nearly all night feeding (5-6mth old)

[Amaunet]

My DS is going to FDC - he's only had one day so far (sob) but I sent - and plan to keep sending veges (home cooked) They are a "thick mash" and he loves them - screams for more LOL. When he's at home it's his evening meal - but I too am worried about him being tired at night so figure he's getting a good feed during the day (and hopefully he drinks/needs less formula).

Liz, let your DH know that solids make no difference to our Blake's sleep - if only it were that simple. All they seem to have done is make his poo absolutely FOUL!!!

Sending sleepy vibes to all bubbas...

[leckert]

Liz, let your DH know that solids make no difference to our Blake's sleep - if only it were that simple. All they seem to have done is make his poo absolutely FOUL!!!

CF - I've told him that and he hasn't pushed it much. I reminded him the other day that Blake should still be getting most of his diet from BM still and not solids (At least not upping the solids as quickly as DH thinks he should).

Thanks for the idea about veg - what sorts you you use for FDC? I guess potato and what else?

[Amaunet]

So far i've used potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot and brocolli. I steam then mash or blend and freeze in cubes (keeping foods seperate) and store in zip lock bags. I use the Happy Baby ice trays from Big W - they are a good size. To take with me I just toss a selection of cubes into a container and nuke when needed. Sometimes I add a bit of grated cheese or yohgurt - usually when I've made it too hot n need to cool it down. I usually use potato as a base because its nice and thick.

[kelebek]

Yes this is a phase and yes it will pass I promise. Often they will practice the rolling, learning to crawl in thier sleep in the cots and consequently wake themselves up. Add to this he could be teething and you end up with all nighters.

I remember when DS's first tooth was coming through we went through nights of him waking every 30 - 45 mins, at least a day of non-stop crying/grizzling with seeming no explanation. When I was almost at the end of my tether I took him for a walk and happened to stick my fingers in his mouth just to check and lo and behold we had a tooth... I don't think I have ever been so happy at that point in time

Sometimes food can make them really unsettled too... did the unsettledness overnight seem to coincide with when you started solids?

I know many people believe at this age they only feed for comfort and I am sure that is a part of it but I know with my DS he would often feed for longer at night so I knew for him it was about the food not just the comfort. I also wonder with this heat if he is thirsty as well which could be contributing to why he is waking.

The only way I survived was to co-sleep, I would sleep with him through the day when I had the chance and found he slept for longer when I did

you are doing such a great job and sleep deprivation has to be the worst

[onthefly]

Yep, sounds exactly like my boy at that age.
As others have mentioned, I think there are lots of possible reasons. Being distracted during teh day and making up for it at night; separation anxiety; upset tummy (sometimes stopping solids helps at this age); teething; some other stuff, who knows!?

Like Kelebek, I think the best thing is to just survive. Do whatever works best - co-sleeping certainly helped us too. And I was working full time back then too, so I totally get how you're feeling. It will get better, you just have to ride it out. Good luck.