Eating and Sleeping

Hi there,

I'd like to help as this is in my line of work. I'm a pediatric dietitian.

Is your baby developmentally a 7 month-old baby? Was she premature or have any existing conditions? Before giving advice, I wanted to make sure your sweet girl is developmentally a normal 7 month-old child. Assuming she is....

I would go back to the single grain rice cereal. Add some formula/breastmilk to soupy consistency. Even though she was doing cereal with bananas, you want to go back to the basics and then slowly work back up as she gains acceptance.

In general, 7-month olds should have 40-48 ounces of formula or breastmilk a day (as their primary source of nutrition) with some stage 2 foods a couple times a day.

I hope that helps.

God Bless!

Hi my name is A. and I run a in-home daycare and have experience in this area. What I have suggested (and done myself) is put cereal in her bottle at night. You can keep adding it until it is to pasty to suck through a tri-cut nipple. I would suggest still trying to feed her at night (solids) until she gets back into the routine. When my son went through that I picked the jared food he loved, even if it was only fruits. (at least he was getting full) I hope this helps!

Is she eating babyfood. Does she eat during the day.

My daughter is almost 10 months old and went through the same thing. I still don't know why she didn't want to eat. I'm wondering if it was due to teething?? But it has passed and she got her first tooth during the process so maybe. However, the waking up at night may not be related to being hungry. According to our pediatrician babies go through an anxiety phase and they start to realize when they wake up that they are alone. We had been going into her room and patting her on the back, giving her the pacifier, and sometimes picking her up and holding/rocking her. We were told not to do any of those things but to just stand at the door and reassure her that we are there and it is okay. Try playing some soft music also. We also started using the words "night-night" when her putting her to bed so she can connect the words with the activity. I kid you not, after about a week of this she is back to sleeping through the night. If she does wake up it's short lived and she puts herself back to sleep. She is now even being put down for bed and going right to sleep without a peep. I don't know if this will help in your case but try it. Also, if you haven't done this...go to www.babycenter.com and go to the discussion boards. Try the birth club board for the month your child was born. Lots of info there!

D.,

I don't know if you are feeding her a bottle before feeding her the cereal, but try feeding the cereal then the bottle. I hope that helps!

HI D.,
I'm a teacher too. I taught for 5 years in Garland ISD. I homeschool my 3 children now. I hope you find a teaching job nearby :)
As a part-time passion, I share with others about a powder base food matrix natural supplement called Ambrotose that has helped our family tremendously, even with sleeping habits. The Research and Development company, Mannatech, has this patented essential glyconutrient. Please feel free to call or email me for more info.
I hope you find a solution soon b/c I know how important it is for all of us to get a good nights sleep!

God Bless,
A. Pomeroy
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This is apparently a pretty common thing.
My guess would be that her new found mobility, teething, and the ability to assert her own will, or some combination of the three, are the issues you're dealing with.

Teething is an easy fix -- try the appropriate dose of Children's Tylenol or Motrin/Advil about half an hour before bed time.

Of course teething and ear infections have nearly identical symptoms. If she really is overly cranky, you might call the pediatrician and see if you can at least rule out a medical problem.

As far as her mobility and asserting her will, I'd suggest you stick to your guns about nap times and bed times. If/when she cries after you put her down, go back and check on her either every 10 min or in increasing intervals (first 5 min, then 10 min, etc.) Each time, pat and comfort her, but don't pick her up (unless she's hysterical). If she has a "lovey" or a paci, make sure she has it.

Another method I've heard about is one where you sit in the bedroom next to the crib while the baby cries, and you calm and pat her. Again, don't pick her up unless she's hysterical. Just sit there as long as it takes for her to fall asleep. Do this for 3 or 4 nights, then move your chair half way across the room for 3 or 4 nights, then move your chair next to the door, then out to the hall-way. It's about a 9-might process, but a lot of moms say they prefer being in the room with the baby rather than somewhere else in the house.

My son had similar sleep issues pop up around 6 months, and again around 8 or 9 months. I used both methods and each time it took 2 -3 nights to get him back on track.

Good luck!