My 5 month old baby was sleeping really well overnight but now he wakes and wants a feed. What should I do?

By 4 months of age the infant’s “circadian rhythm”, or the 24 hour clock that controls the sleep/wake cycle, is more developed. However, nightwaking for infants is normal. A hungry infant can be soothed back to sleep without a feed, but will continue to wake frequently. Many babies require night feeds for some months.

The challenge for parents is to support the infant in establishing age-appropriate sleep associations and routines that incorporate sleep, play and feed times.

A routine is a set pattern of behavioural cues which signal to the infant that bedtime is approaching. Routines may include activities such as bath time, quiet story time, a particular song, cuddles, certain verbal phrases, a goodnight kiss.

Sleep associations create the conditions under which babies can fall asleep.

They can be associated with the parent/s or be baby led. For example, putting your baby into the cot awake, helps baby to associate being placed in the cot with going to sleep. Then parent/s could use strategies such as a gentle “Ssshhh” sound, or rhythmic patting or stroking until baby is calm. Over time the parent gradually reduces the comforting strategies as the infant learns to calm with less intervention.

If the baby is calm when placed in the cot, settling strategies may not be necessary. Watch your baby and respond as necessary. The parent’s role is to provide reassurance and support while also providing some ‘space’ so baby can discover their own means of going to sleep.

Listen to and look at the infant’s cues and respond to the cry with settling strategies such as –

  • gentle “Ssshhh” sounds
  • gentle rhythmic patting, rocking or stroking
  • talking quietly, using comforting tones
  • applying gentle contact on infant’s abdomen, leg or arm

If not settling, try the following strategies: –

  • Turn baby slightly to the side until calm, then gradually turn baby onto his back while continuing to settle.
  • Sit the infant up in his cot – allowing him to bring up wind
  • Pick up the infant and comfort. Stay near the cot and return the your baby to the cot once calm.
  • If your baby is not responding and is becoming distressed, consider other strategies – e.g. cuddling, rhythmical movement, walking in the pram, relaxation bath, infant massage, giving a feed.