Baby Wakes for 2 Hours in the Middle of the Night, HELP!

Hi L., give her rice cereal before bed time it will fill her up till morning, I started that when my babies were 6 weeks ( my mons advice ) it worked never hand any more problems, If you give her the pacifire, and or a feeding at 3 or 4 am she will become depended on it and you will have created a bad habit with her. J. L.

If you have a baby that's been sleeping through the night, DO NOT go back to feeding her. If she's just waking up and not crying, let her fall back to sleep on her own. She probably thinks that it's morning time when you're feeding her and that's why she's having trouble getting back to sleep. Try leaving her alone and see what happens...

Hi L. :)

I know a lot of moms won't agree with what I'm
going to suggest, however, when you need sleep, you NEED sleep! I breastfed both of my children till they were 15 months. Neither one of them were good sleepers; and my daughter had her days and nights mixed up for months. Both of my kids never slept through the night... waking up every 2 hours was to be expected. If they slept longer, I would still wake up because I thought something was wrong. It was miserable and I was suffering from pure exhaustion.

What helped me was to make a safe place next to me in the middle of the bed for my little one, where I could breastfeed lying down. I could get sleep that way (or a deep, deep state of relaxation), but I was conscious enough to know what the baby was doing. That started many wonderful nights of rest for both of us! The babies/kids just want to feel safe and there is no better place than right next to mommy, or mommy and daddy together! Both of my children slept longer next to me and I just started sleeping with one breast out so they could latch on whenever they liked and I didn't have to get out of bed at all. It was great! Especially come the winter when it got colder in the house at night. I never liked sitting there breastfeeding, trying to stay awake, when I knew I was so comfy in my bed. Try it. She'll really like it! You might, too! You can always put her in her crib after you feed her like that once she's fallen asleep. Or, you can try going to bed before your husband so you and the baby can fall asleep earlier together in your bed. He can then put her in her crib when he goes to sleep, leaving you to wake up the next time she does so you can just be left to sleep- just be flexible. And I guarantee this will get you some more rest and so many beautiful hugs you would otherwise be missing! :) I LOVE hugging my kids!!! Any chance I can get, I take! It's also comforting for them to know that they have a safe place if they're scared. My daughter will be 6 on Sat and my son just turned 3. Although they sleep in their own rooms now, they are both so comfy and I can't help but to fall asleep with a peaceful, joy-filled smile on my face when we are all having cuddlies together!! :)- my husband included! :)

In Light,
J.

Hi L.,

I know its tough! She is probably growing and needs to eat more. Everyone wishes babies would sleep through the night but they really are not suppose to. I don't believe in anything but breastmilk at that age but thats just me! My only suggestion is maybe keep her up a little later and co-sleep with her. When she wakes up nurse her and see if you can both get right back to sleep plus have some make up time from being away from each other during the day. Also what if you have Dad do an earlier bottle and you do the ten PM feeding she might get a little more of the hind milk from your breast which is more filling! You are doing a great job! This part doesn't last forever:) All the Best!
Steph

When my son came home from the NICU st 7 wks old the nurses told us not to expect him to 'sleep through the night' until he was at least six months old. I breastfed/bottlefed on demand, and he would sleep foe three to four hours at a time, until he was about four months old when he started expressing interest in my food and we began rice cereal at about five months.

Your babies needs change, and as they grow they know what the need...it's up to us to listen and read the cues.

I agree it sounds like a growth spurt and a need for more of the good stuff! Don't worry, this will not last forever just give her time and be flexible.

Perhaps she is going to sleep too early. Try pushing her bedtime up to 8 or 8:30 and see how she does. I understand "they" say that a baby needs "X" hours of sleep - but at the end of the day with naps and all they do get what they need. One of the wonderful things about babies is they actually listen to their bodies - it is just up to us, the parents, to listen to our babies when they are trying to tell us something.

One more thing: your baby is only 13 weeks - do NOT add cereal to her bottle! They are not ready for "solids" till they are 6 months, and grains should not be introduced till 7 or 8 months, as they are not able to digest them till then. I know we all need our rest, but not at the expense of our little ones' health!

first off, many children will switch things up for you now and then...sleep schedules will be a 'battle' for years to come if you are hoping to have it a certain way always...these little people like to keep our lives spicy and they have different sleep patterns that are constantly developing, so as they develop they also change. :)

Both of my children have at one time or another needed a early morning bottle. I tried to push it out to 5am...because for some reason getting up for the day at 5am or later is doable for me, but 4:59am or soon is asking way too much of me. LOL sooo when they feel they need to eat at 4:30 I for a few nights will take a smidgen longer to get that bottle ready and soon enough they are waking for it at 5am.

