Feeding during the night and supply

[MotherforkingShirtballs]

DC is nearly 18mo and during the day typically BFs at breakfast and bedtime, sometimes she will have one in the mid-afternoon if we're at home but doesn't tend to want it if we're out and about. She goes to bed at 7-8pm then will wake at least once during the night for a feed, anywhere between 11pm and 3am. I don't think she actually needs the feed and is only waking out of habit, once she's had a few swallows she seems to be using me as a dummy and sucking for comfort. She won't take an actual dummy, I've tried.

I was thinking of getting DH to give her a bottle when she wakes during the night and supervising her while she drinks it herself (which she prefers to do on the occasions she has one) then reducing the amount of milk in the bottle over a few nights until she stops waking up for it.

This won't affect my supply for during the day, will it? HV drums it in at play&stay group that it's night feeds that keep your supply going but I'm so tired from not slept a full night in over a year!

I don’t think it will affect your supply at this stage no, lots of people seem to night wean around this age and still BF in the day. Have you thought of doing the Dr Jay Gordon’s night Weaning method instead of introducing a bottle? That way she only has to get used to one change, instead of two

You're not supposed to use a bottle over the age of one anyway and it'd be absolutely dreadful for her teeth

Suppose your DH could offer some water and a cuddle? ANd if that really doesn't cut it, boob

One of my other DC was bottle fed and still had a bottle at around midnight at this age, our dentist was absolutely fine when I mentioned it at the time as was the HV and both said do what works for you. It wouldn't be a long term thing anyway, only a few nights until she realises there'll be no boob.

It really won't affect your supply at this point when you are well established. I night weaned DD at 11 months and still feeding twice a day at 2. I even went 2-3 days with no feeds at Christmas as she didn't want it when we were away and she resumed on her return!

Fingers crossed you can offer it just for 3 nights or so and then she will stop bothering to wake up. Even if she does still wake, at least you can share the load! When I weaned, we offered water on the first night but this was rejected!