'Need for milk peaks at 18 months'

[Oscalito]

I'm sure I've read this somewhere... my DS is now 18 months and seems to be waking up more than ever for a BF. I'm exhausted and considering weaning him completely, as we are also TTC and my GP told me it can affect that.

Did anyone else experience a big surge in nighttime feeding around 18 months? We co-sleep and there did seem to be a point where he was sleeping for quite long periods but there's been a big regression.... not really sure what I'm asking, just want a miracle cure and a decent night's sleep!

Think I've read that somewhere too Osca, hopefully someone who knows will be along soon.

Can't link at the moment but for the sleep have a look at www.asksears.com 12 alternatives for the all night nurser and for the TTC have a look at Kellymom Fertility.

Have you thought about sticking him in his own room too? Both of mine wanted less when it wasn't right there.

Oh and have a look at Kellymom Sleep Regression too.

Sounds like the 18 month sleep regression. 18-21 months is 'the mother of all developmental leaps' according to one developmental psychologist.

There's more on the sleep regression here.

Was your GP saying that the tiredness or the bf was likely to affect TTC? I think tiredness probably does (I had low-iron-level-related exhaustion for 7 months when unsuccessfully TTC but got BPF as soon as I started taking iron supplements). If you're ovulating, I don't think that bf'ing causes problems in conceiving for most women. But Kellymom is definitely the place to look for more info.

Given that the waking is probably developmental, you may find that weaning now doesn't reduce the number of night wakings. You could always try night weaning, but it's often unsuccessful during sleep regressions / developmental leaps.

Would love to stick him in his own room [JJJ] but we're currently in a one-bed flat as we've just moved countries. Will have a look at Kellymom. Last night and today I tried feeding him away from the bed to try as I think it's the feeding to sleep that now needs to stop - perhaps if he learns to fall asleep without bfing he'll be able to get himself back to sleep at night.... last night was a bit better - he went from about 8pm to 2am without disturbing me, and today we both had a long nap as I was knackered and he must have been also.

'Mother of all Sleep regressions' - that is oddly the kind of thing I wanted to hear [Angeldog]. If I know it's just a stage (and of course it is, he's a toddler) then I can handle it. I'd just forgotten how flat lack of sleep makes you feel.

THe GP said something along the lines of 'oh, your hormones will be all over the place, it will be hard to conceive.' Something to do with prolactin? But who knows. Anyway sometimes it does take time, so I will give it another six months and see what happens. I'm 37 in August so don't want to mess around for too long, but at the same time I only want one more so will try not to panic. I think my iron levels are OK but I could probably get a bit healthier generally. Gotta go, bed time is not going well.

thanks so much for your words of wisdom.

If its any help I conceived twice whilst still feeding DC1 and I was 37 and 38, it can be done, have a look here .

Good. It's so much easier to handle when you know it's a phase, isn't it?

I think prolactin levels are a bit higher, but not that much higher for longer-term bf. AFAIK, other hormone levels are pretty much the same as for non-bf'ing mothers.

I conceived on the first attempt when 2 y.o. DS was feeding 6-8 times a day and 1-5 times a night (mostly big feeds too).

Oh I am not alone, thank goodness! We're having exactly the same issues here with nearly 18 mo dd.

I. Am. Exhausted...

Watching this thread with interest.

Thanks JJJ and Angeldog - good to hear you both conceived in similar circumstances. I know it will happen and it's just a matter of being patient but until you get those two blue lines.... and for some reason I am feeling terribly broody right now

The DS does seem to have changed overnight - looks and seems older, so I'm sure it was a developmental leap.

GTVM - it's awful isn't it? Do try and nap/early night/anything. Lack of sleep just makes it all seem worse than it is..... good luck with tonight

Hey Oscar - just to add, my DD had a mahoosive spike in feeding when she was 18 months. Going from 2 a day (morning and evening) to all the bleeding time. And guess what? During that spike I somehow managed to conceive twin boys! So be careful what you wish for!

My DS turns 18 mo next week, and is after 'ma' (his word for milk) literally all the time. Every time he sees me, whenever I sit in the sofa, it literally never stops. He wants to be read stories and BF nonstop. He must be having 7-8 big feeds a day plus sucking every time I sit down. Wen I am cooking and cleaning he chases me asking for ma, in the swimming pool, in the car, on play dates...

He has however been sleeping 7.30pm - 5am for almost two weeks which is a bloody miracle as all his life he has been waking me every three hours. So I am rolling with all the ma demands because I read somewhere that tanking up and feeding in demand during day will help with night weaning or self settling and sleeping through night.

I'm SAHM so I can offer endless day feeds, you may not be able to. But you have my sympathy and I am interested to hear of the need for milk peaking at 18mo because that certainly seems to be the case here...

Rednellie that's encouraging.... conceiving twins definitely would solve the question of whether to stop at two or have a happy not-so-accident at 40 . There does seem to be a lot of mums with toddlers that look a bit older than mine and a baby bump at the moment, so perhaps there is something about the 18 mo period that makes conception more likely....? who knows.... clutches straw

napdamnyou that is interesting - i have wondered if I should be feeding more during the day. Might try that... although have just ditched the worn-out nursing bras for some proper ones and am reluctant to go back.... stilll anything for sleep. I am also an SAHM so could give it a shot... thanks for that tip.