it is messing up his feeding schedule because now he wants more food. He is already getting 6-8oz five times a day and I don't want to overfeed him.

I would never put cereal in his bottle either, I would water it down with formula in a bowl and feed it to him with a spoon. And I don't plan on even trying that until he is 4 months anyway, after I talk to his pediatrician.

 I was just wondering if any Moms know how I can get him back on his sleeping routine!

kendralmorrill:

it is messing up his feeding schedule because now he wants more food. He is already getting 6-8oz five times a day and I don't want to overfeed him.

I would never put cereal in his bottle either, I would water it down with formula in a bowl and feed it to him with a spoon. And I don't plan on even trying that until he is 4 months anyway, after I talk to his pediatrician.

 I was just wondering if any Moms know how I can get him back on his sleeping routine!

Just add a half hour between a couple of his bottles to keep him spaced out then, if you're worried. And, honestly, if he's hungry, feed him. Some days DS eats a lot more than other days. It all balances out.

I don't really care what time he wakes up.  But he isn't making up for lost sleeping hours during his daily naps.  And because he is awake more, he wants to eat more and I'm just worried about overfeeding him. 

He is 15lbs now and his pediatrician told me he should be getting 32-38oz in 24 hours.  He usually gets 32-36, but now he is getting 38 and sometimes wanting more.  

Today I am trying to give him more bottles with less formula in each, and I;m not sure how it's going.  A few of the bottles he was satisfied, but a few of them he wasn't! It's just frustrating because he was doing so well with feeding and sleeping just last week. and I can tell the adjustment is hard on him too :(

mabenner1:

kendralmorrill:

it is messing up his feeding schedule because now he wants more food. He is already getting 6-8oz five times a day and I don't want to overfeed him.

I would never put cereal in his bottle either, I would water it down with formula in a bowl and feed it to him with a spoon. And I don't plan on even trying that until he is 4 months anyway, after I talk to his pediatrician.

 I was just wondering if any Moms know how I can get him back on his sleeping routine!

Just add a half hour between a couple of his bottles to keep him spaced out then, if you're worried. And, honestly, if he's hungry, feed him. Some days DS eats a lot more than other days. It all balances out.

 That's a good idea...I've been trying that too.  I guess we will just have to keep adjusting for a while.  Hopefully things will work themselves out! I just want him to be healthy and happy :)

When he wakes up at 4am, can't you feed him and put him back to bed? That's what my LO does sometimes.

I used to stress over the perfect feeding schedule and getting the times just right but that's impossible. Trust me, as they get older, their sleeping and feeding schedule will constantly change. I wouldn't over think it and just adapt to what his sleeping times are. I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

kendralmorrill:

I don't really care what time he wakes up.  But he isn't making up for lost sleeping hours during his daily naps.  And because he is awake more, he wants to eat more and I'm just worried about overfeeding him. 

He is 15lbs now and his pediatrician told me he should be getting 32-38oz in 24 hours.  He usually gets 32-36, but now he is getting 38 and sometimes wanting more.  

Today I am trying to give him more bottles with less formula in each, and I;m not sure how it's going.  A few of the bottles he was satisfied, but a few of them he wasn't! It's just frustrating because he was doing so well with feeding and sleeping just last week. and I can tell the adjustment is hard on him too :(

His sleep is going to keep changing too. Nothing stays the same for long!

kbruington:

When he wakes up at 4am, can't you feed him and put him back to bed? That's what my LO does sometimes.

I used to stress over the perfect feeding schedule and getting the times just right but that's impossible. Trust me, as they get older, their sleeping and feeding schedule will constantly change. I wouldn't over think it and just adapt to what his sleeping times are. I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

I have tried putting him back to bed after he eats at 4am, but he doesn't want to sleep.  So we usually play on the floor/have tummy time, or walk around a bit until he gets tired.  Which makes for a very tired Mommy! lol

I think I'm just going to keep trying to space out the bottles and give more bottles with less in each.  Hopefully that works! Thank you for your advice :)

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

kendralmorrill:

well I take him out to feed him, and if I put him back in his crib right after he eats he will cry, and butt tapping or back rubbing doesnt work if he's not ready to sleep.  And I don't believe in letting him cry it out, it never works with him anyways.

