7 month sleep

[Ktnich89]

Hi,
I have a 7 month (BF but has the odd bottle)who still doesn't sleep through the night waking around every 3 hours but last night he woke up at 10:30 for a feed then woke every half an hour crying ( thought it was his teeth) I fed him again in case he was still hungry but then he was wide awake at midnight crying thought to myself you can't still be hungry but it was the only thing which calmed him down then he fell asleep eventually on me while feeding and he slept till 6:30 my question is as he fed around 3 times from 11-1am did that fill him up for the night ? Also iv always fed him at night and let him fall to sleep on me while feeding I'm wondering if I shouldn't as he may not be having enough hence the waking often ? I just wanted to see what other people think . Should I encourage longer feeds at night or is it just a one off he slept that long?
Thanks

[FATEdestiny]

Breast feeding at night is likely to be equally about comfort as well as calories.

While you could talk about how much milk was drank, how often, with a formula fed baby. You can't really compare when breastfeeding.

One, some, all of those breastfeeds in the night may have been because baby needed the comfort of the breast. Not hunger.

That doesn't make the breastfeeds any less necessary. Comfort is just as vital and needed as cities at night. In fact comfort is probably more necessary.

You could breastfeed more frequently through the day - to help with both calories and comfort

You could ensure baby eats and drinks plenty of solids and water through the day - to avoid night time hunger and thirst

You could introduce alternate, independant comfort. Like a comfort teddy or blanket (you're probably too late to introduce a dummy). This will help baby learn, in time, to get comfort independantly.

[Ktnich89]

Thanks FATEdestiny he does have a dummy but didn't want that last night think it was comfort feeding which is fine it was just I didn't know what was wrong with him last night. How do I introduce a comforter? Is it safe to do so ? I have been looking at comforters Just felt a bit unsure about them as everyone always warns about things in cots when there little.

[Sunshinegirl82]

My 7 month old is ebf and is a law unto himself! Last night he woke at 10, 12.30 and then 3 (for an hour!!) then slept till 6. Other nights he will wake at 10 and 1 and then go through till 6. I have absolutely no idea what makes the difference! I think teeth definitely play a part and a lot of the feeding is for comfort. I'm trying to just roll with it as much as I can. It is difficult though, when you know the CAN sleep for 5 hours or whatever but then just don't! I'm really hoping he grows out of it!

[Ktnich89]

Sunshinegirl82 same here. It's when you think your in some sort of routine then bam they change there minds lol. His naps are horrendous as well for some reason not sure why. I'm sure we'll get there.