How do I get my 5 week old baby to sleep longer than 2 hours without feeding?
I am breastfeeding my baby and at night she seems to wake every 2 hours for a feed but does not seem to drink much. During the day when she is awake, she is constantly crying for feeding and I have to feed her every hour, again she doesn't seem to feed longer that 10 mins. I have tried formulas but she seems really cranky as I don't think she drinks as much (max 60 ml at a time) because she doesn't like the taste. She now weighs 4kg and has gained a lot of weight so is healthy and definately gettting enough. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Answers:
I know how you feel. My son is 15 months old now, but he was exactly the same as your little one. He would wake up every couple of hours (sometimes every hour) for a feed. I also breastfed and he wouldn't take formula either. I spoke to my health visitor and my doctor about it. But unfortunately, that's just your baby's routine. All babies have different routines. My mum said that my older sister was the classic every 4 hours baby, but that I was every 2 hours. As long as your little one is happy and healthy and putting on weight, you've got nothing to worry about. It will mean sleepless nights for a few months (I was like the walking dead), but she will grow out of it.
Maybe your baby is thirsty. Try some cooled boiled water. All the best xx
This is quite normal. Young babies like little and often. that means through the day and night. See your health visitor if you are still worried.
My son was born big. Breast feeding and formula just were not enough. I had to give him small amounts of cereal in his bottle or on a spoon. This made his belly more full so then he slept much better.
your baby's tummy is very small and she will not eat much. waking up several hours is normal. it will pass!
It might be that she needs a breather, then you take the food away because you think she's finished and so she goes to sleep, quickly waking up hungry because she wasn't finished before. My daughter used to take 1-2 hours to feed (on 6-7 feeds per day)when she was tiny because she kept on stopping every couple of minutes, then having a little more. Try just giving her a little 5 min break after a 10 min feed and then see if she wants some more straight away.
Each baby is different.
You may have many more weeks of nights like these.
Babies choose when they sleep.
Make her wait longer and longer each time time. Even if just 5 minutes each time it'll all add up. Or you could try cooled boiled water. Good luck babe.xxx
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN. THAT IS A TYPICAL SLEEPING AND FEDDING PATTERN FOR BABIES THAT AGE.
its normal. ur health visitor will tell u this. but they do grow out of this phase.
BUT PLEASE DONT PUT CEREAL OR ANYTHING IN THE BOTTLE OF MILK TO THICKEN IT TO MAKE THE BABY LESS HUNGRY... AT THIS STAGE .. YOUR BABY IS FAR TOO YOUNG AND YOU WILL DESTROY ITS DIGESTIVE SYSTEM..
sorry but had to make that point clear. the thickening of the bottle is only for older babys i.e. 6months up, who are still not satisfied and need extra sustenance.
good luck and hang in there. xx
Try to stretch out her feeds with a little cool boiled water. The water will stave off her hunger but she'll be ready for a good feed later on.
(This doesn't last forever!)
Well for one, you have to be patient and realize right now life is about baby not you. If she is getting up every two hours that is normal for a 5 week old baby. As far as feeding, I'm thinking she is breast fed? It is possible that she is not latching on properly and therefore is not getting enough to eat. Also the first ten minutes on each side she gets the most out. I would suggest for you to call your local LaLeche League and they can help you ALOT. They will even send someone to make sure you are getting your daughter to latch on right. Really cool people. If she is crying alot, it could be she has some colic where her stomach knots up and cramps. Real gassy and it hurts her. Rub her tummy gently or walk her around rocking her at the same time. Also she would like to be wrapped up in a blanket, called cottalling. Actually there is another name but I can't think of it. What you do is take a recieving blanket or one a little bigger. Put her in the middle with the corner at her feet and head. Put the bottom corner up, and take a side and wrap her, put it behind her. then you take the other side and do the same and make sure it is real snug. They like that because when she was in your tummy she did not have alot of room. So they like to be bound up. After she grows for a while you wont have to do that anymore. It will make her secure. And face it Babe, if she is whinie then sit and rock her and talk to her. tell her you love her and she is beautiful. Its called bonding. Without that in the first three years, she would become detatched with her feelings from you or anyone else. Right now life is about her, how you handle her, feed her, and love her. Be patient, take time, and so what if the house doesnt get cleaned that day. She is the most precious jewel in your life right now. Enjoy every minute! They grow so fast and then they are gone. You never know when they could leave this earth. Cherish every moment.
