Night feeding- 6 month old?

[Anon25]

Upon the suggestion of our ped, I've been weaning DS from the bottle at night. We got down to 1 oz, which he would take and fall asleep again. Just the past couple days though, I've been working nights. While I've been away DH has turned the nighttime into an all you can eat bottle buffet. Now I've found DS will not go back to sleep without drinking at least 3-4 ozs.

I'm so confused...I don't know if he's really hungry or if he's just gotten used to a larger feeding. DH insists that he must be still hungry-why else would he keep crying? Which I understand, but on the other hand, why only a week ago was 1 oz. enough to satisfy him?

Should I let him CIO? Give him the 3-4 oz. and start weaning all over again? I don't want to deprive him if he's really hungry yet I don't want to encourage bad habits either. Any advice?

[Marisa]

Most babies go through regular growth spurts, and six months is a big one. Their instinct is to eat frequently during this time to increase their nutrition to match their growth.

Even the sleep training experts will tell you that some babies need to eat at night at six months -- even at nine months! It is something that should be determined by observing your baby's behavior.

3-4 oz. is not a lot, and if your DS is going back to sleep willingly after eating then it sounds like your DH is really paying attention to his cues and responding appropriately. Kudos to him for being an attentive dad, especially in the middle of the night! :)

[Ole Miss Bride]

Yeah, some babies still need to eat at night at that age. My kid does. I wish he'd STTN, but whatever - it ain't happening around here. As long as he eats and goes right back to sleep, I'd continue to feed him.

-Betsy

[allyray231]

Yeah, some babies still need to eat at night at that age. My kid does. I wish he'd STTN, but whatever - it ain't happening around here. As long as he eats and goes right back to sleep, I'd continue to feed him.

Ditto. He sounds hungry to me.

[AlisonCO]

Both of my kids needed to eat overnight at 6 months. DS stopped nursing overnight at 12 months and DD just stopped this week at 10.5 months. Both of mine did this on their own which made me feel like they were ready which was important to me. I also agree with the growth spurt - the 6 month one was huge and exhausting - DD was eating every 3 hours all day for over a week. Then she went back to her one night waking. If he is taking 3-4 oz, IMO that is a meal not a snack or a habit.

[daisysue62]

My dd is almost 12 months and still wakes at 4am or so to nurse, and otherwise sleeps from 8pm to 7am. She's STTN at times, but I think teething/stress can send us back to the nightwaking.