When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

At the 4 month check up, the dr said to stop the middle of the night feeding between now and 6 months and to let him start to soothe himself and CIO. I tried it 2 nights ago and it was the worst night of my life! Worse than when he was a newborn even. I slept 2 1/2 hours total. I just dont think he is ready to be cut off and left alone.

Last night I did the usual. Bedtime at 10pm, he wakes up at 4am for a feeding and then sleeps til around 7am, then we nap in my bed til around 9:30am.

Please... if anyone has advice I would appreciate it. I want to listen to myself but the dr knows what to do obviously, and this is my 1st baby.

Thanks!

ETA: I am BFing

Message edited 1/11/2008 11:15:02 AM.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

my dr told me the same thing at my DD's 4 mont visit. I think they still need that little bit. I am Bf not sure if you are but I think the DC will eventually stop on thier own....

I am not really listening to the dr they are not the ones who dont get the sleep and suffer when our kids dont sleep and are up crying all night,

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

I think Andrew wqill let you know when he is done feeding in the middle of the night. Vincent stopped a few weeks ago but I let him decide that. If he's hungry, he's hungry -- I wouldn't not feed him. You are the mommy and you know best.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

2 months

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

I have similar feedings with DS, but he's only 2 months old.

I was thinking to maybe give him a smaller bottle for the 4 AM feeding, because he's not the type to be reswaddled and changed and go back to sleep....he wants his bottle!!!

Then again I've been told that it just comes naturally.....

But then AGAIN, no harm in helping nature a little.

Good Luck! let me know how it goes.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

are you breastfeeding? DD started sleeping through at almost 3 months but i had weaned her and started giving her formula. At first her formula bottle would only hold her for 4-5 hours but eventually she got bigger bottles and now sleeps from 9:30-10:30 pm until 6:30-7:30 am.

i'm a newbie too but what if you feed him more before his bedtime?

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

He will let you know when he is ready. I won't bother messing up his routine right now.

Christopher's middle night of the feeding went to 5:00am, then 6:00am and now since I am back at work he wakes up between 7/8am.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

My ped didn't mention that at DD's 4 month visit. He was happy with her eating/sleeping schedule. I tried to give sooth DD once instead of feeding her and it was quite clear she wasnt ready for that yet. BF babies need to eat more often in general.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

I stopped midnight feedings when DD slept through the night when she was about 4 or 5 weeks old. I feel like a bad mom... was I supposed to wake her up for them???

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

I just kept giving him the pacifier multiple times and was SHOCKED when he fell back asleep!! I was weaning at that time, but there were times when he did go a whole night after BFing.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

at 7 mths old...he's still waking most nights around 4am for a feeding

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

6 months. He does still wake for pacifier at almost 9 months.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Is it possible to introduce formula for the last bottle? It might satisfy him for longer, and he would still get the benefits of BF throughout the rest of the day.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

I'll let you know Jaidyn still wakes up in the middle of the night to BF She is almost 14 months.

ETA: I know it is only because I am there, we co-sleep.

Message edited 1/11/2008 11:40:37 AM.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Mine still wakes for a feeding, usually at 4 AM, he is one.

The LC told me that if he is getting up to snuggle, that's one thing. But if he is really attacking you and staying on longer then 8 minutes, he's hungry.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

2 months here..but she just slept right through. It wasn't anything I did!

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

ugh is that what i got to look forward too on the jan 23. Im taking her for her 4m ck up then. oh boy.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

we stopped at about 6 months

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

I stopped at 7 weeks but he gradually was pushing his feeding later and later so I think he was ready. Sounds like your DS isnt. I would try increasing the amount you feed him before bed. I think that helped us.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

3 months

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Thanks everyone! I tried the pacifier that night, he doesnt like it. He never did, even as a newborn. I always feed him as much as he wants for the final feeding so not much I can increase there. I honestly dont mind getting up to feed him and he is definitely eating for at least 15 minutes in the middle of the night so he is hungry. I am going to let him show me what he needs and maybe try it again in another month.

Re: When did you stop the middle of the night feeding?

Have you tried introducing cereal? I am not breastfeeding, but my Dr. told me at 4 months to start with cereal and then food. Now, at 5 months, we're just getting settled with cereal and trying new foods - but now that DD is eating more during the day, she is seeming not to need as much at night. She slept through last night!