Random baby pattern

[Orducks97]

I have a 4 month old baby who is not sleeping through the night. He wakes up several times (anywhere from 4-6). He will only sleep about 3 hours before waking up (I put him down between 7 and 8:00-he is really tired in the evening). I am not sure if he is waking out of habit or is really hungry. He only takes 3-4 ounces at a feeding. He is in the 75th percentile for weight, so I know he is getting enough (although he only averages 20 ounces a day). In addition, my son is very random with his eating schedule. He will sometimes go 4 hours without eating, but 2 hours at other times. I try to stretch him out, but he cries. His nap habits are just as bad. He will only sleep 30-45 minutes at a time (a little longer if being held). I am not sure how to get my son on a schedule when his eating is so random. This sleep deprived mom needs help!

[auzziekat]

Hi,
I would feed him every three hours regardless. This is very improtant so he gets all of his nutrition in the during the day. The bed time routine is also very important, do the same routine every night exactly the same. Here is a schedule that I would give to one of my clients:

Schedule for 4 month old


7am Wake up and feed

8.20am Nap

10am Wake up and feed

11.20am Nap

1pm Wake up & Feed

2.20pm Nap

4pm Wake up & Feed

5.20pm Short Nap

6pm Wake up

6.30pm Start bedtime Routine (bath, pj’s, listen to mellow music)

7pm Feed and down to bed

10pm Dream Feed (get your baby up and feed her, burp her and put back to bed) Put her in a size bigger diaper than daytime before bed at 7pm, only change her if she has pooped.
I would only give the dream feed if you think your baby need the food and only for a week or two until he gets used to not eating throughout the night.

[Jacksonsmama]

My son is 8 months and still does not sleep through the night. He's almost 16 lbs. Dr says he's 95% in height and 5% in weight and says I should not worry. He seems to up about every 3 to 4 hours. During this time I normally feed him. I know that he can with stand almost 7 hours without breast feeding but some how we're back to every 3 to 4. I probably breast feed him every 6x a day and the he eats solids about 3 times a day. Should I try to follow the same guidelines that you have posted or is there something different because he's on solids now? Please help!

[auzziekat]

Hi,
I would try and follow the following schedule:

7am wake up and Nurse
8am Breakfast (solids)
9am Nap
11am Wake up and nurse
12pm Lunch (solids)
2pm nap
4pm Wake up and nurse
5pm Dinner
6.30pm Bath and bedtime routine
7pm Nurse and night night

If he still wakes up in the middle of the night, then I would deduct 2 minutes off the nursing time very other night.
Hope this helps
Kathy