Not sleeping thru the night yet

Megan - posted on 12/28/2009

Even though babies are growing rapidly at this age, i think it is important to remember that we as adults dont generally get up for a night feed so my way of thinking is that it is not necessary for them to feed either!! By continuosly giving in on the night feeds you are paving the way for this to become a continuing habit!!! Babies are so prone to routine that if you feed them during the night they will continue to want to be fed during the night and it wont just suddenly stop....it will go on and on and on!!! Be patient, watch the clock......10 minutes of crying does seem like forever but its only 10 min and then start again.....I would say avoid the feeds otherwise you will never have a peaceful night!!!

Katherine - posted on 12/20/2009

Mine too, but i still wrap her nice and tight with one arm out and she seems happier with that and sleeps most nights but other nights i still feed her. My eldest did it til she was 1 1/2 and eventually stopped on her own. Don't stress he'll get out of it.

Vicky - posted on 12/19/2009

My EJ has his nights sometimes he sleeps through the nite and sometimes he wakes up for a bottle at 3 and 6 i'm just hopeing he is hitting a growth spurt

Jo - posted on 12/19/2009

I would also like to point out that this age is very common for seperation anxiety and leaving your baby to cry it out will not solve that issue, in fact it makes it worse as you are affirming their feeling of being abandoned. reassure your baby by going in to pat him/her back to sleep should help with this. Its really up to you, if you want to keep feeding your baby in the night then you will do it, no point asking for help about it if you dont actually want to change anything. When i say its out of habit they wake for food, its a body thing, if you eat at the same time everyday your body will eventually begin to feel hungry the same time everyday, its the same for babies

Alyssa - posted on 12/19/2009

Definitely. Maddy still wakes up AT LEAST once a night. Although sometimes she sleeps all night long, if she does wake up she's hungry.....and will scream at you when you don't move fast enough to make her bottle.

Tiffany - posted on 12/19/2009

I have a 11 month old. She still gets me up most, though not all nights 1 time. I am breast feeding and I talked to the lactation consultation, she said if she is getting enough during the day, that she really shouldn't need much at night, definitely not more then 1 feeding. She went through a phase when she was getting me up several times and when I took her to the doctor she told me to let her cry or only pat her, not to pick her up. However, she did have an ear infection and when that cleared up she went back to once a night and I never let her cry. Now, if she takes most of a feeding I am find getting up once. However the other night she only ate for a couple of minutes, which is a snack not a feeding, so when she started doing that I decided it was time to stop the feeding. And she started going through the night. She still wakes me up probably 50% of the nights and I feed her and put her right to bed, I don't cuddle with her long, I just put on the music, feed her, then put her down and she goes to sleep, that way she knows if she wakes up I will attend to her and feed her, but its not play or cuddle time, it is sleep time. I think you should be able to shave at least one feeding off. I would decide which one to get rid of and not give him a bottle that time. Soothe him until he goes to sleep, even if it takes an hour or more to get him back to sleep, but don't give him a bottle until the time you are going to keep. When I have done this, Bella after 1 or 2 nights starts sleeping through that time. Good Luck!

