Seeking Advice on How to Wean My 7 Mo from Night Time Breastfeeding

I agree with Susan and Deanna, but let me add a little. If you do pump, that is not really an accurate way to determine how much milk you are producing. Even with the best pump, the baby is able to take out more than the machine can. In other words, add a couple ounces more than what you pump to determine how much milk the baby is getting.

I've also found that since I've been back to work, my 4 1/2 month old nurses more at night than a month ago when I was staying home. She used to sleep through the night and now she wakes up once or twice. I think your daughter does need you and it's more of a security thing. When my nipples are sore I nurse her for a minute then give her a pacifier (at night). She's never taken it before, but when she's half asleep, she'll take it, as long as I'm close to her. I know many people don't recommed co sleeping, but I took the risk and have done it since she was born. I couldn't imagine having to actually get out of bed to nurse the baby. Although I wake up at night a couple times, I don't feel too tired since I barely wake up myself to nurse.

Good luck and thank you for serving our country!

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I have to say I have no idea what is right and wrong here (and I love other mothers stating they know exactly what is) but I would try nursing her first and then maybe giving her a bottle after that around bed time to ensure she is nice and full. Then I would put her in a room and if she cries go to her and give her a rub (not pick her up) and walk out. I would imagine the first few nights will be hell but then it will get better. Once it gets better you will be happy you did it.

Good luck and many warm wishes.

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This is a hard one. When I went back to work I found that right before bed if I started nursing then switched to a bottle my son was more accepting of it(maybe the skin to skin helped), even though he too took a bottle during the day for my in-laws.
I would also bring him in my bed after the second waking.
I agree with the lady that mentioned making sure she is getting enough to eat and she should definitely be eating on demand. I would also make sure you don't wait until she is over tired because that too makes for only wanting breast.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, my son is 9 months and it took a good 4 weeks to completely wean him.
Good Luck and Thanks for Serving our Country.

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I have my almost 7 month on in bed with me (and you have room, since your husband is away) and she only wakes up at 11pm and again around 4 or 5am to nurse. Since we are together, I barely wake up enough to latch her on. She needs the nutrients and I need my sleep.

She won't take the bottle or the paci, because she doesn't need an oral fix. She really needs you. Someday that will change. She's only 7 months old. You can look at it as a burden or you can look at it as a blessing. Perception is a powerful thing.

She probably also wants to know you are still there. With dad gone and you working during the day, it's probably very much about security.

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i had to go back to school when my first was 4 months old. not only did i have to be awake, but i had to be able to focus as well. while this is not ideal for many families, we practiced bed sharing. i know that you said you wanted to wean your daughter off the breast so that you could get more rest. but i actually found that co-sleeping and breastfeeding when needed throughout the night got me, my husband, and my daughter the most rest.

i know this wasn't exactly what you were looking for, but this is what worked for our family and thought i'd throw it out there for youto consider.

if you're concerned about safe co-sleeping, here's a website with more information

http://drjaygordon.com/development/ap/sleep.asp and http://drjaygordon.com/development/ap/cosleeping.asp

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S.,

Goodness your plate is full! How many girls? And, you're dedicated to serving our country...god bless you!

I have to say, it's little confusing as to why your daughter won't take a bottle, since I'm assuming that's what she takes at the babysitters. Am I wrong to assume that?

Our babies experience a ton of different emotions ALL the time, and unfortunately can experience stress when we are in the middle of stressful times. My son, can read Mommy like a book and will begin to adopt my attitude if he sees me stressing out. It's tough when you have very little help, and SO MUCH to handle everyday.

I'm not sure what kind of bottle you are using, but you may want to examine it and research different types. Is it truly necessary for your daughter to wean already from the breast? She may only be sucking for a short time becuase your supply may be limiting itself due to stress, lack of sleep or decrease in consumption. In that case, you may want to consider pumping while you transition your little one, so you can see how much you really are producing. Pumping helped me keep extra on hand for mixing with formula, and also gauge my supply.

Your little girl will only cry if she needs something, and because of your post, I have a sneaking suspiscion she's hungry at night and needs more of the good stuff. I had to wean my son from the breast at 9 months, due to meds, and it was easier said than done. I however, I did not night wean him until well after 9 months and fed on demand until he was almost a year old. But, he really like the playtex drop-in bottle, better than anything else. Try giving her a bottle at bedtime, with breastmilk that you've pumped and see if that makes the difference. Or if she takes formula okay during the day you may want to take a look at where she's sleeping, and maybe that is the source of discomfort.

