My 4 and a half month old baby wakes up too often at night?

[Tulay]

My baby boy is a breastfed baby and bedtimes at 9:30 10pm, he wakes up at least 5-6 times a night for a feed, I assumed it was his 4month growth spurt however its been three weeks since his been waking up so much, he used to wake up 2-3 times a night what happened?is this a growth spurt or do I need to introduce rice cereal please help?

[tasha]

my son did the same he also 4 1/2 months and i give him cereal now and it seemed to help alot. i have a really big baby though. he is 19 pounds now so it might be different for you. i called my ped about it

[lisajkane]

I think your baby is going to sleep way to late at night. Try and earlier bedtime with a feed about half an hour before hand. Then after the milk has settled try a nice warm bath. You could also use a dummy for comfort and expressing your breast milk and putting it into a bottle. Pick a routine bedtime for your baby through out the day and stick to it, once your baby gets into a routine your life may become easier and you might actually get some sleep.
I would hold off on solids for another month at least, introducing solids early can give babies food allergies.
Good luck.

[Kim R]

I think the rice cereal would be fine to add .but dont mix it in his bottle give it to him with a spoon.He is just a hungry growing boy.If he does well on the rice cereal you can start to introduce veg and fruits.in a few weeks.Start with veg and only one every few days so if he develops an allergy you will know what is causing it.Also no wheat or honey they are highly allergic.i am a pediatric nurse so i deal with this stuff all the time.oh and don't be alarmed when you introduce carrots and sweet potatoes if your baby gets a little orange hue to his skin its normal.I cant tell ya how many moms have called frantic about that one.Good luck with your little boy

[Mumsie to Teddy Bear xxx]

Hi, i know its tough but it maybe that you baby is getting too much sleep during the day or he is hungrier as he is growing, my son was very hungry he was always hanging off my breast! i had to give up breastfeeding.

maybe you should try... keeping the baby as awake during the day as possible and now try to establish a routine, this won't stop the baby waking up but help him find a pattern. for example my son has been in a routine since he was 8 weeks, and at 4 months he would or i would wake up at 6-6.30am, i began weaning him at 4months, 7am 3 teaspoons of baby rice, 11am bottle- sleep until 1pm 1pm- another 3 teaspoons of rice 3pm bottle, 5.30pm 3 teaspoons of rice, 7-7.30pm bath (johnsons bedtime bath works wonders), massage, cuddle and bottle SLEEP! he would then go down until 10.30pm until his last bottle..... then i would gradually add an ounce to his bottle- as you are breastfeed try to express for a brake and give him a bottle. also as this was the last feed i would add 1/2 a rusk. you son will then begin to slowly sleep for longer in night, gradually make him go longer for the last feed so if he isn't waking up for it don't wake him. it is hard work but it has great rewards! lol! a night's sleep for a start. persevere, TRUST ME! maybe you're not too keen on bottle feeding but cow and gate do a good night milk.... one feed before bed... its a thick milk the sleep longer! hope this works, also your son maybe coming of age to teething, invest in some ashton parsons teething powder and nurofen/calpol. works a treat! i hope this helps, i do know how you feel hunny, but things will work out i promise!!! let me know what happens if you decide to try it!! jennie xxxxxx p.s once you have tried the rice for a few weeks and he has learnt to eat from the spoon try introducing lots of flavors!!!! try anabelle karmel's toddler recipes they are fantastic!!!! xxx