And feeding that early in the am is during a sleep cycle that is very light, so it's not as easily to get back into a deep sleep as it would if you were doing a dream feed during a more deep sleep cycle. The early morning feeds actually wakes them up more..so my suggestion is push it to a time that is better for you, either wake them up around 2am and feed or push it to 5am, etc...it may or may not work, but worth a try because what you're doing now isn't working for you...right?

PS are you sure she's 'hungry' and not just needing to suck?

I agree that you are experiencing a growth sprurt period! I suggest try putting her down later.
Good luck!

Hi L.,
I had the exact same issue. My baby started sleeping throught the night at about two months but it only lasted for about a month and a hlaf. Then she was waking up hungry several times during the night. I couldn't just let her cry as many people suggested, so I just dealt with it and hoped it would change eventually. After our four months check up, the doctor suggested to mix a little bit of rice cereal in her bottle of expressed milk in the evening, and it helped. When I was concerned about starting that early, she said that rice cereal is very easy for them to digest and totally hypoallergenic, and they even give it to four week old colicky babies. You should ask your pediatrician though.The only problem we had is a little bit of constipation every now and then, but that can be fixed with extra water or prune juice. Now she goes to bed at 7:00 and wakes up at about 6:00. Good luck!!!

Read this link for ideas:
http://www.mamasource.com/request/recent/96824/1222545587/9

Yes, she is probably going through a growth spurt...at these times they get hungrier more often, and need more intake. It's normal. Feed her.

A baby's sleep patterns and intake requirements change all the time... per their development and constant physical/cognitive changes.

Yes, it's tiring...but for the baby, it's not easy either. They wake for a reason.

If you do add formula....just do it for night time... you don't want to make it a habit all day, or it will probably affect your breastmilk production.
you can add the formula in a 50/50 ratio or a even just one ounce of it. But, this may or may not work. For some it does.
Many Moms, for various reasons, will mix formula with breastmilk for night-time and so Daddy can do this "job" letting Mom rest. It's okay... don't feel guilt about it... sure, they say breast is best...but I know for some situations some Moms need alternatives. Also, some babies may get used to the Formula... and then just prefer that. So keep that in mind. Others will reject Formula, so keep that in mind too. Each baby is different.

Also though, I would make sure she IS getting enough intake...and your production is fine. Sometimes, if they are not getting enough intake, they will wake more and be hungry all the time. As they grow, they naturally increase in their intake needs and requirements. But I think your baby is having a growth spurt.

Filling up a baby does not always "make" the baby sleep longer or better. Also, some babies during growth spurts need to cluster feed... and this is why they wake so much.

you need to go according to your baby's needs. It will pass... but I know it's tiring. Many more phases and sleep changes will occur, not to mention their teething wakings when that occurs... main thing is to keep consistent in your manner of aiding her. Babies and children thrive with a routine and consistency.

All the best,
Susan

I am going through the same thing right now. Mine is in her 14th week. She slept great until her 13th week, and then she wakes between 2-3. I too feed her if I can't get her to go back to sleep. I usually try for a half an hour in her crib, but if she becomes too alert she becomes really hungry.

At week 12 there is a growth spurt so I assumed it was just that and fed her when she wouldn't go back to sleep and was eating her hand. But now....

I don't know if this is happening to you as well, but about the time the waking started she also began drooling like mad, biting my hands and biting anything she can put in her mouth. In short she is teething. I asked our pediatrician and he said that she most certainly is teething even though we wont see teeth (or the bumps) until maybe 5 months, she can feel them.

I give her Hyland's homeopathic teething tablets about 2 or 3 times during the day and if she is gnawing a lot in the evening I give her baby Tylenol to help her fall asleep. (She's been falling asleep later and later chewing...)

I too miss my baby sleeping through the night and hope that it will return sometime soon. I will be checking to see what amazing advice the other moms have for you as well.

Sounds like she's having a growth spurt. Once she 'levels out' again she'll sleep longer. Don't add formula until she's at least 4 months old! It changes the gut flora. Mother's milk is best, formula if you can't but wait on the solids.

your baby is hitting a growth spurt it sounds like. you can add a little formula or rice cereal to her bottle or also see if she will take an extra ounce. this will pass in time hopefully not long. good luck!

I want to congratulate you for continuing to breastfeed your baby! At age 13 weeks, her sleeping and feeding needs have probably changed some and need some adjustment. I would try to delay the morning nap gradually. Whatever time she is going down for a nap in the morning, delay it each day (or have her caretaker do so) by 20 minutes or so, until it is about an hour later. Oftentimes the nap schedule determines how early the baby wakes up. Also, it might be helpful to feed her promptly when she awakens at 3:30 and then put her right back down to sleep, so she does not become so wide awake. Another thought: Is it possible that her morning feeding, which I would guess is at 7:00, is a little rushed, since you are trying to make it off to school? That could also be contributing to her needing more milk and time with you during the night. You could try waking her up a little sooner then and spend more time feeding her before you go to work. I have three older children and remember fondly the joy of caring for them as babies. Good luck to you and baby!

