Updated - 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

DS just turned 6 months. He's still waking up 2-4 times a night. Last night he was up at 11:30PM (DH went in), 12:45AM (nursed), 4ishAM (nursed) and up for the day at 6:10AM (cooing, smiling, happy). I am a zombie today. This is every day though, it's just that it's catching up to me.

He STTN 2 nights in a row (well, up at 4:45AM, nursed and right back to sleep until 7:30) last week and I was so happy but it was a fluke.

I don't know what to do. I'm worried he's hungry. He's EBF. My mom keeps telling me to give him formula at night. I worry I guess bc he only nurses for 6 minutes TOTAL now, he used to nurse longer. He still eats every 2-2.5 hours. (started cereal last week)He does/did know what he was doing though be he was 18lbs at 4 months, 18lbs 11oz at 5 months. Didn't gain as much this last month but ped is not worried bc he's still 90th %ile. He's long too, 28+inches.

I'm so tempted to CIO. I did it for naps and it worked really well. But what if he's hungry? And how do I do it? Do I go in so he knows that I know he's up but then just tell him it's time to sleep and walk out? Or do I just not go it at all when he wakes/cries? I think he truly gets hungry sometime around 3:30-4:30 and would be ok with that wake up but the other ones are killing me. DH is up for work at 5:40am so I've been the one going in. And i nurse him bc I'm a zombie and i just want him to fall asleep again fast.

DS1 sttn at 4 months (and was FF). I'm not used to this. Help.

My Update:
Decided against CIO for now. Just couldn't do it since I think he may be hungry (which is crazy since I have a plentiful supply).

DH got up with him last night and DS was inconsolable. Kept crying and crying. I was so sleepy DH had to wake me which is rare. I nursed him, what else could I do. DH said he woke at 11, 12, and 1. I nursed him at 1 and he slept until 5AM. Nursed him and he fell asleep again until 6. DH brought him down but didn't feed him (didn't seem hungry). Napped again 7:30am-9:20 (still hasn't eaten since 5am). He never naps that long! I pumped and bottle fed him. He only took 4 oz.

I work on Fridays (pump at work) so he gets about 3 bottles of BM anyway. Decided to only bottle feed today (except before bedtime)to see how much BM he drinks. Am also upping his cereal today from 2xday to 3 (adding "lunch"). Will see if this makes a difference in his napping and especially night time waking.

Message edited 2/28/2014 12:12:42 PM.

Re: 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

Do you work? If so baby could be reverse cycling. My DD does this and at almost 8 months is up every 2 hours on a good night. Weaning night feedings for BF babies isn't recommended for at least 1 year. Obv I have no advice but I can sympathize!

Re: 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

My assumption is he needs more calories during the day, and I don't think formula will cut it. I'd increase his solids during the day and start fruits/veggies.

6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

I can also sympathize because DS didn't STTN till he was about 10 months old. He was breasted and I gave formula because I wasn't producing enough. He was just a hungry baby. Hope your LO starts sleeping soon!

Re: 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

How does he fall asleep at night? Do you put him in the crib awake or already asleep? For us, DD stopped waking during the night once we made her CIO at bedtime, to fall asleep. I know it's not easy. Good luck!

6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

Cereal plus bottle before bed? Maybe that will hold him over.

Re: 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

If you are concerned about DC being hungry, I would maybe give solids closer to bed or increase them. It could be that he is hungry, but that seems an awful lot of overnight nursing. He might be crying just for comfort.
DD is 6 months and EBF. She has been STTN for over a month. Personally, I wouldn't do CIO unless you are ready to stop all overnight feedings.

Re: 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

Decided against CIO for now. Just couldn't do it since I think he may be hungry (which is crazy since I have a plentiful supply).

DH got up with him last night and DS was inconsolable. Kept crying and crying. I was so sleepy DH had to wake me which is rare. I nursed him, what else could I do. DH said he woke at 11, 12, and 1. I nursed him at 1 and he slept until 5AM. Nursed him and he fell asleep again until 6. DH brought him down but didn't feed him (didn't seem hungry). Napped again 7:30am-9:20 (still hasn't eaten since 5am). He never naps that long! I pumped and bottle fed him. He only took 4 oz.

I work on Fridays (pump at work) so he gets about 3 bottles of BM anyway. Decided to only bottle feed today (except before bedtime)to see how much BM he drinks. Am also upping his cereal today from 2xday to 3 (adding "lunch"). Will see if this makes a difference in his napping and especially night time waking.

Re: Updated - 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

DS1 didn't STTN until 7 months. At 6 months, he finally dropped down to waking once per night. I always gave in and nursed. DS2 started STTN at 10 weeks. All babies are different. Try feeding him more often during the day or doing a dream feed right before you go to sleep.

Re: Updated - 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

I still have an almost year old still doing this!!

Re: Updated - 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

my almost 8 month old is still waking up at night also. it's getting better, but around 6 mo it was the same as you describe - so painful. my ped recommended going up to three meals a day and even adding good fats like olive oil to his purees to increase calories. once i started increasing his solids during the day, there was definitely an improvement. good luck!

Re: Updated - 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

DS didn't sleep through the night until 8 months. No advice, but you're not alone

Updated - 6 month old still waking up at night (2-3 times)

My dd is 18mos and wakes at 1130-1230ish. And again 430-530am ish. However when she was younger she used to sleep though the night!