Sleep Issues in 4 Month Old

If I am reading right she is increasing in her want of food. I breast feed all my children and they all went thru the I want more but at night it can really wear you out so adding cearal at this point will not hurt before bed time. Each one of my kids got it at different times one was less than a month it did no damage to any of them and gave me that extra little at night so I could make the next day.

Hi J.,

In my opinion I think she is being so fussy because she isn't being satisfied with soley breastfeeding. She is 4 months old and you could try her on rice cereal. I know it's not what they say you should do and they say that breastmilk is all they need for the 1st 6 months but I also think not every child can go by this.
When and if you try cereal try 2 tablespoons and mix in some of your breastmilk. Try it twice a day. This should help her sleeping and help her eating. And help you. Just my thoughts. At this point wat do you have to loose if you've tried everything else, W.

I would guess that the waking up every two hours to nurse is probably un-related. Babies go through a growth spurt at about 4 months, and she's probably just hungry at night. It doesn't last too long, and you might want to try to give her more calories during the day if possible. (And nap whenever you possibly can so that you have more sanity to deal with your evenings!)

If you're breast-feeding, how is your supply in the afternoon? I know you said she won't nurse during that time, but if she tried and found it lacking in the past, that could have something to do with it.

You're not failing. (Trust me, all of us think we're failing half the time.) You're a Mom, and you're doing your best. I've heard of babies who just need to cry to get to sleep, but have you checked with your pediatrician? This does seem like alot of crying.

bekki is totally right - we ALL feel we're failing miserably, at one point or another! mine came with the sleep issue also - i literally was so tired i slept right through his cries. not that i'd recommend that! my son had a hard time "transitioning" from daytime to nighttime around that age - although i was working and using a sitter during the day, don't know if that's your situation or not. but from the time i'd get him home till bedtime often he was just a complete grouchy bear. i felt mine was the transition thing, but it wears you down after awhile. our of sheer frustration and being sick of hearing the crying, i tried just putting him to bed, even though it wasn't his bedtime yet. ended up 8:00 was just too late for him, even though he would get a good 10-11 hours each night, we started putting him down earlier, 6:30 or 7 most nights. that's his bedtime to this day (18 months) since that's what worked for him. don't know what time you do put her down but maybe an hour earlier would help? sorry i don't have any better advice...i do promise it will get better though! hang in there!

Hello J.,
I would definitly check the milk supply. I never had the chance to breast feed that long, but Ihave heard the is around the time most babies increase the milk intake, and that this can be more then frustrating. like one of the other mom's have suggested to try rice ceral a few time especially right before or close to bedtime. While your body is trying to produce enouph milk for her, you can give her a liitle extra food to try and fill her up. My youngest child is 6 months old almost 7 months old and my oldest is 5 years. I found that with my oldest I did not produce enough milk to fulfill him so I switched to formula. I was concerned about the nutrients he may not be getting. What I realized now is that was the time their intake increases. If I would of hanged in there and got past the 8 week mark I think things would have worked out, but I through in the towel. Please hang in there and DO NOT give up. Breast milk is best. If the ceral thing does not work another thing you can try is Grip Water. I helps with colicy babies. Hope this is helpful.