Waking Up for Milk!

[Mills2015]

Hi
My little girl is about to turn 1 in a few weeks time. She was breastfed until 5 months and then gradually moved on to formula. She slept brilliant and would normally go from 7pm til 7am. But everything changed around the 10minth stage! This coincides with a holiday abroad, as well as teething. I'm inclined to think it's more to do with the teething, but the holiday did disrupt her routine. Anyway, we have a good bedtime routine in place and she's goes down in her cot without any fuss. But pretty much every night for the last couple of months, she wakes anywhere between 1 and 3 am. And the only way she will settle is with a bottle. 90% of the time she will take 7ozs so she seems hungry. But She eats well through the day and still has a morning and nighttime bottle. I'm worried that it is becoming more of a habit and wonder if anyone else has any suggestions? She has never had a dummy, although it has been offered, but I wonder if she is sucking for comfort. Any tips would be appreciated! x

[Sleepyandiknowit]

Doesn't sound like habit or comfort as she's taking a full feed. How long has it been going on? Could be a growth spurt. I would offer more snacks, bigger meals and ensure evening meal contained complex carbs. Used to give my DS baby rice with fruit as pudding to ensure he was full. He ate loads but he would wake in the night if he hadn't had enough.

If you do think it's habit try the wake to sleep method. Wake her slightly at 12 but not fully and hope fully it will break the cycle. You could also try a top up at 10pm.

Good luck and I hope it gets back to normal soon xx

[Nottsangel2015]

My dd is doing the same she is 8 months although was a preemie so is 5.5 months corrected. We had her sleeping through about 2 months from 7.30 - 5 am and then about 4 weeks ago she just started waking up, now she wakes up anytime between 1 and 4 and still awake and up by 5.30am! She also takes a good 4oz at the time (normally tAkes 5-6oz in the day) so I do believe she must be hungry bit don't understand why, she is eating 3 good meals a day for her weight (she is tiny only 13.3lb) and takes 4 5-6 oz bottles over the day. She won't literally drink anymore or eat anymore in the day than we offer her, the hv said she is more than happy that she is getting enough food so I'm confused also. I know there is this thing called sleep regression but o thought that happened earlier?
Anyway sorry I've not been able to offer advise but just wanted to say your not alone! Shall be waiting to see what advise people have.
I've thought about topping her up when I go to bed but I really don't know if that will encourage waking up for a feed even earlier and I don't want to encourage her waking up anymore than she already does.

[Mills2015]

Thanks for the updates. Typically, since I posted things have got better!! The last couple of nights she's gone back to sleeping through. Her too tooth has come down so I'm guessing all the previous waking up was down to her teething and the milk must've been for comfort! Anyway, we'll see how things go and hopefully it's just a phase with the teething!

[Nottsangel2015]

That's interesting! Glad all back to normal!. We have no teeth yet but have had plenty of chewing and red cheeks so guessing it's happening soon. Maybe that's our problem then too? Hope so, can't wait to get a whole nights sleep again lol xx