How often does BF 7mo old need to feed in the night?

[NoodleBugs]

We've been working really hard to help my nearly 7 month old DS learn to sleep for more than 20 minutes at a time, and are finally getting there. He now has a BF at 7:30 and will settle himself to sleep after this (instead of falling to sleep feeding and me putting him down). For a couple of nights he did brilliantly and slept for about 5 hours before waking for a feed, and going back to sleep again without a problem.

Now though, he does the same - goes to sleep by himself - but wakes after 2.5 - 3 hours and absolutely will not settle until he's had a feed. So I feed him and he goes back to sleep for another 2.5 hours. Repeat until morning.

It's great that he's able to settle himself, but I wondered how often he should need to feed at night. Surely he doesn't actually need to feed so often? I ask because I will need to stop breastfeeding in the next couple of months as I prepare for returning to work. He can drink from a sippy cup in the day and will happily guzzle water or juice, but only wants milk at night. He isn't overly keen on a bottle, but would take one if hungry enough. No chance at night!

If I don't feed him he gets angrier and angrier until my eardrums feel like they'll explode. Absolutely nothing else will pacify him.

Any ideas whether he could actually be hungry this often, or whether it's for comfort. If it's for comfort (at least some of the time) how might I be able to wean him off this and start to help him settle without the breast?

You've had some great advice, but just an anecdote about not worrying...

DD1 was rather like your DS at 7 months. I went back to work at 11 months, by which time she had dropped night feeds and, with very little gentle encouragement, also dropped most daytime feeds. She also, pretty suddenly, started mostly sleeping through the night. Your DS will be eating more solids, be a lot bigger and generally a lot more adaptable by the time you go back. Really try not to worry too soon.

As someone who panicked from birth about the return to work (part time at a month, ft at a year) I would say you're definitely panicking too early

DD was also a high needs baby and woke/fed 2 hourly until close to a year. By 10 months I was back doing odd hours as and when I needed to and DH was able to soothe her as well. They get a lot more flexible quite quickly.

DH was also a SAHD

I'm lurking on this thread for no real reason (my DS has just abruptly self weaned at 17 months, I think I'm a bit lost!) - I'm de-cloaking briefly to sayorganiccarrotcake, I think your advice is bloody marvellous. I wish I had posted when my DS was 7 months old and everyone seemed to be telling me he didn't 'need' to feed at night!

Aww thank you fruitybread :)

Forgive me for possibly speaking out of term but 17 months is unusual to self-wean, especially abruptly, and if you feel that it's not the right time it might be worth considering starting a thread to discuss options?

I did carrotcake - here - m.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding/1366137-Nursing-strike-or-sudden-weaning

Day 4 of no bf-ing now. Feeling sadder and sadder about it as another day goes by without DS wanting any boobs. Don't know whether to persist or try and move on. Any advice welcome (on other thread, don't want to hijack this one)

It may sound like a daft question but is he actually drinking much at night?

DD is 8mo and until a month ago I was bfing her 2 to 3 times a night. Then DH took over for a night (with bottles obviously ) and it turned out she hardly drank at all.

I decided to stop bfing during the night and offer a cuddle instead to break the habit. The first night she cried for 5/10 min in my arms then went back to sleep. Did it 3 times. Now she goes back to sleep after I have picked her up and soothed her.

Only problem is, she still wakes up, but at least I know she is not hungry.

So basically I haven't really got a solution for you but just a suggestion that food may not be what your DS is looking for?

Caffeine, although he is drinking, I'm not sure how much. He isn't happy with a cuddle (I've tried) and isn't keen on a bottle. DH is going to try him with a bottle of expressed milk today to try (although I can't express when I go back to work we thought it might be an easier way to convince him to have a bottle for now). Seems breast is the best comforter I can offer. I did like the suggestion of tucking a comforter in my bra though, and will definitely try that (bizarre as it sounds )

People here have made me realise that 3 months really is a long time and things may well change by then. I might be back here in a month or two for some more advice, but until then, thank you all for your wonderful support, particularly Organic - You've been especially helpful and it's appreciated :)

Good luck with the bottle, I hope it works (it changed my life when DH was able to take over every once in a while).

DD wasn't keen at first either but she eventually took expressed milk if DH was giving it. Then we started mixing it with formula and gradually increasing the proportion of formula. Eventually she would be equally happy with bottle or breast, expressed milk or formula, and it made life a bit easier for the whole family.

Best of luck, do keep us updated!

That's a really good idea caffeine. Will make that the plan. Thanks :)

:) Hope things work out ok for you, noodle