9 Month Old Night Feedings

Updated on September 07, 2011
J.B. asks from Huntley, IL
7 answers

My 9 month old still wakes up at night to feed. I try to console her without a bottle but she cries so hard until she gets a bottle. Even if it's just 3 oz. She goes down for naps fine and I put her down awake, so I know she can put herself to sleep, I don't know what the issue is in the middle of the night.
Oh, and she shares our room so it's kind of hard to ignore her. Moving her to another room isn't an option.
Thanks

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

E.A.

answers from Erie on

She's hungry. This is developmentally appropriate, feed her.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Savannah on

It sounds like she is probably hungry. My 9 month old wakes up most nights as well. He had gotten out of it for a while and started up again. If you haven't tried feeding more during the day, I would try that, so she can get as much as she needs during daylight hours. If she eats more she might not wake up as often. My husband and I decided to start nighttime weaning at 10 months. My son will take a full 6 oz in the night, and we will start offering less and less, slowly. This way, he get used to drinking less and eventually will wake up, need a little pat and go right back to sleep. Hopefully this helps, and know you're not alone!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I fed my daughter twice at night until she was 11 months old, then once until she was 13 months old. Then she slept straight through with no problems. If she is waking up and eating, then she is hungry. Babies depend on us for their needs. She will grow out of this need soon.

2 moms found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Well this is a common question with two very different schools of thought.

Personally, I felt an infant (even 9 months) waking up needs something, feeding, comfort....whatever, doesn't matter, I would be there. I think it creates trust, I think a babied baby will grow up with confidence, knowing someone has always got their back. If your daughter was 3, well, that's a different issue completely.

But really, like every other parent decision, it's personal to you, it's important for YOU to do what works best for your family. So if you think it's time for sleep 'training', then go for it!

Eventually, they ALL sleep through the night. My three did it at very different ages even though I did it the same way with all three.

Enjoy her!

:)

2 moms found this helpful

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

It's not necessary at this age for night time feedings. I had both of my sons sleeping through the night by 6 weeks old. It's possible but you have to plan and schedule feedings. I did my nighttime feedings/diaper changes with the least simulation as possible. I learned how to change a diaper quick and in the dark. lol If you are feeding my demand then that is what she has learned to do. She cries and then you come. Harder for her to understand if you just ignore her pleas. Possibility something she is seeking for comfort more than food. I would start with giving her an extra feeding during the day. Don't think it's mean to let them struggle some at this age. You want them to learn some self soothing skills.
C.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Miami on

She is still a baby - if she puts herself to sleep then it seems that she needs something. My son (now 5) needed a bottle at 1am - 6 to 8 oz until he was 22 months old. At 22 months, he stopped waking and was able to go through the night.

My baby (just turned one last week) sleeps though the night most nights, but will wake if he has a dirty diaper or if he was too tired to eat a good dinner. He signs for bottle and with 8 oz will put himself back to sleep. This doesn't happen every night - and after keeping track for awhile I found the pattern.

Just put enough powder into a bottle for 4oz, keep it near your bed, and fill the water from the closest faucet when your daughter wakes. Eventually she will outgrow it and you will miss holding her and seeing her in your arms in the middle of the night.

C.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.X.

answers from Chicago on

Boy some moms on this site are downright RUDE! I wonder if they will say these harsh words in one's FACE? Probably not, cowards.

I warn you, that you asked a very touchy question, regarding crying it out or not. Such hot topics like this, amongst others (ie breast feeding, ear piercing infants, etc) will evoke very strong responses from people, and worst of all, from moms who have no sense of online etiquette when it comes to speaking their minds/opinions. I avoid asking touchy questions becuase I know I will guaranteedly get some nasty responses.

My son is also 9 mos old, almost 10 mos now. Some nights he takes a bottle, other nights he doesn't. I'm ok with it becuase all I do is use a formula dispenser, put it in a bottle of water, and give it to him in his crib. He then drinks it and goes back to sleep and so do I.

It sounds like your daughter is not truly hungry; she is comfort feeding more than anything else. You can try gradually decreasing the amount of formula and/or give a bottle of water instead. Try to feed her more solids during the day. My son takes approx 16 oz of food daily plus his formula. We found that if we fed him meat dinner his tummy is more full throughout the night.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions