Hi there,

My 6 month old is a healthy weight (9kg/20lb), very active and doing fine, but we're trapped in a cycle of a big 3am night feed (breastfeed) and tiny day-time feeds (2 bottles + 1-3 breastfeeds).

No matter how much I persist to try and get him to take proper, regular daytime feeds, he only breastfeeds for 3-5 minutes or takes 2-5oz from a bottle at each feed, 2-6hrs apart and then he's off again (have tried to set more of routine without sucess). He then wakes at around 3am (and sometimes also 6am) for big make-up feeds. His night nappies are then soaked... which also wakes him up again.

How do I solve this problem? It's been going on a while now, after he stopped sleeping through (he used to sleep 11-12hrs straight). I try and try to get more into him during the day, but he just isn't hungry. He's just started solids, currently having a small amout of cereal for breakfast and a little puree for lunch.

Friends/family have recommended:

*Don't feed at 3am, let him cry it out then he'll be really hungry in the morning and it will break the cycle (I'm not convinced it would, and he's a pretty stubborn LO so he might just keep crying )

* If he wakes at 3, make him wait until 4 etc. then feed and gradually bring him through to 7am. (What do it do while he waits? Just hold him while he cries?)

*Get OH to give him a small bottle at 3am and put him back, so he's not just waking for cuddles (Not sure what OH will think about this!)

Should I set a routine e.g. 3hrly or 4hrly feeds, or try and dreamfeed?

Do you think any of these would work? Or can you suggest anything else?

Thanks, I'm really at a loss and don't want this to become a habit for him. (Sorry this is so long!)


(Edit: Our LO has reflux, not sure if this is relevant or not!)

It sounds like he might be distracted by more interesting stuff during the day and not be that interested in drinking milk. So I would definitely try a dreamfeed. Maybe it's worth feeding him somewhere very quiet and boring so there's no chance of him wanting to do something else.

I would ignore all the suggestions you have been given (sorry, just my opinion)

You are right, he just can't focus on feeding during the day. I try feeding in a dark room but he's onto me!

I guess I'm not sold on the suggestions I've been given already which is why I'm looking for more advice.

Dreamfeed seems to be a good option. We tried it once or twice before when he was younger but he would barely eat. Might be time to try again.

when luca's reflux would act up he wouldnt want his bottles . could that be it?

* If he wakes at 3, make him wait until 4 etc. then feed and gradually bring him through to 7am. (What do it do while he waits? Just hold him while he cries?)


I know a few people who have used the above suggestion with really good results. If he wakes up a 3 then try giving him cuddles and shushing him etc, he may settle to sleep for a little longer, if not, feed at 4, and then the next night a little longer etc it takes a couple of weeks but people have found it the best way to change a routine without having to do CIO methods x

That certainly makes sense but it's been going on for so long now... He has really good reflux days and doesn't eat any more, so it really leaves me wondering The reflux certainly complicates things!

We might end up doing this but part of me still hopes he will just start sleeping through by himself! Sounds like a lot of awake time for us all in the middle of the night!! Good to hear it does seems to work though, thanks

he on meds for the reflux? before luca was.. the only time i could feed him was at night (dreamfeeding) because he didnt realize what was going on he was so sleepy

He's just come off them.... We were having this problem while he was on them but it has got worse since he came off. Maybe the acid?

yes!! if he can taste the acid and burning it can make him gag.. then throw up! hope hes doin better for you