night feeds getting silly

[somewhathorrified]

Ds is 7mo old and waking at least every 2 hrs for a feed, last night he was up 7 times and that's not abnormal. I'm shattered. He now refuses bottle so I'm stuck doing all the feeds (DH used to take the 3 am to 7 am shift, which consisted of me waking him up to tell him to go do it, but it was better than nothing) and now refuses to be settled with anything other than a boob. This has been steadily getting worse since he was 4 months and a growth spurt, then teething , then ridiculous bedroom temp, more teething, now he's crawling. He does take a couple of good feeds during the night, but I'm aware that the rest of the time he's mummy dummying. Any ideas what I can do about this, or even if there's a reason for it. He has 3 good meals during the day and boob at least 4 times (although they're not always great feeds). Any advice welcome. Right going to have a nap quickly while He's asleep. thanks in advance.

Totally normal behaviour, both mine did this, but if you've reached a point where you know he could put himself back to sleep (in your judgement) then the way we did it was DP would settle them back down. If you try, 1. they know you've got the boobs, 2. you know you've got the boobs and it's too easy to give in, 3. you're knackered and it's your DH's turn. It will be tough for the first few nights, but I used to tell DP he had to find his own ways of settling them as it's all part of being a great dad

Is your DS in his own room yet? Mine got better at sleeping them, plus weren't waking each other up and I couldn't hear every snuffle.

Sounds very much like my DS was with his so-called 'sleeping' at night. It's bloody tough and you have my sympathy.

What we did with DS, is select a feed to drop and then when he woke up we'd sit with him and cuddle him (while he cried ) until he went back to sleep. He'd stay awake for less time each night and then wouldn't wake up for that feed at all after a few nights.

He co-slept with us most nights from about 4am too, not what we really wanted but it meant we all got better sleep.

You're going to hate me for saying this but our DS only started sleeping through consistently at about 20 months, until then we'd have a few good nights then would start waking up with teething or something. Really hope yours does it sooner!

Forgot about co-sleeping! I'd get up once to do a feed then send DP in after that, then if it was after about 4am, would bring the baby into our bed so we could all go back to sleep. Whatever works and you're happy with. But it will pass.

Thanks for the replies.

We are currently using a side cot thing at about 4.30-5 am he decides it's playtime and I have to bring him into bed with me, where upon he lies there with boob in mouth until about 6.30. Dh got to the point of just getting back into bed and leaving LO to it saying "he didn't know what else to do", not overly helpful, but I do understand what he means.

TBH I can't even bring myself to think about putting him in his own room yet...I know I'm too soft. I know I'd just fall asleep on the floor in there!

Sounds perfectly normal to me too, but I know its tough when you are going through it. I think its partly to do with your milk being at its best at this time.

Have you tried increasing the food and feeds he gets during the day? I've also heard of some Mums expressing in the morning and then giving this bottle after the last feed in the evening.