Porridge at bed time for 16wk DD

[coffeetofunction]

My 16wk DD has started waking at 5:30. She has been sleeping through in a good routine since about 7wks. I have recently uped her bottles to 8oz feeds, 5 a day. I'm wondering if a spoonful of porridge my help her sleep better? Anyone have experience, advise, opinion? Thanks

5 feeds a day isn't many tbh. At 16 weeks both mine were having at least twice that many feeds daily!

I'd go for an extra milk feed rather than porridge. Could you introduce a dream feed before you go to bed?

Why risk lifelong health for the sake of waiting another 8 weeks. Your baby's health is more important than your desire to get some extra kip.

Both DS1 & DD1 were weened at 4 months at it was practise when they were born & both are good eaters, no food/stomach related health problems.

I'm not sure where I get another feed in. She is in a very good routine with feeds & I'm unsure where or I could squeeze another feed in. Her last feed is at 9pm(ish)...

Sounds like you are going to do it anyway but maybe try the porridge in the day that way you will have an idea how she will react as it may make her wake from having a stomach ache or make her constipated

coffee- nut you don't know if early introduction of solids has had an effect. Some of the health problems associated with early weaning don't manifest until well into adulthood- 40 years old or so. I am assuming that your children are not as old as that.

The advice about introducing solids at 6 months has been around for some time, I waited with my children- how old are your kids?

Nhs say 17 weeks as absolute minimum even for clinically recommended weaning due to reflux etc.

There's a sleep regression at 4 months that has nothing to do with being hungry, just a change in how babies perceive the world.

Please do some reading into the regression and save food for when your baby is ready, when he can sit up, bring food to his mouth and chew.

I'm not sure where I get another feed in

How about at 5.30 when she wakes for it?

16 weeks is growth spurt age. She needs more calories- not stuffing up with porridge so she'll sleep.

I've spoken with a health professional... She suggested baby rice over porridge, however I am going to try hungry baby milk.

Me needing sleep as someone said its just that I'm a lazy mother. I have a child with ADHD & ASD that has sleep issues, baby waking him isn't productive at 5:30 as he can't go back to sleep. Also as he needs extra help & attention, is highly demanding & is busy doing out of school activities I need to ensure I keep healthy- sleep is part of this to be able to meet his needs too!!

If DD2 becomes an early bird once I have tried all the options then so be it but in the mean time I'll try what I can to suit the whole family.

Thanks for the productive advise to those who offered it

If you try the hungry baby be aware it can make them constipated so maybe try it in the last bottle..

Other option if waking the others up... could you prempt it by that I mean if you are up in the night offer a dream feed or set alarm for 5.15 to give a bottle and back to bed

If your 16 week old is sleeping from 9pm to 5.15am I'd thank my lucky stars for such a good sleeper to be honest!

Good luck with everything Bablecakes11. It can be a little hard in our house but its well worth it!!