How will he know difference between whe in going to feed him and when I'm not?

[NoMoreNurseryRhymesPlease]

I have a 10 month EBF. Sleep has become awful in past 6 weeks. Really really awful in last few nights. For reference, used to put him down easily at 7, he'd sleep til 1 or 2 then I'd feed him once or twice before the morning

Last night he woke screaming 6 times between 7 and 10, then I think I fed him at 11,1 and 3. I've been working on the assumption it's regression and separation anxiety, so I decided to really "be there" for him while he got through it.

Last night I reached my limit when he started screaming after being put in cot after 3am feed. I left him there, and shushed him back to sleep. Took 45mins. I did it because I knew he wasn't hungry, not in pain or discomfort and not having separation anxiety cause I was there the entire time. He was just pissed off that I wouldn't pick him up

I desperately need to fix this. I'm so sleep deprived and my neck is aching from picking this heavy baby up so frequently.

I would quite happily do another few nights of shushing but does this mean that I can't feed him at other wake ups? That just won't work- it's unfair to suddenly stop and he will not take bottle (never has). I know what will happen if offered water, he will bat the bottle away with both fists while in his apoplectic rage. We have tried this.

Equally, if I did sometimes just shush him, how is he meant to know when I'm going to feed him and when I'm not? Isn't that inconsistency confusing?? As I said I could only confidentially leave him last night because I had just fed him.

Please please help. We can't go on like this.

Do you have a partner at home? If so could they do the rapid return and comforting in the night and you just the feeding?

As pp has said do you have a partner to help? I find if I pick up my baby to put him back to sleep he will instantly try to latch because it's a comfort to him. He doesn't have that option with my husband so will normally go back to sleep after a bit of a cuddle and a shush.

Thanks- I do thankfully, and this did work.... but a couple of weeks ago DS stopped being comforted back to sleep by DH which is a bit of a problem. i can comfort without feeding at least, which used to be impossible- he'd previously try to latch on the second I picked him up!

I just feel so weak and broken. I dread the nights now!

Just to say I am going through something very similar with my 10month DS. I had previously stopped all night feeds- he was sleeping through reliably. But now he’s up between 4-7 times a night. He only seems to want boob and I wish I had the strength to let him cry or let DH try to settle him but I just am too knackered and broken to handle the screaming!

I am hoping he’ll remember how to sleep again. He’s super wired and active all day and I wonder if he’s over tired, how is your DS doing with naps?

Use the.....can't remember the name......method where you choose the hours, so decide you won't feed him between 11 and 5 for example?

Take him into bed with you when he wakes?