Chaunte - posted on 12/19/2009

I used 2 have this problem my son is now 11 mons and he always slept ok thruout the nite even as a newborn it wasn't as bad as some babies I've heard of that jus stay up all nite he woke up twice jus 2 eat and rite back 2 sleep. But anyway at about 9 mons he kept wakin up cryin and I thought that was 2 old 2 still be wakin up so I started feedin him his dinner food about a hr be4 his normal bedtime as much as he wanted and then 15 min be4 normal bedtime I fed him some fruit as much as he would eat then at bedtime id make him a full bottle wit cereal in it and that helped 4 a while then he started wakin up again and as much as he eats I couldn't understand y he was wakin up 2 eat in the middle of the nite 2 and sometimes 3 times. He was not hungry u have 2 trust that u know uve fed them enuff durin the day that they cannot possibly be hungry so I kept feedin him durin the day as much as he wants and puttin the cereal in his bottle at nite but ill wait 4 him 2 fall asleep and take his bottle out his crib and put a bottle of water there so now when he wakes up he drinks some water and go back 2 sleep I don't even hear him wake up most of the time anymore. I seen some ppl say they jus can't not feed their child at nite when they r cryin 4 it u know your child best but from my experience its not cause they hungry and sometimes the babies do somethin cause they know how u will respond 2 it, they know if they cry u will come runnin 2 get them so that's y they do it. They r very smart. Also its not good 2 give a bottle of milk durin the middle of the nite cause that milk sittin on their gums or w.e teeth they have can possibly rot their teeth. So gd luck ladies I hope u find your solution that will keep u and your baby sleep thru the nite

Karolina - posted on 12/19/2009

Quoting Kerry:

Quoting Ashley:

As hard as it may be, let him cry it out. I did this with my daughter and she sleeps through the night. Put him in be tired but awake and give him a quick kiss and leave the room. I let my daughter cry for 10 minutes and then went back to her room to calm her down but DO NOT pick him up or get him out of the crib. Stay a maximum of 1 minute and leave again for another 10 minutes. Trust me it works but you have to have the will power to do it. The first few night really hard but eventually you can just lay him down at night and he'll go to sleep on his own. He is probably just waking up in the night and is unable to put himself back to sleep. Good luck!

i would agree with that for nap time, but when its the middle of the night and u know ur child is screaming for food....i will not ignore that!!

I agree with you Kerry. I can't let my son cry for 10mins or 5mins. I will just try until he passes this phase of waking up. Anyways, he used to awake 2 times, now only one because he gets tired on his own now that he crawls and stands.

Jessica - posted on 12/18/2009

my son ryan wakes up once for a bottle during the night. his doctor said i should stop giving it to him? but i feel the same way if he is hungry why would i not feed him and make him try to go to sleep like that? the way i see it, with this bad flue season upon us keep feed the babies. they will need the extra food to help their immune systems if they get sick

Holly - posted on 12/18/2009

I have 3 kids. My first started sleeping through the night at 4 weeks old. My second woke up every 2-3 hours in the night until after he turned 1 year. Now my 3rd( my 10 month old) sleeps and only wakes up once. The doctors will tell you what they think will work best and a lot of the times they are right, but remember. He is still your baby and every baby is different. So he just might be a hungry baby like my 2nd one But not to worry, it will get better. I promise. I am so sleep deprived with 3 kids under 5 years old but I am very thankful that my 3rd does sleep most of the night.

Rachael - posted on 12/18/2009

I'm not convinced by the argument that it's just out of habit, not hunger. I think we are a society of parents who want everything to happen on their timing because so many are working and parenting babies at the same time. I don't see how Max, who was premature but is also now big for his age (80th percentile), could get enough nutrition during the day to make up for lost bottles at night. I think if it was a comforting thing he'd just take a few ounces, but he's actually putting 6 to 8 ounces away. He's a very active kid. I just think he needs the calories right now and so I'll tough it out.

Angel - posted on 12/18/2009

My daughter is 11 months and has been sleeping through the night since she was 5 mths old. We did cry it out for naps, and that took care of the nights for us as well, than goodness!! I just elimated one feeding at a time, 1st the 1 AM, just rocked her, then put her back down, patting her, replacing the paci till she learned to sleep thru the 1 Am, then did the same for the 3 AM feeding. At this point, they usually are just waking out of habit, not hunger.

Rachael - posted on 12/18/2009

Max isn't sleeping well yet, either. He also tends to wake up completely and not want to fall back to sleep when I change his diaper--which I have to do! I think the teething is greatly responsible for his sleeplessness. He tosses and turns a lot. He wakes up for about 4 6-ounce bottles during the night, despite the fact he eats well and drinks well during the day. Maybe it's a growth spurt going on, too? Having fewer naps or shorter naps hasn't helped, either.

