Night feeding!!!!

[meowcatuk]

Hi,

My 14 month old daughter has started waking up for one or two feeds during the night - this started as she was very ill and now has just got into a habit.

I have been to the health visitor and they have said it is a behaviour problem, I have tried to cut them out but it is hell. My friend has mentioned weaning her off it. Any ideas on how to do this.

She is currently drinking 5 ouces during each feed.

You could reduce the feeds gradually and then replace with water. The idea is that after a while, she will feel that it is not worth waking up and calling you for some water.

I have had a similar problem. My baby started sleeping through at 6 months, but has been ill for 7 months continuously with minor illnesses. Each time he picks up the next bug he wants milk in the night again, especially if he's not eating properly. My Health Visitor says cut it down gradually - i.e. 6 oz water and 3 scoops formula for 3 days, then 5 oz water and 3 scoops formula for 3 days, then 5 oz water and 2 scoops formula for 3 days etc.

I have had success with this a few times. But of course he keeps getting ill, so back to 7 oz water 3 scoops formula again at them moment! Good luck.

I've been going through this too! My 13 month old DD slept through from a very early age and then started sleeping terribly from christmas.

I have tried all kinds of things but two things have really helped, which you could try.

Firstly, just before bed, try and give her some porridge in addition to her evening meal. Then give her a dream feed at about 10:30. Using both these methods has made her sleep through till about 6:30.

This is definitely a habit, at this age your DD should not need to feed in the night at all, you will need to work on increasing her food intake during the day, plus how much milk on average is she drinking during the day ?

are you giving her protein at lunch and carbs at tea-time ?

Plus what is her sleeping like at night ususally i.e before she was ill ?

She should be having a minimum of 12 oz and a max of 20oz of milk per day split into 2-3 feeds, Ideally from a beaker now, if you are still using a bottle this could explain why she is drinking so much.

If it is a sleep problem then you will need her to learn to re-settle herself and this may involve some form of sleep training

Hth

lol
Cate