Help! How long does the 4 month growth spurt last? I need sleep!

[sazzybee]

My DS has been sleeping 10, sometimes 12 hours a night since he was about 12 weeks (yes I know I'm very lucky). But he's 18 weeks today and since last week has been starving all day (I'm breastfeeding on demand) and all night so I'm assuming he's having the famed 4 month growth spurt. Days are fine (apart from slightly sore nips but I can cope with that) but the nights are killing me. He only goes 2 1/2 - 3 hours at a time between feeds and is absolutely ravenous at each one.

How long is this going to last?! I got really excited as he went about 6 hours night before last so thought we were getting back on track but last night we were back to every 2-3 hours.

Will he just get gradually back to him old pattern? If I up the feeds during the day (currently feeding every couple of hours) will he go longer at night? Please tell me there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

I have no idea at all! My dd is also 18 weeks. She has been a crap sleeper from birth, and has somehow got even worse over the last week. Just wanted you to know that you are not alone .

I'm sure someone wise will be along in a minute!

Anyone?

No idea Sazzy but ds3 was like that for a week or two but seems to have settled again.

Sassybee - ime the growth spurts lasted weeks not days but my DD is "High need" in may ways . If he has slept well in the past he will get back to it but it may just be that until he is 6m and weaned (on 3 meals etc) that he won't go back to the all nighters. Please don't panic if he slows on his wieght gain, many bf babies do the same at this point but they pick up again.

HV told me to wean early but I ignored it and rode out the night wakings and she is now fine, we turned the corner at about 7.5 months if I remember rightly.

In my experience it lasts a week or two. Both our DS2 and DS3 showed all the signs of needing to be weaned at 4 months but I'm glad we held off until 5 months because they were fine once they got over the growth spurt by 4.5-5 months. I think more should be made of this growth spurt rather than the 10 days and 3 months (is that right?) ones as I am sure many people cave in and start weaning due to this.

When I had DS1 (nearly 6 years ago) I was encouraged to wean early (as was everyone 'in those days') so I don't remember it as well.

I am sure this is why babies were traditionally weaned at 4m. Myy DD woke more to play/be cuddled as much as wanting more milk.

Interesting and very useful- thank you all. Bit disappointing that it's going to be weeks rather than days and slightly buggers up my plans (this is the real reason - I'm a single mum and was going to ask my mum to babysit again but I can't if he's up twice a night )

I will ride it out - certainly not intending to wean. Apart from anything else, he has shown no interest whatsoever in food.

Crayon - you're right - this one is much more extreme than the earlier ones. Or maybe it's because we're in a much better routine now so I notice it more. They should definitely tell you about it - it seems really common but it's only because a friend with slightly older babies told me about it that I didn't panic at the start.

And I'll try and stay calm if his weight gain falls off a little - it's been rising exponentially and he's a right little porker so a couple of ounces won't hurt.

Sazzybee,

how often do you BF during the day? the baby whisperer advises that you should feed every 4 hours from 4 months, as they can hold more in their tummies, rather than every 3 hours for under 4 months. This way they get big feeds and maybe won't need so much at night?

it may also be worth feeding him at 10-11pm before you go to bed rather than him waking you in the night?

Agree that a dream feed at 10 - 11 pm ish might be a good idea