My 15 month old baby is still not sleeping the night through. What should I do?

Question

I'm still breastfeeding so I nurse him whenever he wakes up in the middle of the night. But I haven't had a straight sleep for so long now and I want my sleep back!

Answer 1

OK. I've had the same problem with my daughter, but at 11 months, I tried this technique and it worked! Sometimes, when she's not feeling well, it gets a bit thrown off, but I work with her...I understand how it is when you don't feel good and it's hard to sleep. But aside from that, when I read this article, I was SHOCKED at how well it worked. It was a bit tricky the first day...actually something more like hard, but it got easier from there. MUCH easier. I will attach a link to it b/c it's an actual article (from Parenting) and I'm not going to try to type it all out. I will say that the first day of the techinique, it took about an hour an a half to get her to sleep. I thought "this isn't going to work." The second day? 25 minutes! And it got better from there! It was amazing. I will add this incase you skip over that part....the sleep therapist even stated that it is NOT torture for her OR you. If you feel the need to pick her up b/c you just can't stand it, do it! It won't kill you...it's supposed to teach sleep habits. :)

As for you waking up and feeding him. I believe that he's in the habit of eating so that's why he still does it. Babies that age don't NEED to eat in the middle of the night unless they are in the habit. I'm sure he can go through the night without eating after you get him into a routine. One question. Are you married or living with someone else that can get up with him? If so, maybe the other person should get up in the middle of the night when it's "feeding time." That way, you won't be tempted to feed him and he won't see his "midnight snack" standing in front of him.

Another thing. Are you sure he's getting enough to eat BEFORE he goes to bed? I'm sure he is, but it's just something to think about.

Maybe this technique could help in the middle of the night with getting him back to sleep without food. I know it'd take patience, but it's TOTALLY worth it. I really feel for you with not getting sleep. I know it's hard.

I hope you get a good nights sleep! Oh yeah, the link is attached.
http://www.parenting.com/parenting/baby/article/0,19840,648423_1,00.html?topic=12013

Answer 2

If you have a pump, you could always have someone else feed him during the night if you have a husband or someone there helping you take care of him. Just express in a bottle.

Also it kinda sounds like maybe it's time to add some more baby foods. Maybe some warm cereal for supper. Something that will "stick" with him through the night so he doesn't wake up hungry.

It also may be a comfort thing. He may be seeing how long and hard he has to cry before you come get him, or just get a little startled or lonely at night and wants your company.

Is his diaper wet when you come in? That can sure wake up a little guy. If so, maybe don't let him have more than a couple of oz of water an hour or so before bedtime. It could go through and leave him wet in the middle of the night.

That's all the advice I have on the situation. My son still sleeps with me cause I gave into him needing me in the middle of the night and I, not wanting to get up 3 or 4 times a night, let him sleep with me. Don't do it! LOL

Valrie

Answer 3

My daughter is going to be 15 months in 4 days. She has been sleeping through the night since she was 10 months old. The secret I use is......I make sure she is dry and she is full. It's okay to continue breastfeeding ( I do!!!), I just make sure she has a solid meal an hour before bedtime as well. Sometimes all my daughter wants is a few bites of spaghetti or maybe some mac-n-cheese....Make sure something is on her stomach. Also, make sure his teeth aren't bothering him. And believe it or not....Kids do get scared of the dark sometime...Check this out too!

Answer 4

Heh heh. My son - and millions of others - didn't sleep through the night ONCE until he was three. It is very, very normal for children to still be waking up at least once per night even after they are three - 50% of American kids and 30% of British kids do.
I'm sure you want sleep. I haven't slept through the night for three years. It's called being a mother.
You can do it the very hard way - not giving him a drink and letting him 'cry it out' - but I myself caved after he screamed for four hours without stopping, four nights in a row - or you can keep getting up for him. There is one more option - get this book by the sleep expert - it's called Good night, sleep tight, by Kim West, and it has detailed plans on every sort of sleep issue for young children. It's the best thirty bucks you'll ever spend, I assure you. Good luck.

Answer 5

I am no longer a breastfeeding mom. As of three weeks ago! I was getting so tired of getting up & nursing her I just decided, no matter how much I love to nurse her, that she is not depending on me for nutriuts anymore, it was time to do something about it. I started with pouring milk in one of her sippy cups when I went to bed. When she would normally wake up, instead of nursing her, I would just give her the cup instead. We did that a couple of times that first night. Then I was persistant, and did it again the second night. She gradually started slowing down on her feedings. She ended up getting a stomach virus & threw up. So, that night I gave her water instead - which is what I give her now. And now, she goes to sleep holding the sippy cup, doesn't wake up until 6:30 or 7:00 for her a drink. Even if she does that, she doesn't wake me up to do that, or herself for that matter. She's usually asleep! Good luck! Its very hard to wean breastfeeding - emotionally that is, or it was for me. Just know that is ok to stop. But do it on your own time, when your ready!!

Answer 6

When your child wakes up change him if necessary, rock him or hold him till he goes back to sleep. He should not be nursing in the middle of the night. If he's thirsty, give him a little water. See the other suggestions from other people. Time to start using a sipper cup, either way, during the day.

Answer 7

The first nursing I dropped was the night nursing. When my little one woke, I would hold him, rock him & when he did the "milk" sign I would tell him, "it's time to sleep". He would cry for a minute and then go back to sleep. Of course, every child is different so you may have to try a few strategies until you find what works for you and your child.
I have included a couple of links I found very helpful to find what worked for us.
Good luck!!

Answer 8

At 15 months he has now formed the habit of getting up at night. You need to break that habit. It will be a rough few nights for you but you really need to let him cry it out.
Do you give him any solids before bed? You might want to consider giving him some pablum about half an hour before putting him down.

I'm giving you the advice I was given when I was going through the same thing you are. Only my daughter at the time was 18 months.
It took about 4 nights of listening to her cry it out before she stopped and started sleeping through.

Answer 9

If you want to put your baby to sleep in 20 seconds you must get the "Instant Baby Sleep" MP3 sound track. Here is their official web-site: http://www.instantbabysleep.net

The sound track gently produces energy over the full human hearing spectrum with an embedded pulse that gently eases the brain to the Alpha state well known for drowsiness and sleep induction.

Answer 10

Be patient.

Also, when he wakes to eat in the middle of the night, feed him, change him, and put him back to bed. No playing or happy time.... just eating and changing and back to bed... Don't make it a fun thing for him.