Baby feeding awkward times!

[naomihibb]

Hiya everyone,

I am new to bottle feeding as I was breastfeeding my 15 week old, but I have stopped as she was so refluxy and the GP said I needed to see what was going in etc.

Basically, my DD is taking 7.5 ounces at bedtime, around 7/7.30 and then not waking until 4.30/5am (which I am not complaining about by any means), she then wakes for the day around 6.30/7am but because shes had a feed at 4am its a struggle to get her to take a feed and I am trying to establish a little (very loose) routine so it throws that out the window before the day has even begun properly. Does anyone have any advice on how to encourage her to sleep though or whatever? I've dream fed her a few nights, but she still wakes up at 4.

Thank you

Kind of annoyed at your GP telling you to stop! That doesn't seem very thoughtful advice from them. :(

Unfortunately not many fifteen week olds sleep through. One wake up is extremely good going!

I don't know about routine as I didn't feed to a routine, sorry.

Can you not just alter the routine a bit so she doesn't have her feed until she's been awake for a while? It's always easier to work with what your baby does naturally. If she feeds at 4.30, then make the first feed of the morning 8am maybe.

I know, I am gutted that I gave up. I wanted to carry on so much but was just getting no support and dd wasn't gaining weight and I just didn't know what else to do. If I feed her at 8am she then goes 4 hours between feeds, but goes to bed at 7pm (and is absolutely knackered by then) so wouldn't want a feed until 8pm. She's a stubborn little pickle so won't take it at all unless she wants to. I'm not complaining about the night feeds at all - I know how lucky I am!

Set your alarm for 3am and feed her then, then she'll be ready for a feed at 7am.

Can you offer slightly less at each feed so 7pz for a few days then 6oz for a few days then 5oz and so on....

Or offer smaller feeds 3 hourly - so 8am, 11am, 2pm and then a split feed 5pm/bath/bedtime routine/rest at 6.30pm.