Formula Fed 4 Month Old Waking Twice a Night to Eat

Both of mine were on formula and the first didn't sleep through the night until 4 months (and I mean from 11:00pm - 6:00 or 6:30am). The youngest got up twice a night for feedings until he was around 10 months. He gradually stretched from 4am or so into the sixes, but it took a long time! I know some kids who have continued to wake at least once a night well into their first year. Every baby is different, but I don't think you're out of the norm for a 4 month old -formula or breastfed!

He could be going through a growth spurt? I would give a little longer but maybe he is also getting to the point where he is ready for 8oz bottles during the day and then he might sleep longer at night bc his belly will stay fuller longer, just bc he only ate 4-6 ozs of breastmilk doesn't mean that is all he needs of formula, they work differently in babies bellies.

I don't think it makes a difference between breastmilk and formula. I'm pretty sure it's a myth that it fills them up longer. Sounds normal to me!

EDIT: Just a side note... I formula fed my first son. Didn't sleep through the night until about 11 months. I exclusively breastfeed my second son and he didn't sleep through the night until about 13 months. My formula feed baby ate more than my breastfeed baby!

His tummy is only has big as his fist. Babies need to be fed often. And as with many things with babies and kids, as soon as you see a pattern, get ready for it to change!

I'd say you're more on the habit side.
My DD (both kids strictly formula fed) did this until about 5.5 mos. But she gradually dwindled down what she was taking. Couple pulls from the bottle and then she's just "play suck" at it.

If he's taking both full bottles, I'd probably stay with it for awhile longer. You're not really in danger of it being a "habit" for another month or so.

See if you can wean down what he's taking. Make the bottles smaller and increase during the day. If he cries after finishing, you know he's truly hungry. If not, he's just enjoying the midnight(s) snack, and you can sleep train him.

It depends on how much he is eating during the day. Have you introduced cereal yet? If not, you may want to try that during the day. Also, increase each bottle to 6 ounces. Trust me if they are full they won't drink all of it. If he isn't getting enough calories during the day then he'll need that at night. An almost 5 month old baby can sleep through the night. Mine did and were formula fed but at 4.5 months old all three of mine guzzled their 8oz bottles and were enjoying rice cereal...Also, It could be another growth spurt. Ear infection? (Fever not always present)

I would ask his pediatrician if this is fine. Most likely it is, and he is growing and his body is changing, along with his appetite.

Only a few lucky women get babies that sleep all night at this age. He still needs those feedings if he is drinking that much and will for awhile which is one ofthe reasons it's not recommended to start CIO until at least 6 months (we never did CIO) You could try and get it down to one feeding by doing a dream feed. Go in and give him a bottle before you go to bed. I used to nurse my youngest (oldest was one of the rare awesome sleepers) before I went to bed and he would wake around 4 to nurse again. You know it's for habit/comfort when he wakes and only takes a few sips before drifting back to sleep. :) good luck

Very normal for a 4 month-old to need to eat twice at night. I've read that it is a myth that formula-fed babies sleep longer than breast-fed babies. Each baby will be a little different in their needs, but twice a night at this age is normal. He will grow up fast, so just meet his needs for now.

Yes, it is normal. He is hungry and needs to be fed.

My son at this point slept from about 11-6 mayne 7 if I was lucky. I worked nights at this time so ad a later bed time anyway. So its normal. You could try addind some cereal during the day but my son didnt sleep 10-12 hours at night until he was about 6 months. Even now at 8 months he'll sometims wake up at 4-5 (going to sleep at 7 or 730) and drink a whole 8oz bottle and go right back to sleep.

Yes, he will continue doing this for many more months if he is normal. Some babies do stop the middle of the night feedings but generally even those that do stop wake up extremely early starving! They need to eat a meal every few hours even until the are older and on table food full time and having a snack right before bed.