WEANING OFF BREAST AT NIGHT

9 replies

foxy1 · 22/04/2006 00:09

Hello - my son is 12 months old and drinks cows milk from a cup during the day but at night he has got into a routine of waking up 2 or 3 times and I am breastfeeding him . He has a bath and thenI breastfeed him at 7.30 but he normally wakes up at 11.00pm and then at 2am, and 5 pm.He used to sleep through but now wakes 2 - 3 times. I want to find out what is the best way to get him to sleep through the night. I have found that when he is half a sleep/really tired he will not take milk from a cup only breast. Not sure what to do but want to stop breast feeding as I have not had any periods yet and want to start trying for another baby. Any ideas ?? Many thanks Fox

OP posts:

starlover · 22/04/2006 00:10

will he take water instead?

Original poster

foxy1 · 22/04/2006 00:11

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Original poster

foxy1 · 22/04/2006 00:13

HI - wows that quick reply!! When he is half a sleep the idea of a cup in his mouth just makes him upset and distressed - mayve I should try water - haven't tried this at night.

OP posts:

starlover · 22/04/2006 00:13

you could try just reducing the feed bit by bit

Original poster

foxy1 · 22/04/2006 00:14

that sounds like a good idea. I think he is waking up through habit. Need to break the habit.

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 22/04/2006 00:17

When my DS was waking in the night i decided one night to camp up in his room, make it comfortable and if he woke up, i would pat him on his chest or back and keep laying him back down if he sat up etc. The first night it took me 4 hours to get him back to sleep. The second night he woke breifly.

I havent looked back since.

It was a really tough 4 hours that first night, but, i KNEW that he couldnt be hungry or thirsty (having slept through till 5am on quite a few occasions here and there). HE was having 4 good b/feeds during the day, and eating 3 meals.

If your DS is having 4 cups of milk a day and 3 meals i would say he doesnt really need anything in the night.

Possibly offer water, but i think he is comfort feeding tbh.

CorrieDale · 22/04/2006 13:48

Inspired by VQQ, I got my DH to help out with night-weaning over Easter. He cuddled, shushed and patted when DS woke. Took 2 hours the first night, then 1, then 1 1/2, then he slept through for two nights . I did night-duty last night and we were up for 2 hours but DS is teething and his tummy is upset. I didn't feed him and he didn't 'ask' to be fed - not even after he'd been a bit sick. It hasn't been fun, but I've been surprised by how quickly DS has learnt that feeding occurs only during the day. Doubt if he'd have learned so quickly if I'd been the one starting off the process...

bobblehead · 22/04/2006 15:40

I also just stopped feeding at night and cuddled and rocked instead. Took 3 hrs the first night and while we still have the odd bad night thats just cos she has trouble dropping back off to sleep, she isn't really looking for a breastfeed. She does wake far less often now and since stopping ( a month ago) has slept through around 4 times (last night being one of them). I also kept offering milk/water in a cup and now she will take it if hungry/thirsty but was initially outraged in her sleepy state!

Original poster

foxy1 · 22/04/2006 20:58

Thank you everyone for your advice. really appreciate it!! :)

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