I have 3 children and 9 grandchildren, 7 of which are boys. My new granddaughter is 3 months and sooo beautiful. I hope I helped. kim
i know its hard work maybe she isn't getting enough from your breast. i know you tried the formula well keep trying the formula and see how yuo get on, would you try and give her water as well during feeds and does she have a soother if she does then keep putting it into her mouth when she cries at night and she will get the message that your not going to feed her i know it's cruel but it will work
60ml of formula for a 5 month old is a decent feed, try giving your baby water, she may be thirsty not hungry. try ruling out that she is hungry all the time during the day, there may be something else making her cry, something bothering her so much she cant feed.
whisky
well the baby cannot tell the difference bettween day and night, and she is very young but she will sleep for longer at night you will find soon, don,t worry about, one night maybe its a good idea to give her less milk let her cry a bit, or even a bit of water and she will feed more in the day, just to tip the balance. although the first time you do it it will be a difficult night. all little babies are up alot but they soon sleep longer at night. good luck you are doing a great job.
Persevere with the bottle feeding. It will be well worth it for your health and and she will thrive. She has had the necessary vitamins etc. from you for 5 weeks.
My first born feed every half hour for the first two weeks, even through the night, because he seemed to fall asleep at the breast I thought he'd done and took him off, that turned out to be my problem. Once I realised what I was doing wrong I left him on, even though he seemed asleep and he feed for forty minutes at a time. At bed time I'd strip him off and wake him right up for a good long feed and he settled for four hours. Worth a try. It worked with my second, but my third liked little and often and there was just no changing her. Also bear in mind that every two weeks or so, babies up there food intake and it can seem like they feed constantly for about 48 hours until your milk flow catches up. Bear with it things always settle into a routine given time and support. Trying hand expressing and letting someone else take a couple of feed if possible as well. Don't forget to take some ME time between those feeds, you deserve it!
You must be feeling exhausted! Poor you!
Firstly tho, this IS normal!
But, you could do something about it, as at 5 weeks, you could/should be getting more sleep at night by now!
Well done for keeping going with the breast feeding too!
Breast fed babies do normally feed more often as it is not as filling as bottle milk. However, you cant live like this!
Have you tried encouraging baby to go longer between feeds during the day? A walk, sing or play can distract the baby for a while - 20 mins-30 mins a time.
My aim would be to try to get at least 3 hours between daytime feeds, this way, baby would be more hungry, would take more and then would be full for longer, thus increasing the time between feeds.
Babies can get into the habit of 'snacking' and if they do this, and they know it is available, there is no need to go longer between feeds. If they are snacking, rather than having a full feed, they are not getting all the thick, full of goodness hind milk that comes after the thirst quenching fore milk.
If you think of it like this, it makes sense and you will be more happy about increasing time between feeds.
Give it a go during the day and night time should improve too.
Your Health Visitor can help, or try NCT..
Good luck and enjoy thid time with your baby as it will fly by!!