Jo - posted on 12/18/2009

Hi ladies, my son is 11 months old and there is absolutely no need for feeding in the night, although if you have previously feed throughout the night then their little bodies wake for hunger through habit, the best idea is to wean the nightfeeds slowly, allowing them to make it up throughout the day, so if he usually takes 240mls only offer 180mls for three days and give him extra thoughout the day then after three days offer 140mls at night only and more throughout the day, the idea is that they gain all their calories during the day. I help Mums with these kinds of issues everyday, my son is a big boy, a very healthy appetite and we stopped the early morning feed at 5 months old and stopped the dreamfeed at 7 months old, but to do it abruptly is not fair on them. slow and gentle is the key. Also if you just stop it and let them cry it out, how confusing for them, they dont understand you are changing the rules, this is how its always been done, wean him off if you dont want to let him cry it out and want your full nights sleep back again

Cori - posted on 12/18/2009

Oh yes!! My guy is up two times also! It is so hard sometimes, but I figure he has to sleep through the night eventually, right??!!! Good Luck!

Amanda - posted on 12/18/2009

I think as moms, we need to find the balance between distinguishing their needs from their wants. Not only are we nourishing them and giving them love, but we are also responsible for training them how to live. Every baby is different, but generally, if a baby is still getting up during the night it is for 3 reasons: 1) he/she isn't getting enough during the day to eat or 2) for comfort (teething, etc...) or 3) out of trained habit.

At this age, babies should be able to sleep through the night and not need a feeding. If it is teething, I have given my daughter a dose of infant Tylenol and a few Hyland's teething tablets (they are a miracle in a bottle - and all natural) and she sleeps very peacefully. Good luck to all you moms working on this...I know it is hard. Hang in there.

Mandy - posted on 12/18/2009

Well my Baby is almost 1 now and he still wakes up, not for a feed!! i just give him water, he has about 3 sips and he does not want any more. if i feed him he would take 240mils (almost a full big bottle) and then he leeks through his nappy, so ill have to change him, then he would be awake! SO i give him a sip of water, and ROCK him back off to sleep, (takes about 5mins) some nights he can wake from once up to 7 times, so every night is different, and some nights he sleeps ALL through, but he is teething at the moment AGAIN! He has 3 big meals a day, he has his tea 2hrs before his bath, bottle and bed routine. But still no good. I don't believe in crying it out! ive done SO much research on it, and it does damage to the baby later on in life, all the baby wants is you, if you leave them to cry, yes they do stop! but they know that there carer is not coming for them, they will wake up frightend, and not call out, as no one will come, so they send them selves back to sleep. So why do you want to do that to them! If you happy in going in to them, then carry on, im happy in doing it no matter how long it takes. I was 5 years old till i started sleeping through and my mom left me to cry, but it didn't work!!. x

Amanda - posted on 12/18/2009

what is he eating during the day? maybe you need to up the food intake during the daytime.

Camille - posted on 12/18/2009

Mine still gets up 1-3 times a night, sometimes more. People tell me not to feed her and she'll learn not to get up, but I can't tell her no at this point. I feel like I'm starving her. =/

Kimberly - posted on 12/17/2009

My daughter is 11 months old and still gets up at least twice a night - but just for comforting.

When she cries, I rock her for about 2 minutes and she's out like a light.

Having my sleep interrupted is exhausting me! (I'm one of those who has to have 8 straight hours of sleep to feel rested) I've tried letting her cry it out, patting her behind/rubbing her back while still in the crib - nothing works.

My 3 oldest - all boys - were great sleepers; and sleeping through the night by 6 months. I figure this is my payback for all those easy years with them. :)

Damaris - posted on 12/17/2009

Boy I can relate to so many of you. I'm a first time mom and have waited years to have a child, I am now 38 and its hard to hear our son crying for our attention in the middle of the nite. Yes the doctors say he's a big boy and does not need a bottle in the middle of the nite and i agree HOWEVER... its still hard to hear your baby crying.

