How many feeds for a 4 and a half month old?

[fifitot]

Actually nearly 5 months and ebf. He isn't sleeping well and having some big feeds during the night. During the day he has 3 naps, 45 mins at 9, a 2-3 hour one around noon and another shortish one anytime between 4 and 5. IN between he will feed but today for instance I fed him at 5 am(!), 7.30am, 11ish and 1ish. That's 4 so far and it's nearly 3 pm. I expect I will feed again at 3.30, 5ish and 6.30 ish as last daytime feed. This makes around 7.

I am starting to think he isn't getting enough during the day and feeding more at night, sleeping when he should be feeding and getting into a viscious circle with it.

How many times roughly will your 4/5 month old feed before 7pm say?

Thanks.

[HelenLG]

Mine is feeding loads, just today we feed at: -

4am
6am
7.30am
9am
11am
1.30pm
2pm

And these aren't quick feeds, we're talking 20 to 30 minutes at a time. He's also had a spoonful of baby rice at 11.30am

hides face in shame

[HelenLG]

I should say he's been eating like this for weeks now, so I'm not puttig it down to a growth spurt

[fifitot]

Thanks. What about at night? Still every 2 hours? My DS does every 2-3 hours at night (yawn) but less during the day - I need to reverse this trend.

Laughing at comment re baby rice. Get thee to the school of bad mothers!!! I was thinking of doing same - in fact GP suggested it!

[HelenLG]

HV said I could wean whenever last time saw her, spoke to her on the phone last week and said just to try him with a little rice or veg.

He feeds less at night: -

7pm
10pm
4am

I'm still totally knackered as he doesn't settle any more after 4am.

On a side note, he's feeding again now...

[PeanutButter99]

I'm thinking the same! Bought baby porridge at the weekend .
These are the times he feeds when I'm at work.
bf 6.30am
3 bottles of ebm 6-8oz during day
bf 7ish
bf 10ish
then 2 times or more in the night!
He's screaming these days and only milk will calm him down.

[PeanutButter99]

DS is 20 weeks btw

[HelenLG]

I've had the screaming to Peanut. Screams til boob is in is mouth and guzzles it down with his tummy making noises like he hasn't eaten in days, let alone an hour ago.

[PeanutButter99]

Yes!!! His tummy makes gurgling noises like the milk is swishing round in an empty bucket! If anyone heard they would think I'd been starving him :)

[Summerhols]

My DD is 5mo, today:
6am
7am
9.15am
10.45am
12.45
2.30

And right now...

She'll go 2 hr/ 1 hr till bed time.

But whispers summerhols she sleeps from 9pm to 6am.

[HelenLG]

I'm glad it's not just me then!!

[PeanutButter99]

My DS used to sleep through but he's been waking in the night to feed for the last 2 weeks. I used to think I had the perfect baby [sigh]
Although his little smile and giggles makes up for it (for now!!)

[HelenLG]

My DS has only ever slept through the night twice...

I thought babies that slept through til 7am were a myth.

[PeanutButter99]

If they're not going to sleep through then it's better they don't ever. Just gives you a false sense of security! I got used to my full night sleep. Now I'm back at work and going to bed before 9pm just to function. Haven't seen DH in ages! Like ships passing in the night :(

[HelenLG]

I do keep thinking about going to bed early but I really enjoy my 'babyfree' time... is that selfish?

[PeanutButter99]

Definately not! My baby free time is when I'm at work. It is nice to get away although I do miss him. Makes you a better mum :)
Plus if I was awake I'd just feel like I had to iron or clean or something!

[HelenLG]

I can't wait to get back to work...I'm going in next friday to discuss going back in February.

I feel like I should want to be at home, but I think I just need a bit of space for myself...plus I actually like my job.

[PeanutButter99]

I love my job. Annoyed that I had to go back when DS was only 3 1/2 months but the mortgage needs paid!
I actaully have lots of time away from DS. Is that bad? So many people on here panic at the thought of leaving their DCs for a few hours. My DS has stayed overnight with my mum and my dad looked after him on sunday so I could go watch Harry Potter. I have my work do in a few weeks and I'm going to Liverpool for a night the week before Christmas. Oh, when I say it all out loud I sound like a bad mum!

[HelenLG]

You're not a bad mum. DS has been babysat by all sets of parents for hours at a time.

If he would sleep through the night I would be inclined to let someone else to look after him over night, but as it is I don't think it's fair on either party.

[PeanutButter99]

When he stayed over with mum he was sleeping through, He's not anymore. When I go to Liverpool DH will keep him. He'll probably go and stay in mums with DS. I think DH, mum, dad and my sister will be able to cope with anything DS throws at them :)

[ClimberChick]

A 2-3hr nap

up to 6 months DD fed every 2 hours day and night.

[fifitot]

Oh Climber - I guess I shouldn't feel so hard done by then!!!! The long nap is a bit of a godsend if I'm honest.

[Woodlands]

my 4.5 mo old ds feeds about every 2 hours during the day and every 3 hours at night. since midnight he's fed at 3am, 6am, 7.30am, 10am and he's feeding now. he used to go for anything up to 9 hours at night, but no longer sadly!