with just getting a baby to sleep thru the night - unless the cause of the lack of sleep is colic. I feel for you though - I'm a single mom with a 1 year old who still winds up in my bed most nights!

I never heard of such a thing.

If you are finally giving in and letting her sleep with you, she is learning that if she cries long enough she will get her way (not a good thing). It may be time for hwer to move to her own room now.

Are you breastfeeding or bottle feeding? She may sleep better if you give her a bottle of formula at the 2am feeding. You will know exactly how much she is getting. Formula keeps them full a little longer too. Good luck.

Make sure that your daughter is getting enough to eat during the day. If your are not on baby food, you might want to ask your ped if it is okay to start. If you haven't started putting rice cereal in her bottle before be-do that, it works wonders. I was breast and bottle feeding and my daughter started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old. Once my daughter was able to roll over, we moved her to her own bed and EVERYONE slept better then. Good luck!