My daughter is 5-1/2 months old and sleeps fitfully all night. It is rare that I sleep 2 hours at a time! It was suggested to me that I try scheduled feedings so I've started feeding her every 3 hours, which seems to be fine with her. My question is, do I wake her every three hours at night (if she happens to be asleep)? Or do I just do it during the daytime and let her guide night feedings? - Angia
Answer
If she is sleeping, let her sleep! Never wake a sleeping baby. I would let her guide the night feedings, she should theoretically be able to go all night without eating at this age. Mine didn't but she is almost 5 years old and still doesn't sleep all night, hope you have better luck than me. - SAHM
If she is waking every 2 hours at night, then YES you can schedule feedings. Check the times that she is waking at night. Is it always at 12:30am? Start by waking her for a feeding right before you plan to go to bed. Then wake her about 10 minutes PRIOR to the time that she usually wakes for a feeding. Next feeding should be three hours later. Then again 3 more hours later.
Try this for a few weeks. Once she is accustomed to the schedule, try stretching the time between feedings to four hours. Keep stretching until she is doing 6-8 hours. Create a bedtime routine for her that does NOT include falling asleep while eating. Try a bath, a feeding, a short story, some music, or just rocking with you.
- Jill
Are you breastfeeding or bottle feeding?
I bottlefed my son and he kept me awake like your baby for well over 10 months. It was just something I learned to live with and it did end eventually. I breastfed my daughter and she was great! I'd just pull her into bed with me and I'd fall asleep nursing her. I slept very well with her. She was sleeping through the night at just a week old. - Marcia