I agree, not much works when they just don't want to sleep. Try as you might, you can't always make them sleep, even when they should!

Our LO was JUST doing this. She used to sleep from 7pm to 6am and was periodically waking. We didn't change her schedule, we just started offering her more per bottle. She's now back to normal!

I understand your pain. For daycare/ mom and dad working purposes, a schedule is essential.  

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

The changes you are describing are pretty common for that age. There are 2 growth spurts (3 and 4 months), the 4 month wakeful period and the stormy times before wonder week 19. I would recommend that you adjust to your LO's needs as this is a phase.

My LO (16.5 wks) was STTN and now is waking 3-4 times/ night and having a hard time napping. She nurses every hour during the day. It is HARD! But they are going through so many developmental changes and they need the extra attention and feedings.

kendralmorrill:

to be clear, by feeding schedule, I don't mean times he is fed...he eats when he needs to.  I just meant the amount he is getting.

There is nothing wrong with a feeding schedule. It isn't wrong for you to want some pattern and consistency in your life. I am not one to just fly by the seat of my pants when it comes to feeding/napping. Babies thrive on consistency and therefore having a "schedule" helps. They know they can depend on that -- you feeding them and taking care of them.

We do the eat, play, sleep cycle which right now is every 3 hours. She stays awake during the day for 1.5 hours normally (sometimes 3). It works for us and it ensures that she eats enough throughout the day to stay asleep at night. My LO is 19 weeks. I am expecting in the next few weeks that she will extend her time in between feedings from 3 to 4 hours which is normal for a baby that is 5 months.

I will also add that around 4 months babies go through a "wakeful" period. Basically, they come out of the "newborn" stage. The REM sleep cycle isn't as long and they will wake up more frequently and more easily. Sometimes you can let the lie there for a bit or pop a paci in to get them to sleep longer. I've let DD fuss (not cry) at night when she has woken per-maturely for 3-5 min and she goes back to sleep. Basically they need to learn how to put themselves back to sleep.

Good luck! 

kendralmorrill:

well I take him out to feed him, and if I put him back in his crib right after he eats he will cry, and butt tapping or back rubbing doesnt work if he's not ready to sleep.  And I don't believe in letting him cry it out, it never works with him anyways.

You can also do quiet cuddle time... Not full up and play mode. Then they will come to expect that which is not what you want.

Its normal to have a feeding schedule when your formula feed which you do. I know that bf babies are often fed on demand but that is because you don't know how much they are getting. Since you can regulate how much he eats a schedule should be fine. Obviously if your LO is absolutely starving between feedings for some reason then you will feed him. I have my LO on a feeding schedule and it is very very very rare that she will get hungry prior to the next feeding. 

mabenner1:

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

Yes, you do sound very snarky. 

She knows her babies signs just like I know mine. Babies give different cues for different things. For instance, if my baby is rubbing her eyes and fussing I don't say..."Must be hungry, time to eat!" No, I put her down for a nap. If my baby is drooling and chomping at the bit I don't say... "Must be hungry, time to eat!" But if my baby is fussing and whining and say, its been approximately 3 hours since she last ate then I can put my palm to my forehead and say, "Well duh! It must be time to eat!"

k8edgerton:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

Yes, you do sound very snarky. 