You are experiencing what most of us experience:o) I know you are exhasted and want life to be back to what it was in regards to sleep.

Your baby is WAY to little, not ready for any type of food so keep doing what you are doing. Some of the things to think about is what are you eating? Could something be bothering their not quite developed and developing digestive system. Diary and most times Soy can be difficult for them to digest.

Another thing to think about is vaccinations. Has your baby received any? Please become very informed about them and know that you know what is best for your baby.

I would give her strain formula i would also try adding a little baby cereal to a warm bottle, my klids were all on cereal id also do a warm bath before bed,and also a baby message with some warm baby lotion, or oil.E.,my kids were also on fruits at3mos they bslept very well.E.

Most breastfed babies require middle of the night feedings through 6-9 months.Consider yourself lucky up until now. She may be going through a growth spurt too. Atthis age respond when she wakes. I would not even consider any kind of sllep training until 6 months.

Start playing with her during the day until she gets tired. Only then put her down. Keep her up as much as you can during the day.

J.

L.,
First off,kudos to you for going back to work so early! I teach too, and didn't go back until my son was 8 months. Now I am pregnant with my second and plan to go back in April when he's about 5 months. I don't know how you do it. I think it's great that she slept through the night for that short amount of time, but its not typical for babies to sleep 12 hours, especially when they are nursing. Keep her up later, maybe till 8:30 and make sure you nurse her well before she goes to sleep. You can add some formula, seperate from your milk as an added supplement. She may be going through a growth spurt. Another alternative is to get her up before you go to bed and nurse her then. If not, you may think of joining her schedule. Go to bed early so you can handle being up when she's up. It's only temporary, she won't have the schedule forever.

Babies sleeping and eating habits change so often, but here is what worked for me. Try giving formula instead of breast milk for the last ____@____.com takes longer for them to digest formula then it does breast milk. She is just waking up because she's hungry. I was one of those moms who also never wanted to add cereal in the bottle either until my daughter was 6 months and started waking up 2-3 times during the night and then that all changed. I am a nurse who went back to work when my daughter was 5 months old and still wanted to breast feed, but I realized that it was very difficult and stopped around 7 months or so. Just when you think you have their sleeping habits down, you'll soon realize that they change and so will you.
Good luck!

Maybe she needs a schedule change. She is growing and sleeping a little less. Maybe instead of down at 6:30 or 7:00, put her down a little longer (maybe 7:30)and then keep her up longer during the 10:00 feeding. If you don't put her down for an hour or so, she may sleep longer in the morning (could be about 5:00). At 13 weeks old, sleeping five hours is considered to be "sleeping through the night."

Hi L.!

I know how crazy it is. We had the same thing happen with our daughter. It's usually temporary. Just the same - my recommendation for formula is Earth's Best Organic. It doesn't have sugar in it - almost every other formula does. Also, (check with your ped on this) put 1 tsp of flax seed oil in the bottle right before bed. This will give her more calories and help her get through the night. Plus it's a wonderful supplement with all kinds of health benefits. Our pediatrician recommended it in general. Good luck!

It sounds like your baby is hitting a milestone, usually their sleep pattern gets interrupted when this happens. Could be growing, teething, learning to walk etc.....If your baby didn't eat during the night before then she doesn't need to be fed at 4am. I would try soothing her and putting her back down in her crib. She will cry but should put herself right back to sleep. It was really hard for me to let my son cry for too long b/c I felt so bad but eventually I had to let him. I'd watch the clock and add a minute or so each time, it got easier and he eventually put himself back to sleep again.

I don't think adding formula is the answer either unless you were planning on putting it in the bottle at 10, but I don't think she needs it.

Good luck L.

You have very good advice here except the let her cry herself to sleep notion. She's way way way too young for that. Even Dr. Ferber who came up with this concept, which I wholly disagree with, said that people are applying it much much too early and shouldn't even consider it til 6 months and then only 5 minutes at a time. Sadly some people don't realize that at this young of an age your baby simply needs you and should not feel uncomforted so you are doing a great job! But if all the advice doesn't work don't worry this phase will pass, they change so rapidly and their sleep pattern changes, just when you think you've got it down, something new happens. Try the Dr. Karp's "happiest baby on the block" 5 s's, one or all may help: swaddle, suck, soothe (he has a special way of holding them),sshing and swing. Another great resource is www.awareparenting.com. Good luck and hope you can get some sleep too.