7.5 month Old Still Feeding at Least Twice at Night (Bad Habit?)

[Jemima]

Hi ladies,

My 7.5 month old is currently waking at least twice at night to feed. Well, when I say feed, I mean...she cries, I go in, she has a teeny bit of a breastfeed, she gets all sleepy, I put her down and she goes off to sleep again.

I can see that this is a bad habit we have got ourselves into as I don't really think she needs the milk an night, well certainly not two of three times a night anyway.

Last night, I tried not feeding her when she woke the first time and she cried for nearly an hour. Not very nice for any of us and I certainly don't want to have to go through this every night until she gets out of the habit.

Has anyone got any tips on how to get her out of this habit?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fein&waiting]

perhaps try cooled boiled water or a dummy?

 

[Blob]

I'm in the same boat really, but last night i gave her a cuddle tucked her back in and sang to her and she went back to sleep. I'm hoping that it will stop the comfort feeding so much!!

 

[Samantha675]

I still nurse Brenn through the night. All babies are different. For me I would rather spend 2-3 minutes nursing then 30 minutes to an hour fighting him back to sleep without boob.

 

[mommyof3co]

I nursed Casen through the night until 11mo and hayden until 15mo. They really needed the feeds so that's why we did. If you feel he really isn't actually hungry...the boys only did it for a few min too but they didnt' nurse for long periods of time during th eday either...I would try giving just some water and see if that works if you dont think he needs it though.

 

[freckleonear]

I fed Aaron several times a night up until he was 11 months old. Like Samantha675 said, for me it was just easier to feed him quickly than spend ages trying to get him back to sleep another way. This went on until we had family come to stay, which meant he had to sleep in the travel cot in our room. After an exhausting week of him waking every hour, he went back into his own cot and slept through the night without feeding and has done ever since.

Hope you manage to find a solution.

 

[Bec L]

Hmm, I'm a bit like Samantha on this one - if Poppy wakes in the night I know she's not hungry but I would rather pop into her room half asleep, give her a quick 'feed' and then go back to bed than let her cry. Butttt....I know that's not really the answer!

Fortunately, Poppy doesn't do it all that often in the middle of the night anymore (she was about 7 months when she stopped), but she does after we initally put her down and I can be up to her 2 or 3 times before she finally settles. She is practically asleep but just needs the suckle to go back off.

Is Poppy doing it consistently every night hun? xx

 

[Jemima]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

fein&waiting - she won't take a bottle so can't really see that working. Not interested in dummies either

Blob - I'm sure you have a delightful singing voice but when I try this, Poppy REALLY lets rip!

Sam - I have a feeling you're right. It's just so much easier to feed them than to listen to them crying but I just wanted to see if I could break the habit really.

mommyof3co - I honestly don't believe she needs the feeds. It's definitely just a comfort thing but I'm beginning to wonder whether I should just put up with it for now and hope she grows out of it soon.

Freckleonear - Yes, it is the easier option but I just worry about the long term. Hopefully, she will snap out of it like your Aaron did.

Bec - Yes, she does it every night at more or less the same times which makes me think it's definitely a habit. Maybe my Poppy will start to settle at 7 months like yours did.

Thanks again, everyone.

 

[ryder]

You know your baby best Jemima... If you think that she is just having a comfort suck or whatever, then go ahead. All babies are different, like its been pointed out... to me, 2 times a night is a little much, especially if your baby is doing well on solids.

Jasmine goes to bed at 6 or 7pm and doesnt wake or feed until 6 or 7am the next morning.

 

[mommyof3co]

Yeah I personally think you best bet is probably to just hold out. It's def not harming her to do it, she will eventually outgrow it on her own...and you'll probably miss it..I know

 

[Serene123]

Caitlyn didn't stop feeding ALOT of times in the night untill 10 months. They were comfort feeds because she cut every single one of them out at once

 

[Jemima]

You know your baby best Jemima... If you think that she is just having a comfort suck or whatever, then go ahead. All babies are different, like its been pointed out... to me, 2 times a night is a little much, especially if your baby is doing well on solids.

Jasmine goes to bed at 6 or 7pm and doesnt wake or feed until 6 or 7am the next morning.

I think you're right and it probably is a little too much but I suppose all babies are different and I guess I have to make the decision whether I want to fight it or just take the easy road and go with it...I think I've made my decision already after a night of crying!

 

[Jemima]

Yeah I personally think you best bet is probably to just hold out. It's def not harming her to do it, she will eventually outgrow it on her own...and you'll probably miss it..I know

Yes, I think I'm just going to go with it. I took a step back last night and when I think about it, it isn't really such a great hardship and I'm sure she'll grow out of it soon. Thanks.

 

[Jemima]

Caitlyn didn't stop feeding ALOT of times in the night untill 10 months. They were comfort feeds because she cut every single one of them out at once

I suppose they're all different, eh? I could just do with having a big sleep, you know?!