14 month old still waking for a feed, really?

[mouley]

I really thought I would have cracked this by now but 14 months of waking in the night I am so tired I do not have the energy for controlled crying plus my daughter is so loud and gets so angry the noise is too annoying.
I have tried placating her with water as per the HV's instructions but to no avail, it works sometimes but usually within 30 minutes (just as I have nodded back off) she starts crying again. Any useful advice would be appreciated.

I'm assuming it's a breastfeed and about comfort at least as much as nutrition. is it literally 'a' feed - I.e. one? in which case I wouldn't worry too much, or is it lots of them....in which case I feel your pain - I night -weaned dc3 at 17 months after 5-ish waking per night for the last 17 months and couldn't take it any more. I needed my husband's help (if he went in, she knew no boobs would be forthcoming) and it needed perseverance, but we were done within a week

Yes, is it one or lots. I am guessing lots if you are exhausted and despairing.

How did you get on last night Mouley? I have a 12 month old DD who is BF that I would like to night wean. Usually she is up 3 times (sometimes 4 ) and I am fed up with it all now!
Last night she didn't do too bad, she was in bed by 6.00pm, up at 1.30am and 5.15am and has now settled back off again after me feeding her each time! I want to stop feeding her but have no idea how seeing as she isn't eating enough solids in the day as she's feeding at night...

It's awful, isn't it. The only way through it is to stop offering milk. That means crying, but no need for the controlled bit - we comforted DD - or at least tried to! - when we night weaned. She cried, but we held her and talked to her, and in a few days she was sleeping through. Screw your nerve, you can do it.

Yes, I did this with my 14 month old 3 weeks ago. 1st night 90 mins crying, I got in cot with him (he was pushing me away if I just picked him up), second night 60 mins, 3rd night much easier to settle (although maybe more wake ups) didn't have to get in cot or pick him up, since then no night time feeding and a few nights where he hasn't woken, some where we have gone to him briefly, some eg 5am wakings where he has seemed more awake so we've brought him into our bed and he's settled back to sleep.

It can be done, but like all behavior changes you have to be sure it's what you want and you're ready for it.

I've been doing it with my 13 month dd for the last couple of weeks. First nights were terrible and I had to move to the spare room so as she would settle with dh. Now she started accepting water but still cries when she wants some and doesn't get it. I've been trying to increase her daily intake of milk- bottles from childminder and boob when I'm back from work till bedtime. It does get a bit easier but it's a battle of wills. Good luck