https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 17:10:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-sleep-help#post-2573605 Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:08:01 +0000 nanilani 2573605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son just turned 8 months (although closer to 32 weeks by the Wonder Weeks chart) and we're running into a number of new sleep behaviors that we don't want to encourage. I don't know which angle to attack first -- I'm sure naps are affecting nighttime sleep and vice versa. Any tips out there??</p> <p>Background: DS started STTN around 8 weeks. We did some sleep training with him around 6.5 months and he's been a champ at going down at night ever since -- I can only think of two difficult evenings since then. Still STTN from 6:30/7ish until I woke him up around 6am. </p> <p>Two weeks ago we moved in with my ILs. DS has been waking up EARLY every day (usually in the 4am hour, today was 3:30!) despite going down with no issue (same bedtime and evening routine). He's not exactly upset, but does chatter louder and louder until one of us gets him. I don't like to leave him being noisy forever since there are other adults in the house trying to sleep :\ At that point I'll feed him. If I put him back down in his crib full and awake he'll go back to sleep, but if I keep him in our room he just crawls all over us and jabbers away in the dark. That tactic works for now, but I don't want to create a new nursing/sleep association.</p> <p>I'm also frustrated with his unreliable nap schedule at day care. I found out this morning that he barely napped at all over the past few days! We haven't nap trained at home but do have moderate success getting him to nap twice a day on weekends. I know we need to come up with a better solution with our provider, but I need to approach her with an exact plan before she'll get on board. She tends to go off her past experience (30+ years) and instincts, which can differ from my perception of a situation -- see not getting an 8 month old to nap at least once!</p> <p>So which angle would you approach first? Do you think we should nap train first and see if nighttime sleep improves? Any tips for handling this with day care? Could he be going through the 9 month sleep regression early? Should I stop feeding him at night and let him chatter until he cries or wears himself out? I'm at a loss as to where to start and would appreciate any advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233880 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 21:52:47 +0000 gingerbebe 2233880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been in the same position since 9 months. Try the formula ice cold in a sippy cup - literally on ice. For some reason, my son will take formula from a straw cup if its really cold (perhaps he can't taste it?) We've also been trying bottles as soon as he wakes up - literally still in his sleepsack, before changing diaper. Its when he's groggiest so he will actually take some from a bottle. I also hand him something to play with or look at while he's drinking, like keys, or a remote control, or a small toy. </p> <p>I asked my pediatrician about it and she told me she'd like him to take 16oz a day. On days he only takes like 8-12oz, I give him lots more water and hide formula powder in his food. I made froyo with formula powder, frozen fruit, and ice and fed it to him. I made baby "cookie dough" by mashing peanut butter and formula powder together with a little oatmeal cereal and fed him little bites (which are thick, so he wants some water afterwards). I leave a straw cup of milk next to him on the floor when he's playing and he'll grab it and drink from it from time to time. Overall, I think we're getting the 16oz a day. There will be days they actually drink a good amount, so just prep the 8oz bottle and keep offering. My son is on 4 feedings a day and was taking 6oz at a time, but at his worst he was taking like 1-2 ounces for about 2 weeks. I almost gave up bottles completely, but my mom insisted on sticking with the bottles, so we still offer 4 times a day and whatever he doesn't finish we put right into the straw cup with ice and offer with his meal and while he's playing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233869 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 21:31:22 +0000 Mamasig 2233869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just keep offering. Sometimes babies go through little phases when they want more solids or just the opposite. And in my experience with two kids, they defintely were more into the solids by that age. Formula consumption began to gradually decrease. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233852 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 20:27:04 +0000 msplatypus 2233852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@twodoghouse: we did try a faster flow, it helped at first but then she got worse again. Luckily she's really good at feeding herself and will eat anything. She loves food, just not on a spoon or in a bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233846 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 20:15:13 +0000 twodoghouse 2233846@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kids were really slow with solids and then we took a hiatus because of GI issues, so take this with a grain of salt! But don't freak out! It'll be fine and all kids are different. I'd probably see if I could get more milk/formula into her, though. What flow nipple are you using? Maybe she needs a faster flow? As far as the self feeding - are you worried she's not getting enough when she's self feeding? My son rejected purees around 8 months and started self feeding. At the time he was still on a lot of nursing and formula so I wasn't too concerned, but his accuracy with self feeding was pretty limited. Our ped suggested letting him go to town with finger foods, but in between his attempts to get things into his mouth, try spoon feeding to up his intake. That wasn't totally successful for me, but maybe you'll have a little more luck. Don't feel worried about contacting your ped about this, though. That's what they are there for! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233841 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:56:57 +0000 msplatypus 2233841@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@raintreebee: I've read that and I've also read what @Truth Bombs: is saying. Everything is so confusing. I will call on Monday. Thank you!</p> <p>@Jone0603: we did, she won't drink any from the soppy or straw, but will take water from them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233839 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:53:42 +0000 Jone0603 2233839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try formula in a sippy or straw cup maybe. It could just be the bottle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233838 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:48:30 +0000 raintreebee 2233838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@msplatypus: our pedi told me 16-24 oz was on track for that age. I would ask the pedi. Don't be embarrassed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233836 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:44:47 +0000 Truth Bombs 2233836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would cut back on solids. Prior to 1 her primary source of nutrition really should be breastmilk or formula. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-months-rejecting-formula-only-wants-solids#post-2233835 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:39:29 +0000 msplatypus 2233835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So lo decided this week that she doesn't really want her bottles anymore. We were doing 4 bottles a day 6 to 8oz and 3 small meals, mix of purees and finger foods. We are down to 3 bottles, I'm lucky to get 20oz in her and so I added a snack after her last nap with some water, I was worried she might get dehydrated. She also only wants to self feed. Is this okay, should I do something, I'm freaking out. I'm so embarrassed to call the ped as last time I took her in because a public health nurse who comes over told me lo had lost weight and we brought her in and she had gained right on target. Ftm problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1664572 Thu, 29 May 2014 07:50:42 +0000 mdf106 1664572@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use a consistent bedtime. LO's naps have generally been haphazard, but bedtime was always the same. Well, I have changed it over time, but not on a day-to-day basis. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663538 Wed, 28 May 2014 17:19:26 +0000 Sammyfab 1663538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: I can only tell you what's worked for us...and for the most part it's worked really well! The 2-3-4 schedule would not have worked for us because my LO needed a longer wake time before his first nap and a shorter wake time before bed. He was a great night sleeper so the consolidated sleep at night meant he needed more stimulating time in the morning to get a good nap. His afternoon nap was always short (45-60 minutes) so he needed less time before bed. We always based bedtime on the last nap until just before he turned 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663497 Wed, 28 May 2014 16:53:23 +0000 Zbug 1663497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mdf106: @illumina: @Sammyfab: thanks, guys! Have been aiming for a 2-3-4 schedule but maybe should try 3-3-3 instead. It's also hard to know whether to aim for a consistent bedtime or base it on last nap - especially when naps are currently a bit haphazard. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663489 Wed, 28 May 2014 16:50:26 +0000 Sammyfab 1663489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @illumina. She probably wasn't tired enough to sleep longer. Sleepy cues are less reliable after 4-5 months. Maybe try putting her down 15-20 minutes later than normal if she continues to wake up after 1 sleep cycle. Baby sleep is constantly changing and little adjustments here and there make a huge difference! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663453 Wed, 28 May 2014 16:29:18 +0000 illumina 1663453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: yes, wonder week over here too, exact same behaviour! It's tiring but getting out or having company over really helps! As for the naps, my LO is similar in that she often yawns a bit half an hour or so after waking, but we stick to the 3-3-3 ish schedule. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663415 Wed, 28 May 2014 16:04:59 +0000 mdf106 1663415@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a similar change happen at a similar age. Moving the first nap later helped. He had been going down a little over an hour after waking up, and I changed it to three hours. The morning nap had been creeping down to less than an hour, and returned to 1.5-2 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663326 Wed, 28 May 2014 15:29:56 +0000 Zbug 1663326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: you are so right! Just started a new thread to try to get more info. How are you guys holding up? