Going round the twist...help please

[cupcake78]

DS wakes during the night for milk anything from twice to 4 times. Spoke to HV who has suggested that as he is one it's time to break the cycle!

So last night 2.00am wh woke and we didn't feed him, listened to him cry for over an hour and periodically went in to calm him down etc.

Today he is being a nightmare!! where as before he would go down for his napp, not anymore - he's screaming etc. Hes been refusing his food but eating some of mine (this is not normal for him.)

I've been told to continue this for a week to break the cycle as he's not eating enough solid food during the day to sustain him all night.

Only one problem --- our mental health!!
I know i'm less than 24hrs in but ds is obviously gutted and I feel so guilty.

[ajm200]

Could he be teething and off his food so needing to fill up on milk?

Could you try introducing a carb based bedtime snack last thing at night to help keep him full longer.

If he keeps demanding a bottle and you think he doesn't need it and is just using it for comfort you could gradually reduce the amount and watering it down gradually an oz at time until it has no appeal to him.

I've been in your situation several times as my LO got his teeth from 13/14 months onwards and would wake at all hours hungry because he'd found it too painful to eat enough during the day.

[cupcake78]

No its not his teeth. He's been like this from 6mths old. Have tried everything from snacks to reducing milk and introducing water. Hence last resort, which is starting to seem a little drastic.

Worried i'm making it worse rather than better.

[Jojay]

I think I would try cutting the night feeds down gradually rather than going cold turkey all at once - less stresful for everyone involved.

Is he formula or breast fed?

If formula, just make up an ounce less every few days and try and phase them out that way, or water them down , ie use the same amount of water but one less scoop of powder. Cut back gradually until it's virtually plain water - hopefully he'll decide it's not worth waking for!

If he's breast fed, try cutting the length of the feeds, or replacing them with a beaker full of water.

If none of this works after a few weeks, then you may have to go cold turkey, but I'd try this first.

HTH

[cupcake78]

He will not eat snacks, btw and refuses water.

[cupcake78]

Thanks jojay, but tried it all. So been advised cold turkey is the way.

I've got to admit ds has us rapped around his little finger. The kids got stamina! I know it will serve him will through his life.

[ajm200]

I sympathise cupcake. I hope he gets the idea quickly so minimise the disruption and heartache for all of you.

Good luck

[Sam100]

I have every sympathy for you cupcake - I have had 3 dc all like this although last one (ds) was the worst! None of them slept through without a night feed until at least 1. The two girls eventually sorted themselves out and it coincided with them learning to walk and becoming more physically active during the daytime and eating more substantial meals. DS showed no signs of doing the same so I had to do the training thing - would go in when he woke and cuddle him, dark room, keep repeating "its bedtime" over and over until he calmed down, then back into bed. But he did get there in the end - occasional hiccups even now when he will wake and want milk in the night (he is now 2). Persevere - it will get better. They say it takes only 3 days to change a habit at this age - but I'd say more like a week or two.