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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Toddler - 16 months - 4 bottles of milk a night?

25 replies

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 21:57

Should I go to the doctor or am I just being soft? My baby/toddler of 16 months goes to sleep at night, 7-ish, after a bottle of milk (SMA) and then wakes about 3 more times in the night for nappy change/another bottle. I am so exhausted that I have ended up carting him into bed with me when he first wakes and taking it from there. He eats loads during the day but doesnt drink much until night. poo is kind of normal, a bit hard sometimes. How can I get out of this cycle without waking the street???

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PureQuintessence · 12/01/2013 21:58

Dont worry about waking your street! Your baby needs to learn good sleeping habits, he does not need to eat at night!

PoppyWearer · 12/01/2013 22:01

My 16mo also guzzling about two bottles a night at the moment, but also eating well during the day.

He is our DC2 and drinking more than DC1 did at this age at night.

There was another 16mo thread yesterday or day before and someone said they are developing a lot at this age, could be that and a growth spurt?

Original poster

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 22:03

Thanks PureQ, I didn't mention that I also have twin toddlers of 2 and a half, so I suppose I am trying to keep them asleep too because when all 3 wake it is hell .... Maybe I should though just let them get used to the noise, after all, the twins manage to sleep through each others' activities..

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NaturalBaby · 12/01/2013 22:04

What have you tried? How much is he drinking at night? I wouldn't have thought a toddler would be eating a huge amount during the day if they are having 4 bottles of formula milk at night.

If he is used to having a big quantity overnight then I would suggest cutting down the amount gradually so his body gets used to it.

McPhee · 12/01/2013 22:05

Is there a medical reason he is still having formula?

Original poster

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 22:05

Ah PoppyW- I had forgotten about the dreaded growth spurts, please let that be it... he has become rather more round recently. Someone suggested I water down the liquids over weeks until it is water almost, what do you think?

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SamSmalaidh · 12/01/2013 22:07

You don't need to go to the doctor, you just need to cut down on the milk! Children need about 12oz of cow's milk a day at this age. I would switch to cow's milk in a cup and your DS will probably cut down himself - if he wakes in the night just offer water.

Really you should be brushing his teeth after bedtime milk too - all that milk in the night isn't good for his teeth, especially from a bottle.

Original poster

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 22:08

Hmmm, still on formula because he was a bit perm, and when I tried normal milk a couple of months ago he was quite sick, so I just reverted to formula. Yes - he shoves the food in during the day in fistfulls, until he just is full and then knocks everyhting on the floor - grrrrrr. Should I give him a late supper maybe?

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saycheeeeeese · 12/01/2013 22:09

Thats a lot of milk, by this age he shouldnt be so reliant!
Have you tried offering water? Doed he get a supper before bed? 15mo DD gets a small cup of milk and a slice of toast right before bed, she sleeps 13 hours usually.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 12/01/2013 22:13

Oh wow. This is such a relief. I thought all ff babies were well over the waking at night stage. DS still wakes two or three times a night for milk & now I have a defence when Dh says we have to stop bfing.

Sorry op. I know that doesn't help you!

SamSmalaidh · 12/01/2013 22:14

No chance I'd be breastfeeding a toddler at night either, but I like my sleep

Original poster

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 22:17

Dear say cheese, I love your baby! my older ones are like that ... and A TruthUA - when you wake tonight you are not alone! The trouble is that they are so cuddly at this age and having them in your arms in bed asleep is just gorgeous - but the wet nappies and head kicking is not good. And he needs to get more independent. As Michael MacIntyre would say - Good Luck!

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PoppyWearer · 12/01/2013 22:19

I would still be bf'ing now but had to stop 6 weeks ago for medical reasons (mine, not his).

I am also feeding my 16mo out of fear of waking his big sister, OP. Although she actually doesn't always wake when he cries.

From experience with my DC1, you (we) need to go cold turkey, offer only water and after 2-3 nights all will be sorted.

But....first you need to be ready to do it! I'm not, it would need my DH to be able to support me (dealing with DC2 if she wakes, helping with DC1 if he gets too much) and he is so busy at work, and about to go away on business...

Original poster

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 22:19

Logging off for now, goodnight from Devon.

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PoppyWearer · 12/01/2013 22:20

I secretly love the snuggles too....but yes, have to change nappies at least once a night, and wash sheets a lot too!

Original poster

Caterpillars · 12/01/2013 22:21

Dear PoppyW - just seen your post. Agree entirely. We do need to go cold turkey - lots of fresh air and exercise for the others to encourage sleep, and no work the next day, and grandma on hand etc etc. Goodnight from me and thanks everyone. I do love mums net.

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 12/01/2013 22:22

If you want to stop, you can, you will just need to go cold turkey. It wilk take about a week. It will be hard, but worth it. We did it at 11months with dd and she now goes 13hrs without a peep.

saycheeeeeese · 12/01/2013 22:26

And definitely try a supper!!

dizzy77 · 12/01/2013 22:27

We had this at a similar stage with DS back in November: he was waking screaming, only happy if he played out of the cot and milk seemed to calm him. We got through gallons of readymix it seemed and were going mad with sleep deprivation. I think it was a combination of development, growth and sleep.

Sleep trained in the end with cc (leave for 1 min, return & settle, leave for 2 min, return up to a max of 5min away, repeat 5 min if necessary). We got to 3 min on on 2 nights, 2 min on the 3rd before he cracked it (you're supposed to keep at it for 4). We still do it now if he wakes rather than offer milk, usually by min 2 he goes back off.

VisualiseAHorse · 12/01/2013 22:38

If you're worried about sleep training waking people, just let them know in advance!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/01/2013 09:58

atruth think that is just what the formula companies want you to believe .

Do you want to reduce the night feelings, and if so I think DH is going to have to step up. What have you tried so far? Have you read ways to get your baby to sleep or 12alternatives for the all night nurser? You might also like the books No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley and sound sleep by Sarah Woodhouse. This website is pretty reassuring too .

OP haven't got any experience of ff but have a read of the 31 ways and the 12 alternatives, there may be some tips you can apply. The sound sleep book covers ff and bf babies so that might be of interest too

PoppyWearer · 13/01/2013 12:14

My DS guzzled two of the small bottles of ready mix last night (his tummy was actually rumbling). He then woke up and wolfed down his breakfast, toast and weetabix! This was after a big tea of pasta and yoghurt, although he didn't finish the yoghurt, pushed my hand away and didn't eat more when I gave him the spoon.

So he does appear to be genuinely hungry at nights. Think I'll give the supper a go!

zebedeethezebra · 14/01/2013 16:16

I would advise switching to water in the middle of the night. Milk at night is terribly bad for their teeth and they do not need it at that age.

babySophieRose · 14/01/2013 20:40

Well, breast milk, formula, cow's milk, this is a choice everyone makes for themselves. I prefer formula, it is my choice, as my DD 14 months gets diaria from cows milk. How much? Every baby is different, can't always go with guidelines. Just try to give water first during the night and if can't go to sleep, then offer milk. My DD has one or two bottles during the night, second one is more early morning. It will pass.

Original poster

Caterpillars · 21/01/2013 13:58

Dear All - the night I posted my plea for help was a miracle. I had done nothing different but he decided, that night, to sleep through for the first time ever. I still cannot believe it as a week later he now loves his cot and refuses any milk after his night time bottle. If he wakes I just ignore him, or go in and rearrange his blankets and leave. Perhaps it was a massive growth spurt. Perhaps he could pick up the threat of night-training. It is such a relief. I am beginning to feel human again. Thank you everyone. xxxxxx

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