How Do I Wean a Night Feeding?

often times when children (meaning babies/infants/toddlers/etc.) go through changes, they may experience more night wakings. these changes can be growth spurts, teething, developmental milestones, separation anxiety, change in routines, etc.

one of the biggest things you don't want to deny children is a growth spurt during the first 2 years of life. their tummies are small and sometimes it's just not possible to get all the feedings during the day. and they don't always have the words to tell you that they're hungry.

you mentioned putting her to breast. don't ever feel guilty about meeting your child's needs. if she needs to nurse, then let her. if she needs you to comfort her, then comfort her. go with your instincts and know that you are not alone in your practices nor is there anything wrong with what you are doing. it's simply nurturing and providing for your baby. :)

Megan B. is right. Ditto.

Keep in mind, and this is important... that babies go through "growth spurts" AND at these periods, they need an increase in intake, they are growing, AND they feed more frequently. You can't stop night feedings or "control" feeding them if they are going through growth spurts and developmental changes. It's a natural "need" that they need to be fed more.

As a child grows, their appetite and nutritional needs INCREASES in proportion to them growing. They need more sustenance.

For the 1st year of life... a baby needs to be fed on demand... and breastmilk/formula is the PRIMARY source of nutrition for them. NOT solids. This is also echoed by my Pediatrician.

Many times, a baby wakes more because they are hungry and changing. Imagine- having to go to bed at night, while hungry...and not being able to soothe yourself, and not being able to eat, and being denied what you need to alleviate yourself...but you were only "allowed" to cry and cry yourself to sleep...and on top of that you are PMS'ing and more emotional, and no one helped you, and all your Hubby did was ignore you and "grumble" that he hates waking up for you to help you, and he just ordered you to go back to bed and "shushed" you???? Well, this is what babies are expected to do many times. No wonder they are not happy at bedtime.

Or, imagine... sometimes you're sad for no reason or you need your Hubby more and want extra kisses or hugs and solace from him and understanding for any stress your'e feeling. But all he does is tell you "No..if I hug you and kiss you and listen to you more, you will get too dependent on me and then you won't grow up correctly... oh, and no venting to me either. Now go on your way and get over it..." Often, this is the way babies & kids are "expected" to be too. Do ya think it's good? What does that "teach" us, and them? I don't mean to be so direct, but when I look at my kids, in all the inconvenient "phases" they go through... this is what I think about. Then, I can look at them, with different eyes.... and tend to them as they need. Even though I may be tired.

The "whining" you hear and see... is often that the baby is making natural sounds as they sleep...it does not always mean that they are "awake" or need to be woken up. Try let her be, see if she just goes back to sleep... but if not, go and comfort her or feed her. Even adults make noises while sleeping... but it does not always mean we are "awake" or need to be woken up. Noises during sleep, for anyone, is normal. But, if she is crying and distressed and not able to go back to sleep, this is normal. It's okay. Nurture her. They are still needing to bond.

Also, try letting her have a "lovey." My son LOVES his stuffed cow... it's his "pal" and he loves to sleep with it, and to just have it with him. It is soooooo okay to "let" a baby have a "soothing" object, there is NOTHING wrong with it. It is a natural instinct for babies to need this.

9 months old, is a growth-spurt time AND a time of developmental changes. ALSO at any milestone period, babies get hiccups in their sleep. Remember, sleep patterns in babies are NOT static...they are constantly changing internally & physically and this will happen throughout their childhood up until Teen years. So, there will be other sleep "issues" forthcoming. Its ALL normal. As adults, we certainly do not sleep the same way, the same times, in the same manner since we were babies either. We all change and our sleep patterns follow this change.

ALL breastfeeding Moms nurse their baby to sleep. It's okay. It's natural, it's normal, it's okay. No need to pressure yourself over it being a "bad habit" at so young an age. You don't "have to" wean the night feeding... she is so young still. I let both my kids "self-wean." And they did so when they were ready.

Each Mom is different & each generation. Just go with your heart and instincts and your baby's needs. You are doing fine.

all the best,
Susan

Megan and Susan said everything in my heart...

Just wanted to share that at 9 mos. my son did the same thing, and it only lasted for a few weeks until the growth spurt was over and he was ready to move on to his next sleep phase. Over the past two years, every month has been different!! Something new, like night terrors and fear of the dark have been tackled. It's certainly okay to make sure you little one's needs are being met, and that she knows Mommy is there for her when she 'needs' her.

'Habits' are usually things that we know are wrong and shouldn't been doing, but who says you shouldn't be doing what 'needs' to be done for your little girl? Mine bad habit is biting my nails...nobody gets anything out of it, and it's gross. But, breastfeeding your little girl at this point is totally natural as a means of comfort and nourishment.

You're doing a great job, and this too shall pass!! Just keep doing what you're doing and eventually your little one will let go of the nightfeedings, and you'll be so sad that those nights are gone.

Best of luck.

she may indeed need to feed. infants go through quiet a few growth spurts. Try discussing this with your childs ped.

I highly recommend Ferber's book. It's mainly a sleep training, but they also talk in depth of how to eliminate night feedings.

I did this method with my 9 month old daughter and within 3 nights, she was sleeping through the night!!

My baby is now 13 months and frequently I hear her "whine" or make noise in the middle of the night, but half the time it is in her sleep. So my first point is not to jump up every time you hear a noise. She has to learn how to fall back asleep on her own.

2nd, I would only feed her if you have reason to believe she is hungry and other soothing methods didn't work. For example, the other night (1am), my daughter whined for a while and it progressed from whining to loud crying, and only then did I get up. We tried the pacifier, holding her, and then offering a bottle of water, but that didn't work and I had a feeling she didn't eat much dinner, so we tried a bottle of formula and that did the trick.