Help! Im a human pacifier. My daughter is almost seven months old and has been breastfed since birth. i just recently began to intigrate a bottle of formula during the day, im trying to wean her completely. My problem is, wen i put her to bed at night, she will sleep for a few hours then wakes up and insists on being right next to me in my bed to sleep. she breast feeds almost constantly all night long and if i try to get her to stop she wakes up and wont go back to sleep because shes mad. Any tips on sleeping all night or getting her to give up her night time obseccion?
2007-01-27 11:45:59 · 7 answers · asked by chicwitpurpose 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I have a 7month old as well. (The last of three) For me, it took about two weeks to get him "off me" :-) and onto a bottle. You're right. She's used to you being close to you, and being at your breast is her comfy spot. Whether you give her formula or pumped breast milk, it wont matter. She wants to be near you.
You are her mother and she wants you, but you also call the shots. If you always breastfeed when she cries, she has not attained the ability to self-sooth. Babies can do this with a pacifier, a familiar lullaby(introduced during breastfeeding times to associate calm with the music), and sometimes crying. Now, I'm not suggesting an all night cry. Many studies have proven that is not the best solution for mother or baby. But, allowing her to cry for 1min. 2min. 4min...intervals will wean her off of you slowly.
Also, if you have someone else there to help, they should also be getting up and introducing the bottle at night.
There is no quick fix, but a few weeks of devotion now will save you years of tantrums about not sleeping in her own big-girl bed.
:-) good luck
2007-01-27 14:24:20 · answer #1 · answered by hol_girl 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is what babies are supposed to do, sorry. She isn't using you as a pacifier, she just isn't using her pacifier as a mom, seriously.
I don't want to sound like I am confronting you but why are you weaning to formula?
Anyway she probably doesn't like the formula so she isn't eating as much, then she is making up for it at night. Even if she is eating enough formula she is making up for the lost cuddling at night.
You can *try* feeding her more often during the day, and baby wearing at least some of the time. Particularly before bed to top her up feed every hour or more often. This *may* help. Then again my 11 month old still eats ever 1-3 hours, day and night with maybe one 4-5 stretch 2 or 3 days out of the week.
And don't listen to those who are going to tell you cosleeping is a bad habit. It is a choice and study after study after study has proven it is good for baby. It reduces the risks of SIDS, it reduces mental disease, increases happiness, increases independance etc.
2007-01-27 19:53:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Well, as i'm sure you've figured out, your baby doesn't need the nutrition...she just wants the breast for comfort to get back to sleep. So.....the only way is to let her cry it out. However, before doing this, make sure she really is full before putting her down. At 7 months, breast milk may not be holding her through the night. See that she takes a little cereal or formula (or even veggies -- baby food, of course), before putting her down. Once you're sure she's really had enough to eat, let her cry for a bit. It won't hurt her and she and you need the sleep!
:) Best of luck!
2007-01-27 19:52:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure how a 7mo. old insists, you have to be strong now. have you considered a late night bath,then the extra bottle? She needs to sleep in her own bed. Make sure your nutrition is good so what she is getting sustains her. Go to her when she cries pat her or rub her back,then go back to bed alone.If she needs another bottle fine, but back to bed.
2007-01-27 19:58:51 · answer #4 · answered by cinnamon 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
"My problem is, wen i put her to bed at night, she will sleep for a few hours then wakes up and insists on being right next to me in my bed to sleep."
Okay, does your 7 month old really *insist* or do you just not want to put up with her so you put her in your bed?
The thing is, she needs to be taught how to soothe herself. When she cries, that's OKAY! Many parents make the mistake of running to their children the second they make a peep. Not only does that teach the child to manipulate mom and dad with cries, it never allows the child to learn how to soothe themselves.
What you need to do when she cries is to go in her room and calm her down. Not pick her up, not stick a boob in her mouth, and do not put her in your bed (that's just starting another terrible habit).
There are many other ways to soothe a crying baby besides holding them and/or feeding them. Stroke her head, rub her back, sing to her, turn on the radio softly, "shhh" her, pat her back, etc. This will calm her and soothe her back to sleep.
2007-01-27 19:55:47 · answer #5 · answered by CelebrateMeHome 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
She inisists?? Time to start bottle feeding her at night, too. Or, if she's not really hungry, give her a bit of milk in a sippy cup and put her back to bed... don't go into your room with her.. Let her know that's not a possibility. Will she like it? No. Will she grow to accept it if you stick to your guns? Yeup.
2007-01-27 19:52:17 · answer #6 · answered by Amy S 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
My mom and dad kept me in my room and let me cry all night long. After that I slept through the night. You have to be firm, or they'll keep controlling you.
2007-01-27 19:53:29 · answer #7 · answered by Jenny m 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