5 Month Old Feeding and Sleeping

I think since she goes back to sleep after you feed her, then she is obviously genuinely hungry and not waking up for other reasons. If she wasn't hungry, you could try other methods, but that's not it since she sleeps pretty well from how you describe so I wouldn't try anything else. You can try to see if you can increase her calorie intake by feeding more often during the day to see if it will help her sleep a little longer at night. However, you may just have to wait till she starts doing it naturally herself.

She sounds very normal to me for 5 mos. You might try cluster feeding her a bit right before bed. Other than that, I think she will adjust when she's ready. Enjoy!

8pm is probably too late of a bedtime. Oddly enough, babies' brains are set differently than ours, and in my experience, they sleep a LOT better when you put them down around 6. Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but give it a try.

The other thing I was going to suggest is that you wait a little bit before going in to feed her at night when she wakes up. Babies often times have periods of almost-waking, where they will make crying noises, wiggle around, etc, but they're not really and truly awake. Sometimes they can settle themselves back down again on their own if you leave them be for a few minutes.

Someone recommended "On Becoming BabyWise" by Gary Ezzo to me, and honestly, it was such a lifesaver. You might also like "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Weissbluth. Both really good books that help you work through any issues and get your baby sleeping through the night.

She sounds like a normal baby. Unless you are exhausted to the point that you can't stay awake during the day, it doesn't sound like you need to do anything.

some babies dont sleep thru the night for a long time. my niece was a year before she slept thru the night! hang in there she will get it :)

Babies feed all day night and day.
They tummies are tiny.
And they "cluster feed" which means they even feed every single hour.
NORMAL.

It is important to nurse/give Formula, when they are hungry. Because, it is according to their... needs. And appetites fluctuates every day.

Feeding rice cereal is not a solution.
And yes, it can cause constipation... because their organs are STILL developing and their digestive system.

For the 1st year of life, per our Pediatrician... breastmilk or Formula is a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition. NOT solids and not other liquids.
And, solids, is not as nutritionally dense, as breastmilk or Formula. And to give this on-demand, 24/7.

Solids, is not the magic solution, to making a baby sleep all night.
Babies, wake. For hunger or teething or separation anxiety and any needs. Normal.

6 months is also coming up. And that is a growth-spurt period in a baby. Hence, they get hungrier. More often and need more intake (ie: breastmilk or Formula).

Babies do not sleep through the night. Some may, But that is not a guarantee.
No baby or child, has slept the same way all their life. It is not static. Sleep patterns and ability, varies. And per their developmental phases and growth-spurts.
And likewise, no Teen/adult or college kid or elderly, has slept the same way they did as a baby.
Sleep... always changes. And reflects developmental occurrences.

The book "What To Expect The First Year" and "What To Expect: The Toddler Years" is good.

Also a baby should nap.
Over-tired or overly stimulated babies/children, actually sleep worse. Over tiredness, makes a baby have a harder time to fall asleep and have good quality sleep.

For the 1st year for example, my son/daughter would nap 3 times a day. And go to bed at night by 8:00pm.
And they had huge appetites, I nursed, and they woke at night for feedings. Which I did. Even if they were on solids or not.
I primarily did nursing.

After waking in the morning, a baby will typically get tired and need a nap... about 2 hours or 3 hours max, after waking. Even a bath at this age, is an 'activity' for them.

My kids as babies, woke up during the night about every 2-3 hours too.
Normal.

not sure if you are breast feeding or bottle...but i know with my 2 boys who are 8 and 4 now...they both slept a good 6 hour stretch when they were 8 wks to 12 wks...I would higly recommend a fan that is in the baby's room to drown out noise...we did that the first night with both..and i plan on doing it with my little girl that is due this friday....it will work wonders..