What foods last the longest?

[WWmama]

My son has recently been waking up every four hours with a growling belly. We just moved him up to 6 oz of formula from 4 oz. We have also tried rice, oatmeal, and baby food (last night was the first for baby food) and nothing seems to keep him full for more than the four hours. I feel so bad when I feel his little belly growl. I don't want to starve him! What foods seem to stick around the longest?

[MommaC]

How old is he? Every four hours is reasonable during the day, but he should definitely be sleeping through the night. Cereals generally stick with them longer than fruits and vegetables. If he's old enough, protein is a good idea.

[WWmama]

He is 4 1/2 months. He was sleeping through the night at 2 months old, but hasn't been for a while now.

[MommaC]

Okey doke. So you know he has the ability to sleep through the night. That's good! Typically pediatricians recommend not introducing foods until 6 months, but we also introduced the cereal at 4 months for the sake of our sleeping sanity. We started by mixing 2 oz (1/4 cup) formula with as much cereal as it took to make it the right consistency. Could the night waking be for another reason? Is he teething? Ear infection? Too hot/cold? In "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child", Dr. Marc Weissbluth asserts that feeding has little to do with sleeping through the night (past a certain age, of course). Since your baby does know how to sleep through the night, he should be. Hunger shouldn't wake him. However, if he's waking for another reason, he may then realize he's hungry and let you know it. Also, these night feedings have probably become a habit. (I say this because he WAS sleeping through the night at one point and is now waking to eat regularly.) If crying it out isn't an option, try weaning him off it. Feed him a little less every time he wakes. Try switching to water. The idea is to make it less and less rewarding to wake up and scream. ;) Keep your interaction to a minimum. Keep the lights low. Be as quick about it as you can and get him back to bed right away. And check out Weissbluth's book if you have time. I'm sure I don't remember everything. Good luck!

[WWmama]

I'm not sure if something else could be waking him? I just assumed it was from hunger since his belly was growling. I'll give your advice a try. Thank you for your help!

[WWmama]

My baby slept all night last night! YAY YAY YAY!!

3T of oatmeal for breakfast, 3T of oatmeal for lunch, and 2T of oatmeal & 1/2 jar of baby food for dinner, plus regular formula throughout the day seemed to do the trick! I just hope last night wasn't a fluke. =)