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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Would you drop the dream feed in this scenario?

4 replies

TiddlerTiddler · 23/01/2008 22:28

LO is 6 1/2 months old. But is still waking frequently - 11.30ish, 2.30 and 4.50/5am ish. He takes big EB milk feed (6oz) at 7pm and EBM dream feed at 11pm and then BF during the night.

Generally feeds at all wakenings. Although, I have managed to get him back to sleep at 2.30am a few times by rocking/cuddling.

The problem is that he is taking so much at night he is not really taking on milk during the day. have started solids and he has dropped breakfast feed due to 5am feed. Not much stress there as he is taking a bit of baby cereal/sucks on toast now. But kinda dropping 3pm feed also after lunch. BUT still keeping up all nighttime feeds!

Last night, he looked so peaceful I let him sleep through at 12.00 as he didn't wake up and i headed off to bed myself. I had an EBM standing by in case he woke at midnight but he stayed asleep until 2.30am anyway and then just BF then as normal and awake again at 4.40 for another feed.

He does generally wake up around 11pm. So have been giving him 4-6oz. But has anyone come across times when Dreamfeed is actually causing the problem? Should I just let him sleep if he wants rather than feed him a bottle half asleep.

i have been feeding him a 6oz half asleep in the vain hope that he might sleep through as a result. And at least I go to bed knowing he has a full belly and can get a couple of hours sleep before he wakes up again. But am losing faith in this strategy now!

Tonight he is stirring already so guess I will be feeding him at 11pm anyway.

But on nights when he is peaceful, should I let him sleep??? I guess one less feed might actually even make him hungrier during the day, which is what I am trying to achieve.

would welcome any wise thoughts!

OP posts:
moodlumthehoodlum · 23/01/2008 22:36

Its really really hard, and I'm sure others will come on and give better advice, but if I were you I would deffo drop one of the feeds in the night. Personally, I would work on dropping the 2.30am feed, rather than the dream feed (making the dream feed take him through till five).

I know thats much easier said than done, and sorry if that doesn't help. You could always feed him at 12 rather than 11, which might take him through?

TiddlerTiddler · 23/01/2008 22:46

Yes, you make a good point. Which is kinda why i was hanging onto the dream feed. Prefer to feed before going to bed ... but if only he would stop waking up!!!!

My mum is coming over soon for a few nights and i am seriously considering asking her to get up to him at that feed and just cuddling him back to sleep for a few nights to see if she can break it.

its been a bit hit and miss with me and he nuzzles around - i'm sure he can smell milk off me.

DH has done one dreamfeed in 6 months so no chance of getting him up to do the 2.30 run

Feel bad asking mum to do this as its going to tire her out... but am running out of options!

OP posts:
dal21 · 24/01/2008 09:29

Hmmm, I would suggest you read she who must not be named book on weaning. I have read it and think it is superb.If you read that - she advises on how to get the feeds right so that your DC takes optimum feeds during the day. It could be that you have upped solids too quickly during day and they are filling your DC up, so Dc is having to get milk intake at night....HTH

empen · 24/01/2008 13:35

I also recommend 'her who must not be named' if you follow her feeding routine she insists on waking them at 7am for a feed regardless of what has gone on before. In order to get all the necessary food into a day.
I always thought (correct me if I am wrong) that it was unusual for a BF baby to go through the night. I BF my DS during the day and then give him a formula bottle at 11pm and he sleeps til 7am.
Her book fully details what should be given and when but it is all dependant on that 7am feed.
Feed times should be 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm, 11pm. With food being introduced at the lunchtime feed.

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