How Do I Get My 4 1/2 Month Old to Eat Less Often??

Every 2-3 hours is perfectly normal at this age. If he hasn't been eating this often, then it is most likely a growth spurt and will only last a couple of days.
One tip I have seen is to feed more often throught the day- more feedings between morning and bedtime than before, and see if it helps him stay full longer to sleep in longer stretches at night.

Every child is different and not all will sleep through the night at the same ages. I have twins, and though they both kept the same feeding/nursing schedules, they still were different at night. My girl would sleep through the night at a couple of months old, whereas my son didn't stop night nursing until 12 months old. They are the boss here at this age- they are only doing what is right for them. It won't be forever! You will get through it! :)

It is still too young to introduce cereals though, as their digiestive system is not ready til at least 6-7 months old. It will give them tummy disomfort most likely and keep them up more at night!

1 mom found this helpful

Gosh I wish I had the most awesome advice for this, but here is the truth, these guys are in charge of their own schedules--YIKES! I went thru that with my baby too. What helped me out, getting her thru the nights, was baby cereal. Talk to your doctor if its not too early for your baby. Mine started at 4 months and loved it, now she only wakes at night when she is teething. She is 7 months old and already eating table food, chopped up, of course. She also has 4 teeth. Sometimes you do have to use your own judgement on your baby needs too. Do try adding more formula to eat feeding, until your up to 8 oz too. No this wont necessarily slow him down on eating, but it could help getting thru the night. He will know when he is full and hungry and he will let you know too. Good Luck and remember, it doesnt last forever, just feels that way!

1 mom found this helpful

Is he on schedule? I don't know if it works for you, but when my daughter was born, I started her on schedule right away. My friend gave me this book "The Baby Whisperer Solve All Your Problem" by Tracy Hogg. And I read this book and followed her advise, and it worked! This book is awesome, it will help your son getting on a routine like feeding, sleeping, etc. Hopefully this will help you and your baby. Goodluck!

I don't know if you were told this yet, but try putting some rice cereal in with his formula. My daughter did the same thing wanting to eat all the time & waking up in the middle of the night. Or even if he's ready just making some meals as just cereal. I was told that they mey not be hungry all the time either, they're thirsty too. But at night before you put him to sleep do the cereal thing with some of the next age up bottles. It will fill him up making it easier to sleep longer. It worked for me.

I went through this with my daughter who was born September 06. What I ended up doing was putting her off by about 15 minutes each feeding and increasing the oz by 1/2 an oz. This seemed to work well for her. So if you can stand it - there may be some crying! At the next feeding if it has only been 2 to 3 hours wait 15 minutes more(if possible) then offer a 5 oz bottle. Then just gradually increase the intervals and ounces as needed. I hope my explanation of this made sense!!!

Well, you really can't at this age. Every 2-3 hours is very typical. My daughter is 8 months and she eats about every 4 hours. She still gets up 1 or two times a night. I only feed her once at night, though. If it's cool with your doctor, try feeding him rice cereal. Never put it in his bottle, though. That is not recommended. As he gets into solid foods he'll make it longer in between feedings. But there really isn't much you can do. At night, though, he should be able to get through 8-10 hours without having to eat by this age. So when he wakes up, just go and comfort him. Don't pick him up or feed him. If he takes a pacifier, give him that and rub his back a little, or his tummy if he's laying on his back. Then leave the room for 5 or 10 minutes, and go back in again if he's fussing. After a few nights he should sleep most of the way through the night. My son would sleep from 8 pm to 6 am and then have a bottle and go back to sleep till 8 am. Anyway, hope this helps. Just enjoy your son while he's a baby because they grow up so fast!! My daughter just started crawling today, I can't believe it!!

My son ate every two hours until he was 6 or 7 months old. We didn't get a full nights sleep until he was 10 months. So i wish you luck!! Also the feeding started getting farther apart when he started eating solid food. Sorry i couldn't offer any tips for you.

My twin daughters went through this same thing when they were around 5 months of age. I talked with there dr. and she told me to start solids with them. Let me tell you that made a world of difference!! They would go 3 1/2 to 4 hours between feedings and I trully believe they weren't getting enough from just the formula. The solids really kept their tummy's full longer. I hope I have helped in some way. Good Luck!

B.-
My son is the same age. He does the same thing except he eats 6 oz every time!! I was told by my lactation nusre that some babies will comtinue to eat every 2-3 hours no matter how old they are until they are one or so!! My son also get's up 1-2 times a night most of the time he only eats a little and then back to sleep. He is on a pretty set schedule though and that really helped me becuase now he only eats every 3hours but no later then that. But before he would eat like every 2hours. So if you aren't already try to get him on a good schedule.
I know that you would like alonger break in between but just think before long they will be giving us plenty of time to ourselfs!! Good luck with everything.

Hi B.,
My son was exactly like yours! I finallystarted giving my son alittle rice ceral especially before he went to bed and after awhile when he got up in the am. I know some drs frown on starting them younger than 6 months. but I finally caved in at my friends sugestion who has raised 2 kids and 3grands. My son seemed to be in a much better mood and schedule after a few weeks. Totally a suggestion!

Is he going through a growth spurt? If so, I'd let him continue to eat on the schedule that he prefers and it will taper down later.