4mth old still waking in the night - am I feeding too much?!

[GiggidyGiggidy]

I wasn't sure whether to put this under development or feeding so I have put it under both! I am a first time mum, and my dd is 19 weeks old and weighs a healthy 15lb 4oz. She is bottle fed and is generally a good eater, having around 30-35oz during the day depending on how hungry she is. However she is still waking during the night for a feed, albeit only once (anytime between 1-5am), and then will eventually go back to sleep until morning. I thought this was quite good, however a few friends and family members have been saying that she should be sleeping through at this age (she has never slept through once!).

Is this the case and how can I wean her off this bottle? My mum suggested I could start gradually decreasing the amount she has during the night until she no longer needs it. But I am concerned she will be still hungry and won't sleep. Somebody else suggested water?! I can't leave her to cry as I still think she is too young for that. And I do not want to start weaning just yet (as has also been suggested!).

Another question is that if she is having this night feed, it takes the amount she is having to over 40oz in 24 hours. I have read in one book that the amont she only needs 20oz, and then somewhere else it stated 32oz. So am I giving too much?! I don't want to be over feeding her but I don't want her to be hungry either

Any info or advice will be appreciated.

[Iggly]

She sounds perfect!!! Go and have a look at the sleep boards - once a night, especially at this age is fab!

People tend to forget what their babies did when so IGNORE.

As for how much she takes - there are no rules. Babies come in all shapes and sizes so will naturally want need different amounts. Please ignore again - go by your baby's cues. If she seems full, stop feeding.

[NinjaTurtle]

DD has started sleeping through. The last three nights. She's one. Also FF. 4 months is very early to be sleeping through. Waking once is great. DD was up every 90 minutes at that age. My hv told me that it's actually uncommon for a baby under six months to sleep through.

[Momo36]

It is perfectly normal for a 4 mo to wake up at night for a feed! Not sure why would anyone tell you otherwise. Also waking only once a night is quite good at this stage.

[Seona1973]

dd was 5 1/2 months and ds was 8 months before they slept through without feeding. I started reducing ds's night feed from 6 months old (just by an ounce every week until he stopped waking for it - took a couple of months though). The general rule of thumb for a non-weaned baby is 2.5oz per lb of body weight which would be 15 x 2.5 in your case which is 37.5oz. It is a general guide and some babies need more or less than the calculated figure. Your lo sounds fine to me and she will sleep through when she is ready.

[Nagoo]

Ignore them.

She sounds fine.

I wish mine only woke once.

[ThatsNotMyBabyBelly]

DD1 sleeping through 11 weeks from 7 - 7. DD2 14 weeks and no where near sleeping through. She is having a dream feed at 11, and then wakes either once or twice before 6am. At every feed she is having at least 5ozs.

Both were a similar weight and very similar babies. But they all have different needs.

So she must be on about 35 ozs I guess all together.

Just carry on with what you are doing. When your dd starts taking less milk at night then that might be the time to try and stop the night feeds. Until then you should cary on as you are, you sound like you are doing a fab job.

[GiggidyGiggidy]

Thanks for all your all advice and reassurances, I really appreciate it. I thought she was doing well, but its hard to ignore when others say different! I guess I'll just keep as I am for now, and hopefully one magical night she will sleep through

[TheMitfordsMaid]

My 2 year old is still waking at night, so I suspect night waking has bugger all to do with how much a baby is fed.