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My 5 month old takes very short naps and still doesn

Michele - posted on 10/18/2009 ( 1 mom has responded )

This is my first baby and I think I have created some bad habits and now I'm not sure how to break them...I held him for the longest time for naps (we would nap at the same time). I had a c-section and he was born 4 wks. early. He is a great breast feeder and eats about 7-8 times a day and when I am at work (usually 8-5) he has 3-5oz. bottles. We just started rice cereal in his bottle during the day and that (his Grammy says) has helped to satisfy him. This is about all I am producing milk wise (I pump three times a day to get 15 oz.) so I am wondering if that is not enough for him?

He usually takes anywhere from 0-4 naps a day which range in length from 30 minutes to 2 hours. I can sometimes put him down and other times he wakes right up if I put him in his crib. At night, he wakes up 1-2 times to be fed but recently he slept from 9 until 5:15! Of course, I was up 2-3 times checking on him! I don't mind the night feedings and usually bring him over to ur bed to feed him. Sometimes he stays there with me and others I place him in his cradle in our room or back in his crib. His usual bed time is around 9 pm. So that about covers it, I think...any suggestions? Also, any suggestions on how to increase my milk supply? Or, is this normal for a breastfed 5 month old. I am just longing for a good night's rest and have no interest in supplementing with formula unless absolutely necessary.

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April - posted on 10/19/2009

Hi Michelle. Our baby was three weeks early and has always been a good eater. She is just 5 months old now and drinks 5 bottles a day (6 oz. each) plus 2-3 Tbsp of rice or oatmeal cereal. She goes to bed around 8:30 pm and often sleeps until 7:00 am. However, she does not really nap -- maybe 2-3 hours per day (yup, that's it!). I've been told that some babies just need less sleep during the day than others (too bad for me as we both know it is hard to get anything done when the baby is always awake!).

A couple of suggestions, from my experience so by no means professional! .... maybe trying to supplement with formula (our baby is only formula fed and she is doing just fine!) say right before bed so you know he has enough in his belly to get him to the morning without waking up ... get him used to a spoon rather than putting the cereal in his bottle, this is suppose to help later on when they start in on fruits and veggies ... we do not often allow our daughter to fall while we are holding her (unless we are out with her or she is sick), this has helped her fall asleep on her own in the evening and also if she wakes up during the night. I was also craving a solid night's sleep and all these things have helped (I think!)!

Good luck -- post as to how everything goes :)