Swaddle your baby at night in a blanket.Wrap her up with her arms by her sides(i know it sounds cruel,but trust me it isnt!)and her feet covered,and she will sleep feeling secure.I used this method with both of my babies,and family used to laugh at me,but both my babies slept right through the night.I also used to place a teddy bear in the cot with them so that they could feel it against them,and they fall to sleep thinking you're touching them.If your baby wakes for a feed in the night,keep the lights low,and just feed her,with no conversation,and then just place her back to bed without speaking.She will then learn that it is still bed time.I really hope this helps you.As others have said,so what if the hoovering doesn't get done the next day-if she sleeps,you sleep.I wish you love and luck xxx
Definitely swaddling should help as she is out of a very cosy space in a very big, unfamiliar space. It will not solve the whole issue but really - nothing will. She may wake up because she needs you - give her whatever she needs - your touch , breast, talk to her slowly, hold her.
Babies so young are very very delicate and need to feel warmth of another human because she is not capable of dealing with what is happening. There is a lot you need to take in, I know. You will be so so so rewarded later. She is doing well so good on you and keep doing what you are doing.
PS - sleep when she sleeps forget house work etc!
Little and often is how they like it when you breastfeed. The best thing you can do is stick with it..eventually she will sleep longer but right now she needs her nighttime feeds!
She needs definitely more then she have every time. Don't take food away immediately if she sleeps. I understand you very well, but babes are different, you have to overcome this. It will pass soon. You have a daughter. You are happy. May God bless you!!
well for a start i think you have a perfectly normal 5 week old baby! and from my experience milk does not come in supply and demand till 6 weeks!
I know it's exhausting but that's what having a new baby is about!
I think 60mls is quite a lot!
I really think you should stop trying to hurry her along, it's called demand feeding! and it is demanding! don't listen to those people who came out of hospital with their babies sleeping through the night! Get with the real world, where babies are hard work!
now I suggest, you try and eat as well as you can! I suggest you make yourself rest when the babies asleep! try and just keep the formula for emergencies or to the minimum! she may have wind, so from next week you could try gripe water! i suggest, trying to wind her for longer! have you tried a dummy?
How about a bottle with cooled boiled water?
Try massaging her to relax her!
Good luck !
A drop of whiskey in the bed time milk!
Everyone has been giving you advice for your baby and I agree with most of them so I'm not going to add to that. You must not forget about yourself in all this.
If you don't have other kids or anyone interupting you during the day, let your baby decide when both of you sleep. If your baby wants to wake up every two hours, then you make sure you get as many 2 hour naps as you can (try to get at least 7 or 8 hours in every 24 hours). I know this might not sound easy but you need your rest to be able to care for your baby.
I heard that my grandmother who was a midwife over 70 years ago gave this advice to new mothers and I decided to try it. My son was like your baby only for the first 3 weeks, then went for monts sleeping 4 hours, staying awake 4 hours. I always got up with him and usually got one 4 hour nap during the night and another one during the day. He decided when he wanted his feeding and when to sleep and it worked out perfectly for us. I know it won't work if you two are not alone in the house during the day.
Good luck to you.
With difficulty unfortunately! It's quite normal at this age to wake frequently to feed, and there's not really anything you can do about it I'm afraid. If it's any comfort though, she will settle down and sleep for longer after a couple of months - it's just that her tummy's not big enough to hold that much for now.
If you don't mind giving her one formula feed, then I found sometimes it helps them to sleep a little longer - just be aware that if you introduce too many formula feeds your milk supply will start to reduce (as it works on a supply & demand basis), so your baby will then need to feed more often to build it back up again.
My health visitor reckons that one formula feed a day won't really affect your milk supply, so this should be ok.
Hope this helps!
Your baby just know, what she need. So try to accept this as a fact. It will become better soon. Important is, that she is healthy. justOne
Run the vacuum. The noise comforts kids and they sleep. You could also try putting her in her carseat and putting her on the dryer. When you dry your wash, the vibrations comfort her and she sleeps!
Hi, Mummy,
Obviously I don't know where you live, but if you live somewhere where you could get your baby to a craniosacral therapist or a cranial osteopath then I'm sure that would help.
I'm a craniosacral therapist myself, among other things, and have treated lots of babies, so I know how helpful this work can be.
I do wish you good luck and all joy with your baby.
