Nearly six months old and feeding pattern up the spout....

[HKat]

My DD is five and a half months and although we always fed on demand, she took her milk pretty regularly - usually every 3-4 hours and would normally finish the bottle. That was up until about six weeks ago when what we thought was just a bad cold turned into bronchialitis. She's fine now, but her feeding has been very erratic ever since. She's still getting enough milk overall, but I couldn't tell you the last time she finished a bottle (180ml) - or had more than half in one sitting. It's not just expensive as we're wasting a lot of formula, but she's now waking for small feeds in the night which is disappointing after sleeping through (with a dream feed) since 11-12 weeks. A minor problem in the grand scheme of things but if anyone had any suggestions as to how to get her back into more of a routine, it would be much appreciated!

[easytiger12]

I think just ride it out. Babies change all the time ... DS now 16 mo and I think back to all the times we thought 'oh great he's now down to only one night feed' and then he'd start wanting to feed every three hours. Or, after a month of no night feeds, suddenly he'd start wanting one again.

Realistically, what CAN you do? It's impossible to force her to finish her bottles. If she's falling asleep during feed, you could change her nappy to wake her up, or just strip her off a bit so she's less cosy and that might wake her and get her feeding again.

But honestly, I think she'll just sort herself out. The first year they're changing all the time - just rest assured that most babies have stopped feeding overnight by the time they are one, and that (potential) year of night feeding will soon seem like a long time ago.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Glad she s feeling a little better, bronchitis must have been scary for you all.

Does she take more if you do something energetic like play group or swimming.

I'd try posting in the breast & bottle section too as you may get a few more responses[hsmile]

[HKat]

Ah thanks for the replies - I will post in breast and bottle, but what you've both said is reassuring, thank you :)