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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

13 month old relentlessly breast feeding at night

9 replies

WinkyWinkola · 09/05/2008 11:10

My DD is 13 months old. At night, she is on the breast constantly. She screams blue murder if I take her off.

Her cot is in our room (got builders in for the next 12 weeks so she doesn't have her own room) and she likes to sleep in our bed.

I think her being on the breast so much in the night is really draining me. And it makes me sore. She's got a great appetite for her meals so I don't really understand why she feels the need to bf so much at night.

She's keen on bfing during the day too but I don't mind that so much. I've tried giving her a bottle of formula instead. Occasionally she'll accept that but not often.

I'm really worn out and wonder if there are any tips people could give me to encourage her to sleep though and not need the breast at night?

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StealthPolarBear · 09/05/2008 11:14

Can you wear a bra and or pyjamas? So if she wakes for a feed you can feed her but she can't just help herself when she feels like it iyswim?
Sometimes when DS is doing this I turn my back on him - that sounds really harsh I don't mean when he's having a feed, just when he's using me as a dummy. When he wants a feed he lets me know by tapping me on the back

WinkyWinkola · 09/05/2008 11:18

I've tried turning my back and she throws a wobbly. DH gets woken up then.

Have I made a rod for my own back (I hate that expression!) by co sleeping and bfing?

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StealthPolarBear · 09/05/2008 11:21

has she always been like this or could she be a bit under the weather / teething at the moment?

PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife · 09/05/2008 11:25

Winky, bump this thread later this evening when everyone's around - I think you'll find more people with advice/experience.

don't think it's just what you've done that's giving you trouble, as I've done almost the same thing and having less trouble.

My ds is 13m next week and has just settled down to one feed a night, around 3am; his cot's at the end of our bed, he comes in with us when he feeds and I don't usually remember to put him back. However he has always been able to suck his fingers to get back to sleep and he usually does this, rather than staying on the breast too long.

which is no help to you, I know, sorry, just didn't want you feeling like it was all down to your actions iykwim!

Ceolas · 09/05/2008 11:29

Could he sleep next to DH, at his side of the bed?

WinkyWinkola · 09/05/2008 14:23

She's been like this for the last 8 weeks or so.

We'll try her sleeping on DH's side. He's really not good if he's not had enough sleep. Then, who is?

Thanks for sympathy and advice!

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Rosylily · 09/05/2008 14:36

I'm co-sleeping/breastfeeding my 14m who is like this some nights and it is very tiring.
He's been sleeping better after lots of outside play but he is waking up for the day at 4.30am at the moment...though that's another story.

I do the turning my back thing aswell and he'll usually turn over too and go to sleep.

Not sure what you can do to change her habit....you must be worn out!

Tapster · 09/05/2008 18:37

Sorry i just think sleeping in the same room as you she is going to do this. Now she is a routine of being BF to sleep - she is not going to sleep through by magic without any screaming can either DD or DH sleep in another room despite the builders? Get a futon for DH - 12 weeks with no sleep is not fun. Even then I think it will be much easier if the baby is in another room. It is so easy to feed them to sleep for a bit more sleep, I know I've been there. I did get tough at 12 months and for the past 6 months DD does sleep through most nights, a "gentle" CC worked in just 2 nights.

WinkyWinkola · 09/05/2008 21:04

Yeah, DH is grabbing a futon and going to sleep in DS's room. He's a bit resentful though because he feels we never have close contact anymore. I try to reassure that it's not forever (once we've had our quota of children ) but he doesn't really see it that way!

DS only started sleeping through at 30 months. Perhaps this is what is just meant to be because breastfeeding gives comfort etc?

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