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Posted by Stephanie on January 20, 2001 at 08:36:04:In Reply to: 15 week old baby wakes 3 or 4 times a night posted by lyndsey barley on January 20, 2001 at 02:13:21:
Lyndsey,
You might be relieved (or not)to know that this is perfectly normal behavior for a 15week old baby. Every baby will digest food according to their own individual metabolism, and many babies need to be fed every 4 hours for a while, especially during growth spurts. As far as eliminating the last "feed", it doesn't sound as though she is actually eating but just "nursing to sleep". Why would you keep her up? Or is she just staying up that late on her own? It sounds like that last bottle is not an actual "feeding", but merely a way she uses to get to sleep. You may want to try using a pacifier to get her to sleep, because falling asleep with a bottle can damage her teeth.
When you say she needs "constant entertaining" at night, what else would you be doing at that time? Is it something active like cleaning, doing dishes, etc. or are you used to sitting down and reading or other quiet activities? If you are active, perhaps you could try using a baby sling? This way the baby gets the additional stimulation of your movement, you can get things done, and the baby is being "entertained" by being with you. If you prefer quiet time, perhaps you could lay down on the bed with her and talk to her. If you prop yourself up with pillows and pull up your knees, you can let her sit up with her back against your legs for support. This way you can relax and she still gets the interaction she needs.
As for sleeping, you may be on the right track bringing her to your bed, but instead of IN your bed, perhaps you could try "side carring"? You may be able to do this with your own crib, or you could buy a "co-sleeper" bed specially designed for this purpose. Basically you have the crib/side car right up against your bed, so that your baby is right next to you, but not close enough to worry about too many covers, rolling out of bed, kicking, etc. Here is a link to a website with several styles of co-sleepers Since you are bottle feeding, you may want to get a bottle warmer for your bedside. (if you don't already have one) This way you can fill a bottle of water before bed, and when she wakes to eat, all you have to do is mix in the formula.
I understand your frustration at the lack of sleep, but this is just something that babies need at this age. It will get better with time, the best thing to do is try to minimize the amount of time you have to spend when you get up at night. The co-sleeper and bottle warmer may help cut down on the time you are actually awake, saving you from getting out of bed and making up bottles at night. One good piece of advice that I was given was to be sure not to let night waking irritate you. Your baby will sense your aggitation and it may cause her to be more fussy and harder to get to sleep. If you look forward to seeing your daughter when you wake up, even at night, and make it a pleasant idea in your own mind, you will be more relaxed and YOU will fall back to sleep faster. (obviously I have no idea what YOU are like, but this is something that really helped ME when my babies were up at all hours at night)
Hang in there, it WILL get better!
Best wishes to you and your daughter!!!
Stephanie, mom to 4 boys and a princess
- Re: 15 week old baby wakes 3 or 4 times a night peter 12:39 1/25/01 (3)
- Re: 15 week old baby wakes 3 or 4 times a night Stephanie 08:41 1/26/01 (2)
- Re: 15 week old baby wakes 3 or 4 times a night Colleen 08:15 1/29/01 (1)
- Re: 15 week old baby wakes 3 or 4 times a night Stephanie 10:00 1/29/01 (0)
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