Now waking at night

As you guys know, Sophie has been happily sleeping through the night but the last 3 nights she's been waking up (don't count the one where I was paranoid about the rash ) about 1.30am and chattering to herself.

I've been offering her a feed, which she happily accepts, as I think she is hungry. She could just be waking without needing a feed but I've not just ignored her to find out.

I'm wondering if she's having a growth spurt (she's almost 4 months now) or is getting ready for weaning even?

Today she fed almost constantly from 3.30pm until 7pm! I even had to rapidly defrost nearly 4oz of frozen breastmilk as she had such a paddy wanting more than I could possibly give her! Even after having that as well, she wanted more and drank happily for another 10 minutes before she's finally gone to sleep at 7.30pm.

I'm shattered!

A few friends from the post-natal group have already started weaning. I started Jas at 14 weeks as she was a hungry baby and I'm beginning to wonder if Sophie is going down that route. She stares at you when you eat something and reaches for everything you have

Any thoughts?

If she is happy when she is waking personally I would leave her- she would let you know if she wanted something more. You could just try rocking the moses basket and ssshhhhing her.

It does sound as if she is a bit more hungry though the day though. Could be a growth spurt or she could be hungry. I would maybe leave it for a day or 2 yet and see if it continues.

Don't be pressured to wean her just because others are weaning their kids, you do it when you are comfortable and you think she needs it. (Joseph was weaned at 9 weeks!!!!)

I agree with every thing Alex suggested.... I wouldn't rush the weaning, you're going to miss it when she stops (I did anyway)....

Ditto to all of the above!

It definitely could be a growth spurt, especially as she is eating som much during the day. I wouldn't feed her at night yet if she is waking and gurgling rather than crying. I would wait and see if she gets herself back off or if she will let you shhhh her back off? Could it be to do with you know expressing for the hospital hun? Has your milk supply increased enough yet for you to keep sophie happy and full but still express for the preemise hun? Could be a combination of sophie needing slightly more milk and you pumping off the extra you have? Keep at it though as the more you use the more you will make and Sophie may just need to feed more for a bit. I would also hold off the weaning until you are sure hun. Apart from anything else, you never get these days back and it is a sham to rush the stages. However if in a couple of days you just can't keep up and you think she is ready then a little baby rice may be an idea? Xx

Thanks ladies. I tried to leave her last night but she ended up shouting for food She definitely was hungry!

I don't express for the hospital until after she's gone to bed and had her fill for the day Then it's just an express a few hours later like another feed would be. I haven't done anything during the day as, obviously, Sophie is my first priority

I agree with what has been said about weaning. I am not pressurised by anyone (too stubborn for that ) but it was interesting to see most had started it around 14+ weeks. I think Sophie isn't ready for that yet and I would rather increase the milk she's having or introduce a little formula if she's extra hungry than put her on solids immediately.

I do think it's a growth spurt. She's also active almost *all* day and rarely naps so she does use a lot of energy up and probably gets hungrier because of that.

She did go from 7.30pm last night through to 3.30am this morning though so a little more 'back to normal' than it had been.

Will keep you guys posted.

It probably is a growth spurt the age matches to it as well, don't even think about weaning she is still too young for solid foods to be safe.

Samuel said:
It probably is a growth spurt the age matches to it as well, don't even think about weaning she is still too young for solid foods to be safe.

It's funny how times have changed Samuel. When I had Jasmine, they said don't wean before 4 months generally but she was a very hungry baby and the HV suggested I start her at 14 weeks, which I did and she's turned out fine. Now they say absolutely not before 17 weeks but really around 6 months. Makes me wonder what the logic in that change of thought really is.

I've been told by a few folk now it's a growth spurt and it certainly seems that way thinking back to how she was when she had a couple already. Tiring but I'm keeping on with the BF and she's doing good. I can express 2oz per boob if I give it an hour after her last feed so that's not too bad. Makes me realise I do have enough!

I certainly won't bend to the pressure of weaning. I'm having far too much enjoyment being able to BF for this long this time and it will be over soon enough anyway.

kristag said:

Samuel said:
It probably is a growth spurt the age matches to it as well, don't even think about weaning she is still too young for solid foods to be safe.

It's funny how times have changed Samuel. When I had Jasmine, they said don't wean before 4 months generally but she was a very hungry baby and the HV suggested I start her at 14 weeks, which I did and she's turned out fine. Now they say absolutely not before 17 weeks but really around 6 months. Makes me wonder what the logic in that change of thought really is.

I've been told by a few folk now it's a growth spurt and it certainly seems that way thinking back to how she was when she had a couple already. Tiring but I'm keeping on with the BF and she's doing good. I can express 2oz per boob if I give it an hour after her last feed so that's not too bad. Makes me realise I do have enough!

I certainly won't bend to the pressure of weaning. I'm having far too much enjoyment being able to BF for this long this time and it will be over soon enough anyway.

Early solids can dramatically damage the bowels permanently, the longer you wait to introduce solids the less chance of bowels problems, it also refuses allergies as well as a baby is designed for nothing but milk so if another substance enters their body the immune system is likely to attack it. Frank can't anything with potato in because his mother chose convenience over health and so his body attacked the food.