Sleeping pattern for a 5 and a half month old.

Caitelyn - posted on 10/17/2009

Thankyou all so much - I'm definitely going to talk to the nurse again about solids - the only reason we wanted to wait was because there are food allergies in the family (both sides) and we just didnt want to pre-empt anything! He's been in this routine since he was 4 months - and its only lately that he has become a bit fussier at night.

And its harder, because he sleeps in my room as we live with my parents and siblings so I can't just walk out all the time.

Lindsay - posted on 10/17/2009

i really think you should try a little bit of rice cereal at night and the bedtime bath stuff from johnson and johnson or the knock off whatever! my sone is 5 1/2 months old and he sleeps like a champ!

Ann Marie - posted on 10/17/2009

After breastfeeding 5, I can tell you a few tricks:

YOU need to eat your dinner (heaviest meal) right before his 1500 feed (3pm). This will make your milk denser and your production higher. He will get more out of the milk and be more satisfied, thus sleep longer. This will help you get rid of that 2300 feed (11pm).

Delay his bedtime feeding until after all else is done: bath, an extra 15 minutes of belly time, a walk with Dad, a 5 minute massage. It is okay for him to crank a bit before you feed him. Wear him out.

And go ahead and give him cereal. Even if he will only take three teaspoons full before he nurses, he will have more complex food in his belly. This will extend his sleep time at least by one half. I have always used just a touch of unsalted butter in my children's cereal. The added fat content gives their bellies more to work on and thus lets them sleep longer.

Bear in mind, when you eliminate the 2300 feeding, you will see the 0900 nap become shorter or disappear altogether. He will be more rested and be able to stay awake longer.

The latest any of mine went before sleeping all night (and phooey to the pediatrician who thinks 5-6 hours is all night! 8-10 hours is all night) was 10 weeks. He was a preemie who stayed at the hospital for 7 weeks, and I had to get him off of the NICU 2 hour feeding schedule. It took less than two weeks for him to learn to eat and sleep. His tenth week, he slept all night every night.

Ann Marie

Kara - posted on 10/17/2009

Hi there,

My son is 6 and a half months and was having the EXACT same schedule as yours at 5 and a half months. I did start him on solids a couple weeks early (although I understand if you want to wait to hit the mark) and it's taken until now for the solids to really make any difference. (It can be a little frustrating!!!) His new schedule is that I put him to sleep at 7 and then he wakes up at 12 and after that I do not feed him until 5. If he wakes up in the night I put him to sleep without feeding him, even if he fusses a bit. (But I never let him "cry it out"...I always eventually go in and help soothe him back to sleep.) I think that at some point you just have to decide at what times he really NEEDS to be fed and stick to your guns! I know that my little guy can go a 5 hour stretch without eating...when he wakes up in between he just needs help going back to sleep, so I don't nurse him. He's already doing better and although it takes a bit more out of you at the start, it gets better! And when people say annoying things like, "He's 5 months old and not sleeping through the night yet?" remember that every baby is different and you're doing a fantastic job!!!! Hope this helps a little!

Karyn - posted on 10/17/2009

I was told by local health nurse to offer water in the middle of the night feeds and when bub realises that he's not going to get milk he will no longer wake up for a feed. My bub is the same age and has been sleeping through since 7 weeks old so i'm no expert but it may be worth a try :)

Jennah - posted on 10/17/2009

I would just start solids now, you're only 2 weeks away, just start with pablum once a day, then gradually move up to add fruit/veggies, tehn meals, my son is now 8 months, but started solids @ 3 months, he's been sleeping through the evening since 3 months as well, although he still naps after every meal/bottle!

Doreen - posted on 10/17/2009

Hello,

My daughter who is 8 now, had me up just like your son does. Once I started her on cereals the feedings became less. I used the johnsons baby lavender wash to calm her before bedtime and I had soft classical music in her room at help a little. Best of luck.

Kathryn - posted on 10/17/2009

Caitelyn,

I have a 5 month old son as well. He feeds 6oz every 3-5 hours during the day as well, but is still waking through the night and the pacifier doesn't pacify him either. The bottle, if only for an ounce or 2, does. Now he's teething on top of it! He's been on formula, since he refused the breast, so you would think he would be sleeping through the night!

Fact of the matter is, babies just have their own times to adjust and find their own schedules. At some point, they WILL start sleeping through the night (yes I do pull my hair out even though I have gotten used to it). The pediatricians accept "sleeping through the night" as a 5-6 hour stretch of sleep without waking up at this point. My son goes down between 8 and 9 as well, and is usually up around 1ish in the morning. Our pediatrician told us to go ahead and start him on cereal and play with baby foods for 2nd meal through the day. It hasn't helped the sleeping through the night, but the pediatrician said it's normal! With the way your baby is so set in his schedule is actually great! Oh another hint my pediatrician gave me was not to give in with feding through out the middle of the night, but to rock him, sway him, whatever I may have to do to settle him. It doesn't work! I also use the Johnsons oatmeal vanilla comforting baby wash, and it knocks him right out and he'll sleep more soundly, but for the same period of time.

So even though there's no proven answer to help you with that one nightly feeding (mine wakes up every few hours), I assure you, it will pan out! Best of luck to you, and you're not alone! Hope this helps!