Change in night feeds and irritable more often! - nearly 6mth old

[cmm]

My little one seems to be waking up more often in the night and finding it more difficult to settle when she goes off to sleep and after the night feeds. She is also waking earlier (previously 6ish, now 4/5 a.m.) and more difficult to get her to go back to sleep. She is also a little more irritable during the day at times. As she is nearly 6mths (a week tomorrow) I have given a little baby rice for the last couple of days (at lunch time ish). She has, until this time, been exclusively BF. I'm a first time mum and wondered what you experienced mums thought - it is usual for them to get a bit more irritable at this time (eg ready for weaning,teething) also is it too young for this thing they call 'separation anxiety' - or is it simply just another phase! We absolutely love her to bits but we are finding the nights very hard! (she has never slept well though!). Thanks for your stories in advance!

Our ds is nearly 8 months now and finally sleeps through - although I still keep my fingers crossed!

At six months we re-introduced the dream feed, which he increasingly declined. As time went on, if he did wake we offered diluted formula (no way was he falling for water) and he soon stopped bothering. He was already established on three meals a day before he really slept through. You could try introducing a solid feed nearer bedtime. Is she's digesting rice ok you could stick with that and maybe introduce something else at lunchtime.

Good luck!