Phasing out a night feeding?

ok, so we went to the pedi today because I thought the babies had some thrush. The pedi said they might have a little but its very minimal so he gave us a prescription and said to use it just in case. ANYWAY, they got weighed and Jack now weighs 7lbs 8oz and Mackenzie 7lbs 9oz...little chunkers! This means they have grown almost a pound and a half in 1 week and 2 days. So, they are gaining good and the pedi said I didnt need to wake them toe at at night, however, we have never had to wake our babies to eat at night...they just wake up every 3hrs to eat. So, I do let them sleep at night but they still wake up every 3hrs...is there any way to phase out a feeding?! Or is this something they have to do on their own? They eat a lot during the day too...they just eat a lot period!!

 

At that age my babies were no where near being able to phase out any night feedings. They were probably about 7.5 and 9.5 pounds at that age and still eating every three hours. Right now they get up once in the night, and that just started about one week ago. Before that they got up twice a night. I let them tell me when they are hungry in the night.

 

my babies still get up every 3-5 hours most nights. I would never phase out a feeding--I figure if they are hungry, I should feed them!

 

I think if they are waking up and hungry you should feed them. There are a few people out there whose babies sttn from the time they are only weeks old, but that is certainly not the majority of babies. The majority of babies wake up every 2-4hrs to eat at night for the first few months of life at least (mine woke up at night to feed until they were 8mnths old). So it is probably too early to try and phase out any feedings, just keep feeding and keep watching your little munchkins grow - just my opinion tho.

 

I have to agree with pp. I think in the beginning the dr told us to wake them if they didn't to eat and then said the same thing that we didn't have to wake them. But if they are waking on their own to eat, then feed them. I don't think we cut any night feedings ever. If they woke and we gave them a bottle and they drank it they drank it. I think one month is way too early to stop. They will probably do this for several months.

 

Mine started phasing out the 10pm feeding at 4 months. Only at 7 months did they stop being hungry at night (for now).

 

QUOTE(Hsuter @ Oct 8 2008, 07:49 PM) [snapback]1018445[/snapback]
So, I do let them sleep at night but they still wake up every 3hrs...is there any way to phase out a feeding?! Or is this something they have to do on their own? They eat a lot during the day too...they just eat a lot period!!


That sounds really normal. My pedi told me the same thing after our 1st appointment, that I no longer had to wake them for feedings...the only thing that changed was I no longer set my alarm for every 3 hours, but my girls were still my alarm clocks every 3 hours! I think all that means when the pedi says that is if the babies are able to go longer then it's okay, they won't dehydrate in the night, but that doesn't mean your babies are going to do it.

After my pedi said I no longer had to wake them it was still a couple more months before anyone slept through a feeding. But I was so excited when it finally happened!

 

I think babies also do get used to waking up, not necessarily because they are hungry. If it were me, I would still feed them at that age and still being so little. Once our girls hit 12 lbs, I was told it's not necessary for a midnight feeding. We decided one night to not feed them (they were at least 12 lbs then) and we just went in when we heard them wake up. We just stuck their pacifiers back in their mouths and they went back to sleep. That was it - we've never given them a night feeding since. Our transition was pretty easy but I realize babies are different.

We do have the exact same routine at night - not matter if the timing is off during the day, we always end up at 6:15 giving them 3 1/2 oz. and veggies, then a bath and then 4 1/2 oz. right after and they are in bed at 7:30/7:45.

 

I wouldn't phase out a feeding...I've always thought that you should feed them when they're hungry.

 

I hope you all didnt think I meant to just not feed them at a feeding...I guess I might have worded this wrong.
I meant to span it out better so they eat maybe every 4hrs instead of 3. I do feed them when they are hungry and will not stop doing that!

 

Mine were eating every 3-4 hrs at night at that age. That is totally typical. They will spread it out in their own time - I promise!

 

QUOTE(ladybenz @ Oct 8 2008, 05:56 PM) [snapback]1018458[/snapback]
my babies still get up every 3-5 hours most nights. I would never phase out a feeding--I figure if they are hungry, I should feed them!


Same here.