4 month check up :(

honeybee111

OK, I feel like somewhat of a failure after going to DS's well baby appt.  He's 70% in weight, 69% in height, so he's growing fine.  The pedi asked me about feedings and sleep(I EBF).  So, he eats 7 times in a 24 hour period, and she said it should be no more than 5 times.  Then, I told her he sleeps from 9-3 at night, eats, then sleeps until 7.  She told me that the night feeding is a habit for him, he doesn't need it, and she gently encouraged me to let him CIO.  She said he should be sleeping 12 hours no problem.  I'm having a hard time accepting this - I can't have the only 4 month old who eats at night, right?  I kind of remember my DD not STTN until around 6 months, so I thought we were doing ok.  Plus, DS has recently started putting himself to sleep(no more rocking!), so I thought we were improving.  Ugh.  Just feeling not so great about our appt.

jennyshawn0808

DS1 was STTN at this age. With the twins, DS2 STTN, but DD wakes once to eat. If you want to CIO then do it. If you still want to feed him, then do that & who cares what the Dr says.

MrsWindyCity

It is 100% normal for an EBF baby to still wake in the MOTN to eat. I would ignore your pedi. At 6 months, DS still gets up for a feeding 85% of the time.

LisaLisa1980

Tell your Dr to STFU. That is the worst advice ever. 5 times in 24 hrs?!?

EmilyStL

My EBF DD still night nursed until after her first birthday.  And an EBF baby is going to eat way more than 5x a day.  Most sleep experts will tell you CIO is inappropriate before 6 months, but either way it sounds like your DS is waking because he's legitimately hungry.  9-3 & 3-7 is awesome.  I wish my 3 month old DS would do that!  Sounds like you're doing great.  I'd consider finding a new pedi who is better educated about ebf babies.

blush64

LisaLisa1980 said:

Tell your Dr to STFU. That is the worst advice ever. 5 times in 24 hrs?!?

I agree with this.

singingmama13

I'm no doctor but that doesn't sound like good advice to me. My Ped. at 4 months said it's common for EBF babies to wake in the night at that age to eat. 

My daughter is now almost 6 months and sleeps usually anywhere from 8-10 hour stretches, but she's never slept 12. I think that's a lot for a 4 month old. 

Don't let her make you feel like a failure. Your baby isn't abnormal... sounds pretty normal to me for a 4 month old!! 

amberdt03

You're baby sounds normal to me. I think babies that STTN are the exception at this age. My son STTN and he eats 6-7 times a day. So I think 5 times is not enough at this age.

sgerrity23

Mine said the exact same thing at my 4 month check up. My lo is 5 months now and wakes up 1 to 2 times a night to eat. I feel bad not feeding her cause she seems hungry, so i continue to nurse at night.

amberdt03

https://www.thealphaparent.com/2011/12/timeline-of-breastfed-baby.html?m=1

This says a bf baby should be eating at least 5 times a day.

jlpev

My DD has the same patterns at your lo and my Dr was really happy with everything! I wouldn't worry!!

ASmallWonder

Your doctor is a tool.  There is nothing medically wrong with your child so your doctor's opinion is just that - her opinion.  No two babies are the same but your baby is much more the norm than your doctor is leading you to believe.  Doctors are great for medical issues but IMO, people take their non medical opinions far too seriously.  Trust your mom gut on this one.

emmy236

My baby will be 4 months tomorrow and that is exactly what he does only he eats at 230-3 and is up at 545 on the dot so you're doing better than us. But my pediatrician couldn't be happier with his development. Your pediatrician sounds like my MIL... "Oh my babies were perfect and slept through the night from 8 weeks old and took two 1 1/2 hour naps everyday..." It's like they forgot what it was really like with a real baby.

MrsRKJ

I feed my baby when he's hungry.  I don't care if he eats 5, 7 or 10 times a day!  As long as your LO is growing, thriving and happy, you're doing a great job mama - ignore that doc!

MrsBWG

Follow his cues!  They don't know what they're *supposed* to be doing, Mine is 3.5 mo and she grazes, its not uncommon for her to nurse every other hour some days, and still wakes up.  I don't ever want her to think I'm not there for her because I don't want to wake up at night or comfort her with my breast when she wants it because a baby her age is *supposed* to be doing such-and-such, and I doubt you want yours to learn that either.  Babies all develop differently.  You'll know when it's right for you.  Now

Nix55

Sounds like a twat. Follow your instincts and your baby's needs.

natalie115

If my pedi said that I would be finding a new one. My 3.5 month old wakes up every 2 hours at night to nurse. I've tried to get him back to sleep without nursing and it doesn't work. He also eats like he's starving (I'd guess about 3.5-4oz) so I assume he needs it. I'd say babies who sleep 12 hours at this age are the exception not the norm. I don't usually say ignore your dr, but in this case I think you should!

kristinyoung111

This. Everything that pedi said seems ridiculous. And only eating 5 times a day? No way.