My daughter is 12 months old and wakes up about every 2 hours through the night to nurse. Weaning is not an option right now. Has anyone had success getting their nursing baby to sleep through the night, or at least wake up less? What worked for you. Thanks
2007-02-13 04:47:12 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My son is also 13 months old and nurses intermittently throughout the night (we co-sleep). We're also working on curbing that behavior. I don't know about your child, but mine does not seem to be eating enough solids during the day to sustain him throughout the night, necessarily. At least, he isn't eating enough during the day for me to be confident that he doesn't need nursing sessions at night.
However, I do have a resource that I'm working on using for myself that might also help you -- Elizabeth Pantley. See her website below. She has a book called "The No-Cry Sleep Solution" and in it she helps you teach your baby to self-soothe WITHOUT crying it out. She breastfed all four of her babies for extended periods of time, and co-slept with them as well, and still taught them how to sleep through the night. I highly recommend you try out her book (or at least check out her website, there is information there) or e-mail her (she replied to my email!) She has a special section for night-nursers and a technique called "Pantley's Gentle Removal" for teaching your baby to sleep without nursing all night long. This method also allows for night nursing when your baby is hungry, and helps you to know the difference between comfort nursing and hunger nursing. Good luck and congratulations on extended nursing!
2007-02-13 05:39:59 · answer #1 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great job for breastfeeding this long. I really think that it is a great thing. The waking up at night is because she is used to nursing for comfort. She does not need to eat at night at this age. My son nursed for 14 months and the only way I got him to sleep through the night was to wean him at night. I let him nurse before bed and in the am, but did not give him the breast at night. After like two nights he was fine. Slept through the night and is doing great now. He is 24 months old and sleeping well. Good luck.
2007-02-13 05:34:11 · answer #2 · answered by mktk401 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's comfort nursing. Nutritionally I'm sure her needs are being met in the form of solid food or a combination of both. At one years old, this is a good time to break that every two hour habit. Hunger (and not necessary because they need it) is going to come calling every time if you continue. Make sure that she is getting good nutrition during the day. You didn't mention what you are feeding her. Give her a good meal at dinner time and a snack before bed. Since weaning is not the option, give her a comfort "night night" nurse, do her routine, and then put her down to bed. If she wakes up, maybe go in and give her comfort other than your boob. If she continues, then you might have to use some CIO. Don't feed her though, also because the milk/food is pooling in her mouth and can cause cavities.
2007-02-13 05:10:49 · answer #3 · answered by MomofOneSpnkyGrl 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I definitely agree that waking up every two hours at 12 months old is not normal. She is also eating solids, right? Then most likely, she is not hungry. She probably uses the breast like others use a blankie or pacifier. I've breastfed all three of my children, and they were able to sleep through the night without nursing by one year old (although the second woke up and wanted to get in my bed). The youngest is four months old, nursing, and sleeping all night.
I think your daughter's waking up is a behavioral issue, not a hunger issue. She just likes the feeling of nursing while she sleeps. It's going to be a tough habit to break (especially if you co-sleep), but try not feeding her every time she wakes up. Maybe start with cutting out one feeding per night. She'll throw a fit at first, but she needs to learn to self-soothe. You might also try giving her a special blanket to help her soothe herself. Start giving it to her during the day, and incorporate it into her bedtime routine. Good luck to you.
2007-02-13 05:08:53 · answer #4 · answered by momof3 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My 2 year old STILL wakes up , and has yet to sleep the night threw!
BUT!, Try feeding her something that will fill her up right before bedtime. (Mashed potates work well!) I do that with my son and it works for about half the night. I think it is a habit. She feels the need to suck so she wants to nurse. Dont stop breast feeding though! I am glad to hear that there are still Moms out there that breast feed there kids for long periods of time. My first, I breast fed for almost 2 years!!
2007-02-13 04:59:28 · answer #5 · answered by Megz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks.
At 12 months, you should be talking to your pediatrician. There is really no reason your child should not be sleeping through the night.
She is probably not hungry every 2 hours-you have to break the cycle.
The website below may help:
http://www.babycenter.com/general/3581.html
2007-02-13 04:57:21 · answer #6 · answered by LabGrrl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter is 17 weeks old and exclusively breast fed. She sleeps 11+ hrs every night.
We used a dummy (pacifier) and the pickup/ put down technique, as well as having the same bedtime routine every night.
You could try dreamfeeding, and also adding in extra food during the day to"see her through"
Good luck!
2007-02-13 05:16:27 · answer #7 · answered by cindy p 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's a trained night feeder. By this point she doesn't need to wake up during the night to eat. It's become a habit not a necessity. If you want details find "Your Child's Health". It's available at Borders and amazon online. Plus, your library should have it.
2007-02-13 05:05:13 · answer #8 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son started sleeping through the night at 2-1/2 weeks old being strictly breastfed...I was told that its a comfort thing...sounds like she's still hungry...
2007-02-13 05:52:49 · answer #9 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
breast fed babies usually just like the suckling effect and are not necessrily hungry. At 12 months old she definetly shouldnt be waking for any night time feeds, i brestfed my son til about 9 months and then after that he slept. My health visitor also let me know that breastfed babies usually dont sleep well, nice of them 2 warn us of that before!!!! but im afraid the only thing you can do is let your baby cry to sleep as she needs to learn how to settle herself. Speak to your health visitor she may refer you to a child sleep clinic
2007-02-13 04:54:33 · answer #10 · answered by AMANDA G 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