Jon C
my son is nearly 3 all he eats is pringles, chip,nuggets,and noodles,chocolate?
piercing an infants ear?
My 17 month very lively baby?
i wos tryin to raise a mowglie like son, but billy hasnt come out his kennel for weeks, shall i tell the mrs?
What are periods usually like after coming off the Pill?
i am 11 weeks pregnent and i keep bleeding as anyone had the same?
i have tripplets in my tummy rightnow?
Egg Donation?
Answers:
I know how you feel. My son is 15 months old now, but he was exactly the same as your little one. He would wake up every couple of hours (sometimes every hour) for a feed. I also breastfed and he wouldn't take formula either. I spoke to my health visitor and my doctor about it. But unfortunately, that's just your baby's routine. All babies have different routines. My mum said that my older sister was the classic every 4 hours baby, but that I was every 2 hours. As long as your little one is happy and healthy and putting on weight, you've got nothing to worry about. It will mean sleepless nights for a few months (I was like the walking dead), but she will grow out of it.
Maybe your baby is thirsty. Try some cooled boiled water. All the best xx
This is quite normal. Young babies like little and often. that means through the day and night. See your health visitor if you are still worried.
My son was born big. Breast feeding and formula just were not enough. I had to give him small amounts of cereal in his bottle or on a spoon. This made his belly more full so then he slept much better.
your baby's tummy is very small and she will not eat much. waking up several hours is normal. it will pass!
It might be that she needs a breather, then you take the food away because you think she's finished and so she goes to sleep, quickly waking up hungry because she wasn't finished before. My daughter used to take 1-2 hours to feed (on 6-7 feeds per day)when she was tiny because she kept on stopping every couple of minutes, then having a little more. Try just giving her a little 5 min break after a 10 min feed and then see if she wants some more straight away.
Each baby is different.
You may have many more weeks of nights like these.
Babies choose when they sleep.
Make her wait longer and longer each time time. Even if just 5 minutes each time it'll all add up. Or you could try cooled boiled water. Good luck babe.xxx
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN. THAT IS A TYPICAL SLEEPING AND FEDDING PATTERN FOR BABIES THAT AGE.
its normal. ur health visitor will tell u this. but they do grow out of this phase.
BUT PLEASE DONT PUT CEREAL OR ANYTHING IN THE BOTTLE OF MILK TO THICKEN IT TO MAKE THE BABY LESS HUNGRY... AT THIS STAGE .. YOUR BABY IS FAR TOO YOUNG AND YOU WILL DESTROY ITS DIGESTIVE SYSTEM..
sorry but had to make that point clear. the thickening of the bottle is only for older babys i.e. 6months up, who are still not satisfied and need extra sustenance.
good luck and hang in there. xx
Try to stretch out her feeds with a little cool boiled water. The water will stave off her hunger but she'll be ready for a good feed later on.
(This doesn't last forever!)
Well for one, you have to be patient and realize right now life is about baby not you. If she is getting up every two hours that is normal for a 5 week old baby. As far as feeding, I'm thinking she is breast fed? It is possible that she is not latching on properly and therefore is not getting enough to eat. Also the first ten minutes on each side she gets the most out. I would suggest for you to call your local LaLeche League and they can help you ALOT. They will even send someone to make sure you are getting your daughter to latch on right. Really cool people. If she is crying alot, it could be she has some colic where her stomach knots up and cramps. Real gassy and it hurts her. Rub her tummy gently or walk her around rocking her at the same time. Also she would like to be wrapped up in a blanket, called cottalling. Actually there is another name but I can't think of it. What you do is take a recieving blanket or one a little bigger. Put her in the middle with the corner at her feet and head. Put the bottom corner up, and take a side and wrap her, put it behind her. then you take the other side and do the same and make sure it is real snug. They like that because when she was in your tummy she did not have alot of room. So they like to be bound up. After she grows for a while you wont have to do that anymore. It will make her secure. And face it Babe, if she is whinie then sit and rock her and talk to her. tell her you love her and she is beautiful. Its called bonding. Without that in the first three years, she would become detatched with her feelings from you or anyone else. Right now life is about her, how you handle her, feed her, and love her. Be patient, take time, and so what if the house doesnt get cleaned that day. She is the most precious jewel in your life right now. Enjoy every minute! They grow so fast and then they are gone. You never know when they could leave this earth. Cherish every moment.