I wouldn't recommend Crying It Out...I'm not a fan and at your little one's age, it's not recommended, even by the doctor who invented.

I know how hard working, and taking care of a little one can be. As a single Mom, sometimes it feels like no matter what you do, it doesn't work...but, trust me there is a silver lining just around the corner!!

It gets better. Be patient and do your best to assess your daughters needs at night, and fulfill them.

Good luck.

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I think at this age babies still need to nurse at night for nutritional reasons. You may want to call The pump staion in Santa Monica or check Mothering.comforums. Breastmilk is digested pretty quickly. Best, H.

Your baby is only 7 months old. You have gone back to work and she wants her mommy time! If it was me I'd learn to sleep with my baby so that when you have to feed her, just roll over. Are you already doing this? Don't let yourself wake up all the way. Mommy-baby bonding is so important and this faze won't last too long.

Sorry no advice here but you are not alone I am in the same boat as you.

Have you tried using those silicone/latex (not sure which!) nipple protectors when your daughter wakes for a feed at night? It's what moms use when their nipples are sore from feeding, so baby can still feed through them.

If your daughter will feed through those you may find it easier to move her to a bottle sooner rather than later.

Maybe try a pacifier again?

Good luck!
C. x

Well may I say, we all appreciate all the sacrifices you make as a Mom and as a Military member for our Nation.

*Sorry, I misunderstood your posting earlier.

For weaning at night, this is the hardest one to wean from.
If she does not take a pacifier, will she take a "lovey" of some kind? A stuffed animal to cuddle for sleeping? My Son does this and it helps him sleep.

Or, maybe give her a sippy cup of water?

You said she takes a bottle and formula at the babysitter... how MUCH is she actually drinking? You want to make sure she is getting enough intake there. Then, how OFTEN is she being given the bottle? A baby must be fed on "demand" and not on a "schedule"... and still, with formula, it should be every 3-4 hours or so. *For the 1st year of life, a baby's PRIMARY source of nutrition is from breastmilk/formula... NOT solids.
And, she should be offered her bottle FIRST, before solids (if she is on solids yet). I would check and make sure your Sitter is adequately feeding her the bottle.

Next, she probably does NOT take a bottle at night, because you are there... she wants YOU... and to nurse. She misses you. And this is normal. BUT, if you do not have enough milk, then she won't be getting enough even though she is at the breast often. Also, at this age, they start to get "separation anxiety." So, there is also all their other developmental phases intertwined into it too... and ALL babies have variations in sleep and phases.

BUT... I would make extra sure she is getting enough intake during the day when she is at the sitter... PLUS, make sure she is getting enough intake from the point at which you are home with her. And just nurse her every hour even, before bed... if this is what will "satisfy" her and keep her tummy full before bed.

Give her a good long solid nursing at night, just before bed. Or, even supplement that with formula, since she is used to taking this the rest of the day.

Or, cluster feed her from early in the evening before bed, so her tummy is full.

Usually also, they will wake more if they are going through a growth-spurt or developmental change...and they will naturally get hungrier and more often, and need more intake because they are growing. The bigger they get, the more they need. This is just a normal natural occurring thing and you can't "stop" them from having growth spurts and "needing" more intake, even at night. I fed/nursed my kids on demand for the first year.
I know in your situation it's hard.. .but your baby probably is not ready to stop night nursings cold turkey....

Also, is she getting her naps at the baby-sitter? Naps helps them to feel more settled, and less over tired at bed time.

Also, maybe since she is just down to one nursing at night, and has formula during the rest of the day.... MAYBE your milk output has lessened... and so even if she's at the breast, she is not actually getting any or enough intake? Perhaps this is why she is only sucking for a few minutes, because it is not a "productive" nursing for her, but still waking up a lot at night.

Then there is other thing... where does she sleep? In the crib? Sometimes, as a last resort, a Mom will co-sleep with their baby just to get more rest... since babies often sleep better next to their Mom. BUT... this is a personal decision... and you need to make sure this is a "habit" that will suit your situation.

Not all babies "know" how to self-soothe... other than being next to their Mom. My daughter was like that, but my son is more independent and could self-soothe with no problem. Each baby is different.

You'll get lot of ideas here... all the best to you,
Susan