6.5 month old only feeding at night.

[m33r]

I’ve already sort of posted about this but looking for any experiences at all...

Two weeks ago I switched from EBF to formula and we have managed (with some difficulty but have got there!). The only problem is my LB has virtually no milk at all in the day which means he takes milk at 7pm, 10pm, 12, 2 then is up kind of fussing and sometimes taking some milk 3,4,5 and 6. At 6 he doesn’t take milk just cuddles in. He then doesn’t have any milk again TIL 10am. He has breakfast at 8 but just rejects milk completely. He then has the odd 2oz here or there.

He has breakfast - porridge or yogurt and banana; lunch and dinner of puréed veg. I try to include potato and have recently also added cheese.

At the moment i’m Trying to offer milk as much as possible in the day but he just doesn’f Want it. At night he is definitely starving and I don’t see how I can possibly not feed his wee starving self...

My questions are:

Should I do anything different in the day - more food or less food?
Should I be cutting milk at night - seems cruel as he is clearly starving?
Any tips on how to get him to take more milk in the day?

Any other experiences or tips? I am absolutely knackered with the night wakings and I really feel he would sleep if he wasn’t hungry...

Thanks so much xx

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

I think that I would cut right down on his solids. He is only 6 and a half months and for most of the first year their calories should come from milk; solids just gets them used to taste and texture. How much milk does he have in 24hrs?

[ScarletBegonia1234]

I have had a similar issue with dd who is very easily distracted so prefers to play rather then feed in the day and demand bf hourly at night

I have been stretching her feeds out at night...no feed if it's been less then 3 hours. The first couple of nights she was definitely hungry and cross but only had to wait an hour for a feed then ate more the next day. I see it as similar to when you get a new job with a later lunch break and feel starving at first until you adjust!

[ScarletBegonia1234]

She's 7 months btw

[m33r]

Thank you both for replying. I came on here in tears because he is refusing milk now (bedtime) and has had 7 oz today since 6am. In 24 hours he has about 27oz.

I’ll try and space the feeds out to every three hours tonight. Yesterday we cut out lunch (more by accident than anything). Which meals would you cut out?

Am honestly going mad with frustration - thanks for replying x

[GeorgeTheHippo]

Poor you. I'd offer food and milk every two hours during the day to get as much in as possible. Waking him if necessary. I suppose it stands to reason he will wake at night if he hasn't had much in the day.

[m33r]

Thanks hippo. He just point blank refuses during the day. It is soul destroying. Maybe if I stretch the nights out he’ll take more. Fingers crossed as I am so frustrated and exhausted!!

[GeorgeTheHippo]

Yes. Stretch the gaps out in the night and move the feeds closer in the day. It might be worth making notes for a week or two, when things are tough it can be hard to see progress.

[m33r]

Thabks hippo. I think Writing it down is a good idea x

[ScarletBegonia1234]

Definitely write down what happens each night. The first 2 nights were terrible but then last night (nigbt3) she went 3h between wake-ups for the first time in all her 7 months!

[ScarletBegonia1234]

Also I try and make sure she's getting the most energy laden foods in the daytime. This link is good...www.madeformums.com/baby/the-best-energy-foods-for-baby-nutrition/15019.html

[Marcine]

Maybe don't feed after 3am so he is hungry for the 7am bottle. Then offer solids an hour after milk so he fills up with milk first e.g. 7am milk, 8am breakfast, 11am milk, 12pm lunch, 3pm milk, tea at 4 or 4.30 and milk at bedtime.

27oz sounds fine though, think they are supposed to have at least 21oz.

[m33r]

Thank you all. The breaking up feeding last night went surprisingly well. He managed around 2.5 hours. He also had a bit more milk today. I couldn’t bring myself to cut out meals as it just ‘felt’ wrong BUT am def doing bottles first. Thank you all very much for your advice. I will update again for future searchers

[Rodent01]

I tend to get a good amount of milk in just after a nap, if that helps. DD2 is 7 months and drinks after both naps, so 7oz at 11ish and 4oz at 3.30ish..... tea at 4.45/5 then hungry for 8oz at bedtime. I then get 2 in porridge and 4 after breakfast, so about 25 a day.

[m33r]

Oh and marcine, i’m going to try no feeding after 3. I tried last night a bit and made it TIL 5.20

[RoryAndLogan]

At 6.5 months is there a reason you're giving purée rather than solid foods?
I found mine cut right down on night feeds as soon as they were on solids.

[Cutesbabasmummy]

Is this just since you've stopped breastfeeding? Does he still look for the breast at all? xx

[m33r]

I wanted to do BLW but I am too worried and anxious so following the Ella’s pathway - not using their stuff just the principles of purée then gradually introducing lumps.

He doesn’t seem to look for breast. He cuddles in to me but I think he’s just cuddling. He definitely doesn’f Look for at night as just takes bottle then off to sleep.

Today he has had the most milk he has ever had (from formula) and the be the least fussed on solids. Last night I managed a 8pm, 11pm, 2am then held him off TIL 5.20 (it was shift but he was never distressed just falling asleep then waking up again). Hoping tonight we can do 7pm, 11pm and maybe 3ish with a view to dripping the 5am carry on in favour of 6 and then losing the 2am OR the 11pm. Obvs happy to night feed if he needs it and no plans to night wean per se just want to get some day time feeding going.

Thanks again for all advice x

[GeorgeTheHippo]

Ah it looks as though you are making progress. Keep at it, you'll get there.

[justanotheruser18]

I was always told 'food for fun before one' or something like that? Try offering milk first then food at meal times. My six monther has just started solids but barely seems to eat any food, just throws it around, and is mainly boobing still.

[Marcine]

I wonder where that phrase came from just? It doesn't seem to be the same approach as the WHO with states solids are important for nutrition and growth between 6-12 months:
"Complementary feeding should be timely, meaning that all infants should start receiving foods in addition to breast milk from 6 months onwards. It should be adequate, meaning that the complementary foods should be given in amounts, frequency, consistency and using a variety of foods to cover the nutritional needs of the growing child while maintaining breastfeeding."
They also recommend solids:
"2-3 times a day between 6-8 months, increasing to 3-4 times daily between 9-11 months and 12-24 months with additional nutritious snacks offered 1-2 times per day"

[Biscuits2or3]

Are you offering water during the day with meals? Or as an alternative to all the milk at night. If they're already on 3 meals a day they usually drop the milk feeds of their own accord.