5mo wakes every 2hrs :-(

[sleepdodger]

Hi all
I've not been around a while but I need your suggestions
my 5mo ds has never been a great sleeper, but things aren't improving and having made a few changes would appreciate your suggestions for ways to break the cycle before I go back to work when I will seriously need more sleep.
Bit of background-
He's on 50th centile and about 18lb, was ebf to 4mth then introduced evening formula bottle & baby rice morning & evening

we've been away a week so routine went a bit arwy but snapped straight back to it this week, 630 feed (bf) then bit of purée, bath 715, out & bottle (offer 7oz will only take 5.5) in cot (moved into own room this week no probs) asleep by 830

prob is he's then awake about 45 mins later screaming and only boob will do, 15 min feed and then usually asleep till 12
BUT then awake every 2 ish hrs demanding food, shhing won't work and guzzles for 15 mins only then sleep again

I'm in 2 minds, 1 he's awake and hungry so feed him, or 2 this is just habit so how the he'll do I break it?

Nb before jabs2 he slept 4/3/3, and currently is weaning should either of those facts be needed
mentioned to hv who was useless!!

[Emsmaman]

Hi,

It sound to me like you have the same problem as we do: a sleep association with feeding. Babies sleep in cycles like adults, we wake during the night but mostly fall asleep again very quickly, whereas they don't always manage to settle themselves so look for props like the boob or rocking to get back to sleep. Currently my LO wakes after 1 hour, then every 2-3 hours after that. I'm trying to make sure I take LO off the boob before she falls asleep so she still needs to settle herself in the cot (last night we had a 5 hour stretch - I heard her wake up twice during that time and she fell back asleep on her own). Also have introduced a blankie and hoping that will self soothe, so far it has helped me get her in the cot for daytime naps but no difference at night, hoping that will follow. You can try switching the order of the nighttime routine - bottle then bath then cot - works for some but not my LO, she would never fall asleep! We don't use a dummy but it you do you could try putting that in at the night wakings instead of a feed. Also try reading the No Cry Sleep Solution - gentle and realistic advice. Good luck!

[NoWuckingFurries]

I'm so sorry you're having a tough time. Can I ask what your DS' day time sleep and feeding is like?

My DS (almost 5 months) went from sleeping 8 til 4 to waking every 2/3 hours to feed at about 15 weeks. He was bf and feeding every 2 hours in the day, as well as at every waking at night! I also introduced formula (SMA staydown - mid-morning and bedtime) as he was always a sicky baby but it seemed to get worse at the same time as his sleeping deteriorated and he seemed to be throwing up a lot of his feeds. Once I got more food into him (that stayed in his tummy!) his sleep improved. He even takes a 2 hour lunch nap now and so do I !!

Don't know if this sounds anything like your DS but I wanted you to know that you are not alone, as I was on my knees with all the night wakings and thought I was going to lose my mind. But remember, this too shall pass

[NoWuckingFurries]

Oops, meant to say that my DS was genuinely hungry at night so I fed him but the reason why his was hungry was that he wasn't getting enough calories in the day.

[sleepdodger]

thanks both, another tough day today, not helped by seeing (lovely) friend and her 7wo textbook baby who is doing so well theyre 'ttc again from october' just made me feel so ropey for not being able to handle 1!!
I think youre defo rght on the assosciation with food, and I wonder a bit if this is confused due to weaning too...
I will use your mantra itwill pass :-)