18m how to stop night feeds

MagicMatilda · 2021-09-27T11:04:26+00:00

My LB is 18 months old but still wakes at least twice for a bottle of formula each night. He eats really well in the day and makes no difference. I’d love full nights sleep…any tips on how I can stop this habit? Thank you! X

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pinkgin85 · 27/09/2021 12:05

Following! My 20 month is the same, 1 bottle most nights

kitkatsky · 27/09/2021 12:12

Do you dream feed him before you go to bed?

Original poster

MagicMatilda · 27/09/2021 12:14

Nice to know I’m not the only one! I’m just knackered

No, I could try a dream feed tonight and see if that’s helps.

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YessicaHaircut · 27/09/2021 12:25

Also following as our 15 month old still wakes at least once during the night and generally we give a bottle if he won’t go back to sleep straight away. We are trying to cut this out by giving full fat milk cut down by about 2/3rds with water (so around 3oz milk in a 9oz bottle) - this was recommended by the health visitor. You could try this instead of giving formula perhaps? I do think also that wanting a bottle feed is the same as a breastfed baby wanting to feed during the night; it’s for comfort rather than being about food.

Rosesareyellow · 27/09/2021 12:26

Dream feed first to start off but really at 18 months she doesn’t need that either. Bare that in mind - she is not hungry and doesn’t need milk at night, never mind formula. It might be tough work but I would just go cold turkey on this. It will be a comfort thing - go in, offer cuddles, possibly a cup of water if need be, then leave her. I’m under no delusion that this is easier said than done.

LakeShoreD · 27/09/2021 12:39

I really wouldn’t dreamfeed an 18 month old. I know it’s hard when they’re really attached to it but he shouldn’t be having bottles at all, he doesn’t need the formula and most importantly he should be brushing his teeth after his bedtime milk. You could absolutely go cold turkey offering only water and prepare for a few rough nights whilst he adjusts - this is what I’d do but I know easier said than done when you’re already knackered. If you prefer a gradual approach then you could do things like give the bottle but water down the milk over a few nights so eventually it’s only water or offer cows milk in a sippy cup instead and hope he naturally becomes a bit less interested. Good luck!

Rosesareyellow · 27/09/2021 12:44

Dream feed first to start off but really at 18 months she doesn’t need that either. Bare that in mind - she is not hungry and doesn’t need milk at night, never mind formula. It might be tough work but I would just go cold turkey on this. It will be a comfort thing - go in, offer cuddles, possibly a cup of water if need be, then leave her. I’m under no delusion that this is easier said than done.

Sorry I just realised you have a little boy - not sure how I misread that!

stressingmum · 27/09/2021 12:52

I went through this at 17m I just started taking his cup with water to bed so when he woke that was all that was offered.

It didn't go well at first and some nights he was awake for up too 3 hours moaning (not crying) about it.

After about 2 weeks he stopped waking in the night and if he does now (21m) I only offer water.

Honks · 27/09/2021 13:01

Does he go to sleep feeding from a bottle or cuddled up to you op?

NigellaSeed · 27/09/2021 13:08

We cut out night feeds at 9m, he would cry alot and be awake for up to 2 hours (not crying the whole 2 hours though). We never left him to cry alone, we just hugged and rocked him the whole time until he eventually fell back to sleep. It was really really hard. And I'd say it took 2-3 weeks. Then he slept through, and 6m later, still going strong. Good luck!

Original poster

MagicMatilda · 27/09/2021 19:29

@Honks

Does he go to sleep feeding from a bottle or cuddled up to you op?

Yes, he goes to sleep with his bottle of milk. I know this needs to stop too

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Original poster

MagicMatilda · 27/09/2021 19:30

@NigellaSeed

We cut out night feeds at 9m, he would cry alot and be awake for up to 2 hours (not crying the whole 2 hours though). We never left him to cry alone, we just hugged and rocked him the whole time until he eventually fell back to sleep. It was really really hard. And I'd say it took 2-3 weeks. Then he slept through, and 6m later, still going strong. Good luck!

It’s so silly of me as I know it’s just a couple of weeks of bad nights and then we will be so much better off but just keep putting it off!

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Original poster

MagicMatilda · 27/09/2021 19:31

@stressingmum

I went through this at 17m I just started taking his cup with water to bed so when he woke that was all that was offered.

It didn't go well at first and some nights he was awake for up too 3 hours moaning (not crying) about it.

After about 2 weeks he stopped waking in the night and if he does now (21m) I only offer water.

The 3 hours of waking scares me but I know it’s for the greater good!

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