Back to middle of the night feedings at 7 months of age??? Going out of my mind!

HELP!  7 mos old DD has been waking up at 2:30 am on the dot for two weeks now!  She won't go back to sleep unless she eats.  For example, last night before bed (at 8:30 pm) she had 8 oz of milk which I thought would hold her off until 6-7 am.  She was up again at 2:30 am.  She's not too fond of cereal and it consipates her (we tried oatmeal, rice and barley).  I don't think she's ready for pureed food b/c she chokes on it.  What do we do in this situation?  Letting her cry it out sounds cruel to me especially if she's hungry.  It could be teething but her bottom two teeth popped through already.  Is it possible for her to still be in pain even though they erupted already?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  I have such a migraine right now from not sleeping nights :((

[DollChina]

Hey girl, maybe she is going through a grow spurt.  Does Ariella like other baby food besides cereal, like sweet potatoes, apple sauce and banana.  She should de fine with stage 1 baby food.  Gavin eats rice, oatmeal cereal as well as congee.  How much does she weight now?  
I hope all is well for you!
Dolly

[rubyolivia]

I would also try fruits and/or veggies with her! My nephew was eating 2 small jars a day at 7 months! You could also try mixing juice or fruit baby food with her cereal for some added taste...but it would still be thicker consistancy!

[apple_blossom]

yep, I read they have growth spurts at 6 months. If your baby cries and feeding fixes whatever she's upset about, then feed her. My baby isn't that old yet, but I've read a LOT that says you shouldn't ignore babies crying, and that it won't spoil them. (at least you can get a feel for why)

As a rule, I've found out that when I try to take short cuts, I pay for it. Like when ds nurses, if he falls asleep right away and I put him in his crib, he'll wake up immediately, and that cycle will continue for hours. But if I insist, even though I want to go back to bed right away, then he may take another half hour to eat, but he'll stay asleep then.

I really do believe in taking cues from your baby. There's a reason she's waking you up.

[Me2mommy2b]

Hey, I like the schedule that Gavin's on.  I think I'll do that for Ariella as well ;)  She weighs 17 lbs now.  I think I'll start giving her stage 1 food but I want to do some of it home.  What should I be giving her first?
I read in your post that you have extra milk.  Good job!  I remember you were struggling, what did you do different to boost the supply?  I'll definitely do some things differently next time around.  

[DollChina]

Wow, she is doing good!  Almost out grow the Swaddlers no. 2!  I don't know if you use that brand but it's my favorite.  I just got an email, and they are making size 2-3 Swaddlers!  So happy.
I like Gavin's schdule too but he's been teething as well and he would get fussy at times.  He has 2 bottom teeth as well, so cute.
You can for sure add different flavors to her cereal.  Most babies like applesauce and it takes care of constipation.  Gavin loves prunes too so it really helps him if he has issue going No.2!
Well, I just keep pumping every 3 hours and on the weekends, I feed on demand.  I no longer take the Funugreek.  I have excess because he is eating more solid and demand less milk.  Just make sure you are drinking and eating enough.  I have less milk if I am dehydrated.
You did good too, and you tried your very best to give Ariella one of the best gifts you can give her!

[cutiemama]

I'm going through the same thing as you are right now. My dd is a week shy from turning 7 mos and she's waking up at least once a night. It's so frustrating because she was sleeping through the night for 10 hrs straight at 2.5 mos and then at around 5 mos she started waking up again. I BF her because it just seems easiest even though she probably doesn't need to eat. I created this pattern and now it's hard to stop. Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom but just thought I'd let you know that you're not alone.

BTW, my dd doesn't seem to care much for solids either.

[rubyolivia]

I forgot to add.......the baby I nannied for was hungry a lot both day and night. The doc suggested that he get 1-2 oz. of pedialyte or any electrolyte solution  in between feedings to keep him full. They did this and it worked great in addition to cereal before bed. :)

[DollChina]

You can cook sweet potatoes and add enough water or milk (to make her fuller) to the texture she likes.  Same with carrots, and other veggies.  Pear is great too.  I always use my breast milk or furmula to mix with cereal because it fills Gavin up more while still getting milk.

[ginmomof3]

My dd was sleeping through the night from 6 weeks till about 7 months, now at 15 months she still gets up.  My 10 year old son did the same, and he still does not really sleep through the night, but atleast he doesn't bother me anymore.  Some kids are just that way.  Really don't have any advice as I have tried all kinds of things, but none work.  I even tried to keep her up later thinking it would help, and nope.  Good luck though, I know it is tiresome.

[kellym]

Ha! Well, We are kind of going through that. Lily eats fruit & oatmeal in the am and veggies & cereal in the pm. About 4 or so bottles also. I was told DO NOT FEED them in the middle of the night because they will get used to it. I always just give her a small bottle if she wakes up. It doesn't bother me :0 She has a cold right now which is a pain in the butt. lily has to be at least 17 lbs by now and NO teeth. I swear all the time  I think she's teething but NOTHING!! Good luck :) Someone also suggested a small bottle of water. She may be thirsty!

[mom2rachie]

My DD is 8 months old tomorrow.  She weighs close to 27 pounds. She is breast fed but also eats 12 ounces of jar food 3 times a day, fruit, veggies and meat.  She is clearly NOT hungry and certainly isn't starving but she too wakes up every single night at least once a night.
She wakes up has breakfast, goes for anap, wakes up has lunch, goes for a nap, wakes up has dinner, bath and then back to bed and she will always wake up more than once.
I keep the same schedule and feed her any time she's hungry but she is not a sleeper.  She goes to sleep no problem but staying asleep, well that's completely different.
I think she just wants to see and experience everything......
It's terribly frustrating though.