I have 3 children and 9 grandchildren, 7 of which are boys. My new granddaughter is 3 months and sooo beautiful. I hope I helped. kim
i know its hard work maybe she isn't getting enough from your breast. i know you tried the formula well keep trying the formula and see how yuo get on, would you try and give her water as well during feeds and does she have a soother if she does then keep putting it into her mouth when she cries at night and she will get the message that your not going to feed her i know it's cruel but it will work
60ml of formula for a 5 month old is a decent feed, try giving your baby water, she may be thirsty not hungry. try ruling out that she is hungry all the time during the day, there may be something else making her cry, something bothering her so much she cant feed.
whisky
well the baby cannot tell the difference bettween day and night, and she is very young but she will sleep for longer at night you will find soon, don,t worry about, one night maybe its a good idea to give her less milk let her cry a bit, or even a bit of water and she will feed more in the day, just to tip the balance. although the first time you do it it will be a difficult night. all little babies are up alot but they soon sleep longer at night. good luck you are doing a great job.
Persevere with the bottle feeding. It will be well worth it for your health and and she will thrive. She has had the necessary vitamins etc. from you for 5 weeks.
My first born feed every half hour for the first two weeks, even through the night, because he seemed to fall asleep at the breast I thought he'd done and took him off, that turned out to be my problem. Once I realised what I was doing wrong I left him on, even though he seemed asleep and he feed for forty minutes at a time. At bed time I'd strip him off and wake him right up for a good long feed and he settled for four hours. Worth a try. It worked with my second, but my third liked little and often and there was just no changing her. Also bear in mind that every two weeks or so, babies up there food intake and it can seem like they feed constantly for about 48 hours until your milk flow catches up. Bear with it things always settle into a routine given time and support. Trying hand expressing and letting someone else take a couple of feed if possible as well. Don't forget to take some ME time between those feeds, you deserve it!
You must be feeling exhausted! Poor you!
Firstly tho, this IS normal!
But, you could do something about it, as at 5 weeks, you could/should be getting more sleep at night by now!
Well done for keeping going with the breast feeding too!
Breast fed babies do normally feed more often as it is not as filling as bottle milk. However, you cant live like this!
Have you tried encouraging baby to go longer between feeds during the day? A walk, sing or play can distract the baby for a while - 20 mins-30 mins a time.
My aim would be to try to get at least 3 hours between daytime feeds, this way, baby would be more hungry, would take more and then would be full for longer, thus increasing the time between feeds.
Babies can get into the habit of 'snacking' and if they do this, and they know it is available, there is no need to go longer between feeds. If they are snacking, rather than having a full feed, they are not getting all the thick, full of goodness hind milk that comes after the thirst quenching fore milk.
If you think of it like this, it makes sense and you will be more happy about increasing time between feeds.
Give it a go during the day and night time should improve too.
Your Health Visitor can help, or try NCT..
Good luck and enjoy thid time with your baby as it will fly by!!
Swaddle your baby at night in a blanket.Wrap her up with her arms by her sides(i know it sounds cruel,but trust me it isnt!)and her feet covered,and she will sleep feeling secure.I used this method with both of my babies,and family used to laugh at me,but both my babies slept right through the night.I also used to place a teddy bear in the cot with them so that they could feel it against them,and they fall to sleep thinking you're touching them.If your baby wakes for a feed in the night,keep the lights low,and just feed her,with no conversation,and then just place her back to bed without speaking.She will then learn that it is still bed time.I really hope this helps you.As others have said,so what if the hoovering doesn't get done the next day-if she sleeps,you sleep.I wish you love and luck xxx
Definitely swaddling should help as she is out of a very cosy space in a very big, unfamiliar space. It will not solve the whole issue but really - nothing will. She may wake up because she needs you - give her whatever she needs - your touch , breast, talk to her slowly, hold her.
