Hi Mamas!
I really need some advice. I have a 10 month old who has co-slept with my husband and I since birth. Since about 2 months she had been sleeping very regularly and waking up one time to nurse and then taking her pacifier and going right back to sleep. We were very happy with that situation.
Suddenly for the last week she has been waking up between 4 and 6 times a night. She will not take her pacifier. Its like all of a sudden she hates it. She will thrust her head the other way anytime I try to put it in her mouth and she will scream. The only thing that will put her back to sleep is nursing. And not for a few minutes, like 30 minutes. I don't even think she is really eating. I just think she is sucking, which is strange because she wont take her pacifier.
When she was first born she wanted to use me as a 24/7 pacifier. So I introduced the pacifier, which she hated, but we kept giving it to her until she finally took it. Then it seemed liked she couldn't live without it. Now its like shes back where she used to be wanting to use me a pacifier.
Also, even after all this extra nursing she is doing at night, I am noticing that my milk supply is getting lower. Do you think maybe this is her way of trying to boost the supply back up? Or What?
All I know is I NEED MORE SLEEP!!!!!!
Thanks for any advice you can give!
A.
Let me know what you find out b/c my 10 month old is doing the same thing minus the pacifier. He never would take one. Maybe it is teeth or a growing spurt? I need sleep too:)
Does she have a lovey to cuddle with at night? This was the answer to my prayers when my daughter started waking up in the middle of the night around the same age. Just another suggestion.
you did not mention if she is eating solids yet......it is possible she needs a more substantial meal (cereal) shortly before bedtime. She may be going through a growth burst...they sometimes get very hungry at this time. I'm sure it is fustrating since the older children did not have this issue. It is difficult to believe that children can be so different even in the same environment, but that is part of what makes them so wonderful. If you don't think it is hunger, perhaps she is just looking for that close contact with you. She is old enough to understand that cuddling and her pacifier is all you will offer....and she'll adjust (just not quite as quickly as you'd like I;m sure).....good luck.
As your child ages you start to lose the "let down" sensation and the fullness. this DOES NOT mean you are losing supply. What is most likely happening here is that your child is teething. Nursing is a natural pain reliever to them. My child did exactly as you are describing and I cosleep as well (except mine on a normal day wakes 4 to 6 times...when she is teething I lose count so count your blessings!!!!)
Hi A. Check with your doctor to make sure your breast are producing enough milk. Your baby is 10 months why don't you (if it's alright with the baby doctor) giving some cereal with the milk.