She knows her babies signs just like I know mine. Babies give different cues for different things. For instance, if my baby is rubbing her eyes and fussing I don't say..."Must be hungry, time to eat!" No, I put her down for a nap. If my baby is drooling and chomping at the bit I don't say... "Must be hungry, time to eat!" But if my baby is fussing and whining and say, its been approximately 3 hours since she last ate then I can put my palm to my forehead and say, "Well duh! It must be time to eat!"

mabenner1:

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

Doesn't sound snarky, I get it. I assume you're asking how do I differentiate between what he's crying about? I never know for sure and none of this is an exact science but I have a very happy baby most of the time and I feel that I can figure out what his needs are. USUALLY. He has been teething lately and is super fussy because of it, which is very different than when he's hungry. Yes, when he is having a growth spurt (which I think people blame everything on) I can tell he is hungrier because he freaks when the bottle is gone and wants more. Then I do feed him a little more. He is never "starving".

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

Doesn't sound snarky, I get it. I assume you're asking how do I differentiate between what he's crying about? I never know for sure and none of this is an exact science but I have a very happy baby most of the time and I feel that I can figure out what his needs are. USUALLY. He has been teething lately and is super fussy because of it, which is very different than when he's hungry. Yes, when he is having a growth spurt (which I think people blame everything on) I can tell he is hungrier because he freaks when the bottle is gone and wants more. Then I do feed him a little more. He is never "starving".

k8edgerton:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

Yes, you do sound very snarky. 

She knows her babies signs just like I know mine. Babies give different cues for different things. For instance, if my baby is rubbing her eyes and fussing I don't say..."Must be hungry, time to eat!" No, I put her down for a nap. If my baby is drooling and chomping at the bit I don't say... "Must be hungry, time to eat!" But if my baby is fussing and whining and say, its been approximately 3 hours since she last ate then I can put my palm to my forehead and say, "Well duh! It must be time to eat!"

Love it. You put that exactly how I was thinking. And yes, just like this person says later in this discussion, we will have to agree to disagree.

ashcart01:

Our LO was JUST doing this. She used to sleep from 7pm to 6am and was periodically waking. We didn't change her schedule, we just started offering her more per bottle. She's now back to normal!

 

I understand your pain. For daycare/ mom and dad working purposes, a schedule is essential.  

 

thanks! I work part-time so a schedule is very nice to have! I don't mind if we go off a little but I know he needs more sleep!

ashcart01:

Our LO was JUST doing this. She used to sleep from 7pm to 6am and was periodically waking. We didn't change her schedule, we just started offering her more per bottle. She's now back to normal!

 

I understand your pain. For daycare/ mom and dad working purposes, a schedule is essential.  

 

thanks! I work part-time so a schedule is very nice to have! I don't mind if we go off a little but I know he needs more sleep!

k8edgerton:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

mabenner1:

kbruington:

 I definitely wouldn't recommend feeding a baby anytime he/she is hungry...try to stick to spacing out bottles but just adjust according to when your LO wakes up. Babies need schedules but things are always changing so try not to stress it or overthink it.

Really?  Most pediatricians recommend baby-led scheduling. That way, parents can learn their little one's needs. It is about the baby, not what is easiest for us as parents.

Not my Pediatrician. If I let my LO eat everytime he was hungry, he would eat 6 oz every 2 hours and that is way too much. I have figured out his needs and have developed a loose schedule based on that. I believe you can't just let babies do whatever they want, when they want. They need guidance and that's not because it's easier for the parents, it's because that is what is best for the baby. None of this is ever easy for me!

I have a question then, and it may sound snarky, but it is legit: How do you differentiate, then, if LO is teething, or having a growth spurt, or just starving?  Do you just say, oh, well, you've had enough so you don't get to eat?  I really just don't understand.

Yes, you do sound very snarky. 

She knows her babies signs just like I know mine. Babies give different cues for different things. For instance, if my baby is rubbing her eyes and fussing I don't say..."Must be hungry, time to eat!" No, I put her down for a nap. If my baby is drooling and chomping at the bit I don't say... "Must be hungry, time to eat!" But if my baby is fussing and whining and say, its been approximately 3 hours since she last ate then I can put my palm to my forehead and say, "Well duh! It must be time to eat!"

I agree!! :)