5 Month Old Still Wakes up 2-3 Hours at Night to Nurse

I was 37 when we had our first, and it was the same for me 2-3 hours. I understand completely! If she is feeding fully off both breasts, she may not be getting enough milk. It's no fault of yours, she's just growing faster than the milk supply. You might want to start adding a bottle with some rice cereal in it...just poke a hole a little bigger in the nipple. If you don't want to do milk, maybe you can pump during the day and save some for a nightly feeding. Make sure you alternate breasts though for pumping! No matter what I did though, she still loved getting up and spending time with me....enjoy it, as one day you won't get those chances to be alone with your little one! :-)

I don't mean to discourage you, but my son did not sleep through the night until he was almost 3.

When I was nursing, he woke up twice a night.

Maybe you can try putting her to bed a little later? Try feeding her a little more at suppertime?

I'm sure it's a stage she will grow out of, but she may not sleep through the night for a while. You may want to ask your pediatrician if they have any ideas. I knwo I tried a bunch and nothign worked with my son, but twice a night isn't bad. I H. she grows out of it!

Good luck!

Hi Maria-

Is she falling asleep while nursing? If so, try waking her up so that she finishes nursing on both sides before she goes to sleep. Do this at each feeding so that she doesn't need it as often. If you're already doing that, try not nursing her the first time she wakes up at night. Just soothe her back to sleep and then nurse her the next time she wakes up so that you slowly stretch out the length of time she goes between nursing.

Good Luck!
K.

My daughter was this way. It does get better but she is healthy and I say it is because I always made sure she ate when she wanted. She wasn't fat but very healthy. I also found out she had a high metabolism and that is why she would be hungry. I was a zombie too. Hardly got any sleep. It does get better like I said. It is an adjusting period. I believe she started sleeping longer at 8 months then all night after 1 yr old.