Super Hungry Baby!

The general rule of thumb is-when he's hungry, feed him!!

The most formula you should give him is 8oz at a time (his belly can't handle more than that) & at his age he might still need that every couple hours-some babies are starting to go 3-4 hours between feedings by now, but it sounds like your little man has quie the appetite! At his age he should be drinking around 32oz of formula a day.

I would try to space his meals out about every three hours (thats how my daughter was, and still is even as a toddler) and give him a 6oz bottle and 1/2 cup cereal at each meal & see if that keeps him fuller for longer.

As far as sleeping through the night, there isn't much you can do to "train" him just yet...he's still young enough to need to be fed on demand (which, I know, is frustrating, but just keep in mind it wont be much longer!) When he is closer to a year and still isnt sleeping at least 8 hours, you can begin to wean away his night feedings. The best thing you can do is to give him a bottle right before bed (but DONT put cereal in it; thats an old wives' tale & is super unhealthy). That might keep his tummy full for a little while. A warm bath and a short massage might also help. Now is a great time to develop a bedtime routine- a bath and/or massage, reading a book to him, lotioning him, singing to him with the lights low,rocking him, whatever you choose. Once you do it (and do the same thing every night, in the same order), he will start to know that following all these events, comes bedtime.

Now: the pooping! Pooping is one of things that varies from baby to baby. As long as he doesn't go four days with NO bowel movement & as long as he doesn't have 4 or more loose stools in one day, he's fine. You're probably right in assuming he's just getting used to solid food. Be happy he can go that aften--my poor baby girl has the HARDEST time pooping & she screams in pain every time she goes :( I'm sure changing that many smelly diapers gets old, though, lol!!

I'm no expert on any of these issues, but I'm ANAL about everything concerning my daughter (I'm a first time mom obsessed with being a first time mom!), so I'm constantly asking the other moms in my life about their experiences and I read ALOT of different books, magazines, websites, ect. to teach myself all about her emotional, mental, and physical development & that's how I came up with all my answers!

I don't recall giving my girls that much food at that young of an age. Try to give 8 ounces of formula instead of 6. I was giving my girls 8 ounces at feedings at this age. The carrots and fruits and cereals might be to much for him all at one time. I just did the rice cereals plain and the ones that had the banana flavor. Just in the evening bottle. With making it a little thicker than normal my girls would sleep through the night. They would wake up for a wet diaper. but hardly ever to feed.

(my first child was still a BF baby but my other two were bottle babies at this age)

I would still call the doc to see what he/she has to say.

You need to talk to your doctor or a ped. doctor. That seems like alot of food for a 5 month old.Sounds like your starting all these foods a bet early.Board of health puts out a diary of when you should start what food at what age. But diffently call your doctor.
As for as at night all babies are different. My grandchild woke up at night til about 9 or 10 monthes old. Hank in there this too will pass.Good luck and God bless.

I agree with that every baby is different. That does sound like he's eating a lot and pooping a lot, but if he's healthy and consistent, I wouldn't worry too much. Maybe try to give him more than 6 oz to try and space out the feedings. As far as waking in the night, I don't know - all 4 of mine have slept though the night very early - my youngest is 2 months and she sleeps through the night. Maybe he's not hungry at night - just waking up. Have you tried getting him back to sleep without offering a bottle? Has he always woken this much? If your doc is satisfied with his health and weight, it just sounds like you in deed have a super eater (hopefully he'll maintain it through the finicky toddler days). :) It will likely level out. But I feel for you having to get up so much. Tell Dad to alternate these night feedings so Mama can get some rest too! :)

I think this falls under the "every baby is different" category. I have worked in infant rooms and have taken care of 4 of my own and each of the has had a very different appetite/bm schedule. My nephew is 3 and still poops 3-4 times a day. He's been tested (endoscopy/colonoscopy/food allergies, etc) and is just fine. Every one is different. I would talk to your Pediatrician if you are concerned, otherwise, figure out how to keep him satisfied with healthy stuff and don't sweat it. Good luck!