HELP ? 5mth old feeding like newborn at night

[GiraffesMum]

My 5mth old (22wks) is bf and was sleeping from 6:30pm till around 6am, with around 5/6 feeds in 24hrs (Too good to last!). 5 wks ago, she reduced the times of her feeds from around 20mins to 7mins tops! Until this point her weight gain, etc had been good, now in 4 wks she has only put on 5oz. HV not worried (nor me) as she is happy, alert and v active (doesn?t sit still for a minute!). However, over the last month she has started waking more and more in the night. It started that she would wake once around 4am (manageable), in the last week she has woken at 11pm, 2am and 5am. She is hungry (at first I thought she was teething/being a monkey) and have tried not feeding her. I?ve also tried topping her up with formula but she is not interested and wont take it. Does anyone have any ideas?? I also have a 3 year old so catching up on my sleep during the day is out of the question ? the sleep deprivation is starting to kill me.

it's a growth spurt, she needs milk i'm afraid. It's quite common for 5 month old babys to suddenly start night waking again - keep feeding her and hopefully she will grow out of it soon - you could also try feeding her more frequently in the day if she will have it.

i remember both of mine doing it, and yes it is so utterly exhausting, esp when you have an older one at home. Is there someone who can take the older one out for a bit so you can have some rest in the day? it's a phase and it won't last forever, promise!

No, don't give her formula. She's having a growth spurt or just needs to eat more and eating often stimulates your supply.
Also remember that most babies go through stages, so they can sleep very well for a few months and just as soon you thought it's all settled they go for two or three months of appalling sleeping habits to then start sleeping even better than in the first place.
Sleep deprivation is horrible, I really feel for you.

My DD2 and I think DD1 did this too. I think we're coming out of it now at 22 weeks, but she is still waking at least once - rather than the lovely smug inducing none!
So my advice is to just ride it out, it won't last too much longer.
Or as it's the weekend maybe their Dad or someone can help out and let you have a bit of a rest?
I remember I started introducing solids to DD1 at 17 weeks for this reason, but I know it did nothing to her sleep. We have been giving DD2 a few mouthfuls of mushed banana or veg this week at dinner time. I don't think it will affect her sleeping though.

My DD, who was born the most delightful sleeper, has just started doing the same at 15wks. Much sympathy headed your way. Any ideas most welcome...

Thanks for your thoughts. Going to try giving her more bf in day and see how that goes.

We've just had about 3 weeks of my 5 month old waking up to every 2 hours. Touch wood he has been reducing it to 3 hours and the other night was only up once after a 5 hour sleep.

I have tried quite hard to make sure he is eating well during the day, he doesn't always bother though!

The big sleep did coincide with me getting him to feed for a good while from both sides before bed. I swapped him over as he was almost falling asleep and he stayed on the other side for a bit.

He was too lively last night and didn't fall for it though!

good luck...

Am adding this as I often read the archives when looking for advice!!

Thanks to everyone - you were right!! BF more, DD has gone back down to one feed a night and has put on a pound in 2 weeks - definitely a growth spurt!