Babies so young are very very delicate and need to feel warmth of another human because she is not capable of dealing with what is happening. There is a lot you need to take in, I know. You will be so so so rewarded later. She is doing well so good on you and keep doing what you are doing.
PS - sleep when she sleeps forget house work etc!
Little and often is how they like it when you breastfeed. The best thing you can do is stick with it..eventually she will sleep longer but right now she needs her nighttime feeds!
She needs definitely more then she have every time. Don't take food away immediately if she sleeps. I understand you very well, but babes are different, you have to overcome this. It will pass soon. You have a daughter. You are happy. May God bless you!!
well for a start i think you have a perfectly normal 5 week old baby! and from my experience milk does not come in supply and demand till 6 weeks!
I know it's exhausting but that's what having a new baby is about!
I think 60mls is quite a lot!
I really think you should stop trying to hurry her along, it's called demand feeding! and it is demanding! don't listen to those people who came out of hospital with their babies sleeping through the night! Get with the real world, where babies are hard work!
now I suggest, you try and eat as well as you can! I suggest you make yourself rest when the babies asleep! try and just keep the formula for emergencies or to the minimum! she may have wind, so from next week you could try gripe water! i suggest, trying to wind her for longer! have you tried a dummy?
How about a bottle with cooled boiled water?
Try massaging her to relax her!
Good luck !
A drop of whiskey in the bed time milk!
Everyone has been giving you advice for your baby and I agree with most of them so I'm not going to add to that. You must not forget about yourself in all this.
If you don't have other kids or anyone interupting you during the day, let your baby decide when both of you sleep. If your baby wants to wake up every two hours, then you make sure you get as many 2 hour naps as you can (try to get at least 7 or 8 hours in every 24 hours). I know this might not sound easy but you need your rest to be able to care for your baby.
I heard that my grandmother who was a midwife over 70 years ago gave this advice to new mothers and I decided to try it. My son was like your baby only for the first 3 weeks, then went for monts sleeping 4 hours, staying awake 4 hours. I always got up with him and usually got one 4 hour nap during the night and another one during the day. He decided when he wanted his feeding and when to sleep and it worked out perfectly for us. I know it won't work if you two are not alone in the house during the day.
Good luck to you.
With difficulty unfortunately! It's quite normal at this age to wake frequently to feed, and there's not really anything you can do about it I'm afraid. If it's any comfort though, she will settle down and sleep for longer after a couple of months - it's just that her tummy's not big enough to hold that much for now.
If you don't mind giving her one formula feed, then I found sometimes it helps them to sleep a little longer - just be aware that if you introduce too many formula feeds your milk supply will start to reduce (as it works on a supply & demand basis), so your baby will then need to feed more often to build it back up again.
My health visitor reckons that one formula feed a day won't really affect your milk supply, so this should be ok.
Hope this helps!
Your baby just know, what she need. So try to accept this as a fact. It will become better soon. Important is, that she is healthy. justOne
Run the vacuum. The noise comforts kids and they sleep. You could also try putting her in her carseat and putting her on the dryer. When you dry your wash, the vibrations comfort her and she sleeps!
Hi, Mummy,
Obviously I don't know where you live, but if you live somewhere where you could get your baby to a craniosacral therapist or a cranial osteopath then I'm sure that would help.
I'm a craniosacral therapist myself, among other things, and have treated lots of babies, so I know how helpful this work can be.
I do wish you good luck and all joy with your baby.
Jon C
The answers post by the user, for information only, UKQnA.com does not guarantee the right.