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Original poster

Quick Poll Please Answer: DS 6mths I am stopping night feeds...how many nights shall I sit with him while he cries?

125 replies

theprecious · 07/01/2008 10:53

He's fine - not hungry, just likes a bit of boobie in the night.

I've sat with him for three nights, while he's cried for 1-.30hr to 45mins. I have been singing and rocking him so he knows I am there. He's more angry at not being picked up than anything else.

How long would you do this for until I leave put the earplugs in and leave him to it?

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Maveta · 07/01/2008 20:24

have you tried giving him a bit of porridge or cereal before bed? I don´t know if that´s just as controversial but is just a similar idea to cluster feeding in smaller babies, surely?

chibi · 07/01/2008 20:25

Have you tried nighttime nappies, they are super mega absorbent, so your ds shouldn't wake unless there's been a poo

Maveta · 07/01/2008 20:26

octo, why sorry? Confused feeling tired and befuddled tonight, hours staring at pc most likely not helping..

Octo · 07/01/2008 20:27

Maveta - you disagreeing with nannyjo! Does N still wake at night?

Maveta · 07/01/2008 20:30

Yeah.. down to only once a night though so got everything crossed it stays like that [please please please]. If not, I´ll tell him I´m sending him to nannyjo if he doesn´t sort it Or maybe to aunty octo

Octo · 07/01/2008 20:34

E doesn;t sleep through either and I have yet to leave him to cry - to easy to feed him - but feel he should really be sleeping through now. We tried water the other evening which worked - but he then woke up again at midnight. He tends to wake at 2am ish.

BabiesEverywhere · 07/01/2008 20:34

Why not activally offer more milk feeds during the evening and see if that helps ?

FrannyandZooey · 07/01/2008 20:34

Precious if you think your baby doesn't need feeding, and can learn to go without milk in the night once he gets used to the change, then fine, why not try it, but you were talking about him crying for 90 mins and suggesting that you just put in earplugs and let him get on with it

Octo · 07/01/2008 20:34

I'm sending him to nannyjo aswell!

mummymagic · 07/01/2008 20:34
  1. I (a grown adult!) get hungry if I am awake in the middle of the night for longer than about 10mins. And definitely would never be able to go without water.
  1. Re the article about CC keeping mums sane: I do agree that there is a balance (just as there is with most decisions with babies) but I do think people need to think about what long-term message they are trying to teach their babies. There are also other more creative ways to teach anything - especially when they are actually old enough to understand
BabiesEverywhere · 07/01/2008 20:35

Or co-sleep and let LO nurse whilst you sleep.

Octo · 07/01/2008 20:35

Me offer more milk??? or precious?

BabiesEverywhere · 07/01/2008 20:36

-Me offer more milk??? or precious?
Precious

sarah71 · 07/01/2008 20:36

No to the nappy change unless pooey! Is the 10.30 feed one he wakes for or do you wake him? I used to try and dream feed dd at 10/11 (it was hardly a dream feed tho she used to wake up and become quite lively!)and it actually made her wake up more afterwards (2, then 5 then 7) - when I left her to sleep naturally she slept much longer.

Maveta · 07/01/2008 20:39

the cereal before bed worked a dream for a few nights but lately he´s started waking again. tbh once a night is still so great compared to 3 times or more that I refuse to complain about it!

Maveta · 07/01/2008 20:40

I´m relieved to see others don´t change unless it´s a pooey nappy - that´s advice I got on here early days but my mum has had him overnight a few times and always changes him, made me feel really bad.. glad you´re all the same!

Octo · 07/01/2008 20:44

If he has a disp (rare occasion) on I might change him as they make me feel sick when they are full and I hate all those yakky gels being so close to his skin. Which kind of means I use more which defeats the object but they make me feel sick.

Octo · 07/01/2008 20:45
Blush
TheIceQueen · 07/01/2008 20:49

haven't read the other posts - and have used CC in the past with DS1 (at 6 months) - and a form of it with DS3 (just recently at 7 1/2 months) .....however I'd say if he's still not settling after 3 nights then you should keep feeding him.

Him not being interested in feeding in the morning doesn't really mean that he doesn't need his night feeds....

Maveta · 07/01/2008 20:49

you old hippy, you..

Original poster
theprecious · 07/01/2008 20:51

It was a pooey nappy! Usually he doesn't at night but this was an exception. I check so he's not crying coz of the nappy.

I do load him with milk and food during the day.....this is why I don't think he needs to be fed.

F&Z - yes, originally I was asking how long till I leave him to it, but I came in for so much opprobrium that I felt I should give more info.

I am not, now going to be leaving him to it, as what I am doing is evidently bad enough.

OP posts:
berolina · 07/01/2008 20:58

I've only just started (gently) refusing ds1 night feeds, unless he's really distressed rather than just a bit peeved about having been woken by something. He's 2.8.

Harsh, I know, but the idea of refusing a 6mo baby night feeds makes my blood run cold.

All of this rod-for-your-own-back stuff mothers get regaled with has a lot to answer for.

pulapula · 07/01/2008 21:10

theprecious,

i don't think you are doing anything bad if you know DS isn't hungry, especially as he knows you are there with him. He is just used to being fed and as you say is angry as he's not getting any. It should get easier after a few nights, as now he should be taking more on in the day, and also realise he won't be getting any at night. If it doesn't then maybe you could feed him but keep giving less each night. You could also try a more structured baby whisperer approach where you hold him a few minutes, then put him down and comfort him in the cot, picking up again if he doesn't calm. just keep repeating "its just time for sleep" or similar in a calming voice. Do you feed him around 10.30/11 as my DS still has a feed then as i don't expect him to manage 12 hours without a feed altho i'm sure some 6mo can.

Good luck.

Pannacotta · 07/01/2008 21:14

But how CAN you know if a 6 month old is hungry or not, he can't tell you what the matter is!!
I don't see why its such as problem feeding a baby during the night, is surely much easier than sitting listening to him cry for an hour and a half, which cant be good for him or you.

pulapula · 07/01/2008 21:16

theprecious,

i don't think you are doing anything bad if you know DS isn't hungry, especially as he knows you are there with him. He is just used to being fed and as you say is angry as he's not getting any. It should get easier after a few nights, as now he should be taking more on in the day, and also realise he won't be getting any at night. If it doesn't then maybe you could feed him but keep giving less each night. You could also try a more structured baby whisperer approach where you hold him a few minutes, then put him down and comfort him in the cot, picking up again if he doesn't calm. just keep repeating "its just time for sleep" or similar in a calming voice. Do you feed him around 10.30/11 as my DS still has a feed then as i don't expect him to manage 12 hours without a feed altho i'm sure some 6mo can.

Good luck.

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