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663271 Wed, 28 May 2014 15:13:20 +0000 jetsa 1663271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: yep 33.5-37.5 :( we're in the middle of it too </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663262 Wed, 28 May 2014 15:12:29 +0000 Zbug 1663262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jetsa: is there a week 34 wonder week? And please tell me it's not one of those that last for a month! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663254 Wed, 28 May 2014 15:10:22 +0000 jetsa 1663254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: sounds like a wonder week. J is super clingy right now and has been since this leap started. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663242 Wed, 28 May 2014 15:06:08 +0000 Zbug 1663242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She's also just acting a bit different. One minute she's fine playing on her mat while I clean up. The next I have to be holding her / even sitting with her on the mat isn't good enough. Also she will go from happy to fussing to laughing to yelling from one minute to the next. She's never really acted like this before. Teething? Wonder week? Maybe both of us are going crazy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663204 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:54:01 +0000 Zbug 1663204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@illumina: that's something to think abt. Today was weird. She woke up at 7 but started showing sleepy cues an hour later. I quickly tried to get her down, but she wasn't having it. I assumed she wasn't really tired and tried again at 9 (her usual nap time). She alternated playing and fussing for an hour before I gave up and took her on an ergo walk. She transferred to bed fine but was up 25 min later. Maybe I should try holding off till 3 hours despite sleepy cues. She rubs her eyes a lot but otherwise acts fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1663150 Wed, 28 May 2014 14:41:09 +0000 illumina 1663150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How long after wake up do you put her down for her 1st nap? It could be that she's not tired enough to sleep longer and you could try putting her down 30mins later?</p> <p>My LO is 8.5mths and she needs 3hrs at least of awake time before nap 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1662872 Wed, 28 May 2014 13:31:51 +0000 Smurfette 1662872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Zbug: Yep! Unfortunately there is one. R started with it at 8 months. Her's was waking up at 5 am every morning for a month and a half. Hope your LO gets through this faster! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1662856 Wed, 28 May 2014 13:29:10 +0000 Zbug 1662856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: oh jeez. That happens?!? She's always been a sleep fighter but this is worse than normal. She's actually not 8 mo for a few more days though. She's only been up 45 min and is already rubbing her eyes again!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1662791 Wed, 28 May 2014 13:11:28 +0000 Smurfette 1662791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could just be a phase. Maybe the 9 month regression early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-shortening-morning-nap#post-1662701 Wed, 28 May 2014 12:45:26 +0000 Zbug 1662701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After six months of catnaps, DD finally started taking a good morning nap of 1.5-2 hours every morning. The last few days, however, she's been waking up after about 40 minutes. She wakes up happy but then needs to go down for another nap earlier. It's totally messing up our nap schedule. Has anyone had this happen? Are we back to three naps a day? Help! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-feeding-timeline#post-1453828 Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:07:24 +0000 travellingbee 1453828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ours at that age was a little different because he wasn't still taking that late nap. So he woke at about 4 and breastfed. Then dinner at 6, then bath, etc. breastfeed at 7:30, then bed. Now we have dropped the 4pm feeding and he just gets bm at 730 before bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-feeding-timeline#post-1453790 Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:00:36 +0000 Ra 1453790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our day loosely looks like this:</p> <p>7:00- bottle<br /> 8:30-breakfast/solids<br /> 10:00- bottle before nap<br /> 1:00lunch/solids<br /> 3:00-bottle before nap<br /> 5:30- dinner/solids<br /> 7:00- bottle before bed</p> <p>Sometimes there will be an extra bottle thrown in if he's really hungry or if we are out when he'd usually get lunch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/8-month-old-feeding-timeline#post-1453749 Thu, 27 Feb 2014 10:52:58 +0000 lawbee11 1453749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@.twist.: LOL M is the same way about water. She doesn't understand the sippy cup either, but if I tilt it for her she'll chew on it and water will come out. She gives me the most disgusted look.</p> <p>I nurse M when we get home from daycare (around 5:00), then we feed her solids at 6 (she still doesn't eat much, though). We start bedtime routine at 6:30 and I nurse her again before bed around 6:45 (I don't think she eats much at this nursing session...it's more to just comfort her/relax her before bed). </p>