night weaning and general ?s abt BF 9 mos old

[evjolin]

So I have yet to have more than 4 hours of sleep in a row (and that's a rare treat....usually it's 1-2 hour wakings).

I am thinking of night weaning my 9month old son. Is it too early? Could I at least cut it down to 1 or 2 night feedings?

Also, how frequently should he be nursing during the day at this point? I am really trying to establish a schedule for both of our sanities....I am planning on following the baby whisperers schedule, but he is definitely nursing more often than she recommends. Thoughts?

Appreciate your insight!

[sosurreal09]

IMO (and BTDT) RUN RUN RUN away from the baby whisperer! LOL but seriously

I personally think 9 m/o is way too young to limit/schedule BFing. DD is 18 m/o and just started STTN. I personally feel that night waking is biologically normal and just part of parenthood. I know plenty of babies who still don't STTN that were/are FF or even sleep trained, I think it is less about BFing and more about when that person is ready to STTN.

My DD nurses every 3 hrs or so during the day and that is normal. Some babies only nurse 3x a day at 12 m/o that is normal too. I would just follow your LO b/c he knows how much milk he needs and when.

Tips for night time would be:

1. Unlatch him just as he's falling asleep by leaning back and popping your nipple form his mouth slowly

2. When he wakes don't just give him a breast try and soothe him other ways like by singing and cuddling

3. Try and have DH address NWs more so he gets used to being soothed without milk at night

I have read and had a lot of advice about how to get baby to STTN and many other things, it is all bologna! It just is, all kids are different and there is just no such thing as a cure, of course you can encourage it but there is never a guarantee.

Good luck

[syn_ack89]

Dr Jay Gordon says no night weaning until 12 mos. He has a plan available online.

9 mos is a hard time because they are growing and restless at night because of learning new skills, being more aware. Try and stick it out to 12 mos...you may be surprised at how it will naturally reduce.

[evjolin]

ok....so i have been keeping track of his patterns. he will sleep for 3-3.5 hours his first stretch. then he wakes every 2 hours after that, sometimes more. last night it was SEVEN times. i am committed to breastfeeding longterm, but i really need a break.

we were cosleeping for awhile, but he fell out of bed and also wasnt sleeping great in our bed. we have over time moved him into his own crib in his own room.

i am open to anything that will get me more sleep, i just dont know what to do. the cosleeping wasnt the answer, and i was hoping night weaning would be. what if i slowly cut him down to just 2 feeding at night? i still breastfeed on demand during the day.

[isabchi]

9 mo. is a tought age for mothers.Babies are very busny learning many stuff and lots of changes happens around that age. Are you have help in weekends a few hours in the morning to help to catch up a couple hours of sleep for you?. Do you have some help with the house cores?

I highly not recommend night weaning early that 12 mo. It's normal for babies to nurse many time through the night.