I have a wonderful 10 month old son - he sleeps in his own crib. While he falls asleep on his own with no problem (usually around 7 pm) - and right before bed has a 9 to 10 oz bottle (mind you this is after his 6PM dinner of noodles, some kind of protein, fruit, and toast). Over the last 3 weeks he had developed a habit of waking at least 3 (usually 4) times per night to drink a 6 to 8 oz bottle of formula - usually in 2 hour internvals (for example last night: sleep at 7 pm, up at 10 for 8 oz. / up again at 12:30 for 6oz / up again at 2:30 for 5 oz. / up again at 4 AM for 8 oz. - then up for morning at 6 AM).
I have tried to water down the formula or offer just water to discourage the night feedings once or twice - but usually he will down the bottle of water and about a hour later be up again for a bottle. Oddly, my ravenous little angel is in the 50% for weight and height - though with all the feedings (and he is a GREAT eater during the day) you think he would be pretty hefty.
How do I break this habit so we can get a good night sleep? I know I created this habit by feeding him during the night while he was ill - prior to that he would sleep 8 to 10 hours straight - I've continued to feed him since it seems to be the only way he will fall back to sleep.
You are definately not alone. Mine is doing the same thing. Well just as fast as the habit started he is back on track again. I wish I could tell you what is making him sleep through again. Though I have seen a pattern with teething and colds. I think the eating helps soothe when they wake up. Let me know if you find out anything good!
Hello,
I have this theory that has been brewing around in my head lately and maybe it will help you and maybe you'll think it is just quack advice, but here it goes. Kids are all about growing phsically, mentally and emotionally. The ultimate of self-awareness. I have talked to a bunch of friends when their kids seem to regress in their behavior and the one thing they have in common is a new developmental milestone. So, my theory is when they learn something new they need to know that their parents are still there to support them. They test this by regressing into past behavoir we know they have licked. Like sleeping with a bottle. It's their way of ensuring we support them while they try out new things because they are feeling a little hesitant. Your boy has just started walking right? Maybe he just needs a bit more cuddling and attention while he is taking on this new skill. Let him know you will always be there while he explores his world. When you is more sure of himself the bottles at night may (or may not) naturally wean themselves. This is just my theory. Take it or leave it. Good luck!
Hi C.,
My mom used to say that little birds eventhough they are small, don't eat during the night.
The idea is. If you baby gets something to eat everytime that he wakes up, then he will keep waking up for more.
It will be hard to break the habit, but it will take some sleepless nights. You could give him a bottle when he goes to sleep at 7 pm. If he wakes up again in the middle of the night to eat, just go check on him. Make sure that his diaper is Ok, and leave the room. He might go back to sleep or he will cry him self to sleep.
This will eventually teach him that there is no food for him if he wakes up in the middle of the night.
Good luck to you. You should also see if maybe he is teething and his gums are bugging him.
Best to you!
I am a believer in the Ferber method and our 9 month old sleeps though the night (except when she is sick, of course). We were successful with diluting the formula to the point of just water over 5 nights and soon she wasn't waking up anymore. I also would let her cry for a bit before rushing to get her in hopes she would put herself back to sleep, which she does do. I just listen to her cries as I can tell if she's crying so hard that going back to sleep will not happen. Babies are smarter than we want to give them credit for. They learn that if they cry, we will come and what a benefit for them if we come with a night snack! As easily as they can learn that, they can learn to sleep through the night. Although I get full nights out of my baby, there are some nights she gets up. I just accept it and appreciate the nights I can sleep all the way through. Babies go through alot that could get them up - teething, earache, etc. Hunger shouldn't be one of them. Just be patient. Good luck!
The Ferber book also has a section on eliminating night feedings. Basically, you want to cut an ounce from the bottle each successive day. So on the first night instead of feeding him 8/5/6 oz, you'd feed him 7/4/5 oz (for each of the 3 feedings). Also, don't go running to the crib. Following night drop to 6/3/4 oz. Then 5/2/3 oz. Apparently most babies get so frustrated once you get down to 1-2 oz that they just give up and stop waking up. Basically, your son is hungry at night because he "expects" to eat at night.
C., I have absolutely no help for you--except to tell you that you're not alone! I was logging in this morning to ask the very same question about my 9 month old boy, who also just started walking (holding onto a little cart). I've heard that it becomes hard for them to get any rest when they are learning new skills because they wake up in teh night and want to practice....maybe that's it. Maybe it's the teeth. I tried feeding him jsut a bottle of water and he downed it and wanted more at 2:30. Last night he slept throught he night, i think--or it may be that i was so tired i completely forgot to turn on the baby monitor so maybe he woke up but i didn't hear him? Although, if he cries loudly i can hear him anyway (his room is right next to ours) through teh wall. ANYWAY, jsut wanted you to knwo your'e not alone! If i get any good advice from elsewhere I'll report back :-) L.
While I agree with what many people are saying I often question this mind set that people have
"After 6-7 mos most babies should be physically able to sleep through the night"
My son is 10 months and sleeps from 6PM-6AM. I know that I could not go 12 hours without eating. Our doctors encourage us to offer three meals a day and two snacks, stating that babies need to eat more frequently. Why is this mind set different at night? I am not saying that babies this age should eat every two hours, but why is it so wrong that babies still wake up 1-2 times per night to eat? Yes babies know cause and effect and yes they feel comfort from food but who doesn't. I think our society equates good parenting techniques with how often your baby wakes at night OR if they are sleeping through the night yet. I am not speaking about serious wakings such as what C. is experiencing but lets be realistic about what our babies can and cannot do and not make people feel pressured to achieve a goal that one baby can accomblish but that another cannot.
Sorry for the soapbox!!
I totally agree with Alina that by feeding them you are encouraging them to wake up. Even if they seem hungry and finish whatever u give them. The fact is, they wake up out of pure habit. After 6-7 mos most babies should be physically able to sleep through the night (unless they are preemies, etc). We had to sleep train our daughter who was waking up in the middle of the night out of habit. It took 3 nights and she has been sleeping 12-13 hrs since. Use the modified Ferber approach where you go in to check them in longer and longer intervals. After a while, he will realize he's crying for nothing and go back to sleep. Take this advice with a grain of salt, not everyone agrees on this method. But it works.
I really think you are correct in continuing to feed your son whenever he wakes up. He is hungry, though, so I would not add extra water to his formula. Maybe his is going to go beyond the 50% mark and it is taking awhile for you to see any weight gain. Also, since he is walking and more curious about his surroundings in general, he needs extra calories! This could be considered a phase or a growth spurt, he could be teething, he could have separation anxiety---any or all of the above. Always feed a baby who appears to be hungry. This is only a phase and you were extremely lucky to have a baby who slept 8-10 hours straight! Unfortunately, sleep deprivation is part of the package. Is your husband helping you with these night feedings? If not, he should be.
Amy