A few things I have tried that has helped on and off. 1st as a mom you also need your rest so you can tend to your baby during the day in a good mood. I try not to let him take a nap in the afternoon too late, not past 2 and only let him sleep an hour. Yes I do the nite bath and a bowl of warm cereal but I also put some cereal in his bottle....BAD HABIT probably but it helps keep him fuller during the evening. Also he uses his bottle more for comfort than feeding so i leave a 2oz bottle of water in his crib so when he wakes up in the middle of the nite he just reaches for it and goes back to sleep. He has never cared for a pacifier. I know I now have created another BAD HABIT of removing his bottle to go to sleep but I needed my sleep and this was the only way for me. He does fuss in the middle of the nite but i do not get up i just listen through the monitor for a while to make sure he goes back to sleep. I also have a little tree with lights in his room and I have a lullabye cd that plays and turns off when the cd is done and one of those teddy bears with the heart beat all to help put him to sleep.

Everybody is different and you have to do what works best for you but it helps to hear others advise. Good Luck

Kelly - posted on 12/16/2009

My almost 11 mth old son still wakes up in the early morning hours (4:00 or 5:00 am) for a bottle, sometimes earlier then that. I try giving him water instead or comforting him back to sleep without a bottle. Last night was the first night he slept from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am!! I didn't do anything different though. I was told that babiesthis age wake up out of habit and not because their hungry. I don't do well with the crying it our method.

Christine - posted on 11/28/2009

Yes, I have a 10 month old little girl. She stopped breast feeding completely at the beginning of the month. Since then I have tried to put cereal in a bottle with some milk before bed, but she doesn't like it because it tastes like formula. If I feed her before bed she still wakes up at least once or twice a night. I have read that babies like routine so I have tried to start one. Now I give her a bath, read her a story and give her some warm milk before bed. I find that she goes to bed a little more willingly without putting up as much of a fight. However she does still wake up on occasion. But it is getting better.

Kerry - posted on 11/27/2009

Maybe that works for some babies, that wake up for 1 bottle....but when ur child wakes up for 3 full bottles....u have to think that they are hungry and its not just a comfort thing. Eventually ,maybe when ur child is older, and wakes up for 1 bottle...u could let them cry... but i know i could never let my son cry when i know hes hungry...i dont care if i have 2 get out of my bed 5 times!! im his mom...thats my job!

Liz - posted on 11/27/2009

Quoting Ashley:

As hard as it may be, let him cry it out. I did this with my daughter and she sleeps through the night. Put him in be tired but awake and give him a quick kiss and leave the room. I let my daughter cry for 10 minutes and then went back to her room to calm her down but DO NOT pick him up or get him out of the crib. Stay a maximum of 1 minute and leave again for another 10 minutes. Trust me it works but you have to have the will power to do it. The first few night really hard but eventually you can just lay him down at night and he'll go to sleep on his own. He is probably just waking up in the night and is unable to put himself back to sleep. Good luck!

Ashley is right ladies - it might suck, but at the end of the day babies need to get into the habit of getting a full nights sleep and not waking to eat. Their little bodies will adjust and they will be ready to chow down in the morning. It could take 2-3 nights to make the adjustment but it is worth it for your baby and yourselves. (I'm not a fan of middle of the nights wake-up calls!)

My babies both slept thru the night since 2-3 months old.

Kerry - posted on 11/27/2009

Quoting Ashley:

As hard as it may be, let him cry it out. I did this with my daughter and she sleeps through the night. Put him in be tired but awake and give him a quick kiss and leave the room. I let my daughter cry for 10 minutes and then went back to her room to calm her down but DO NOT pick him up or get him out of the crib. Stay a maximum of 1 minute and leave again for another 10 minutes. Trust me it works but you have to have the will power to do it. The first few night really hard but eventually you can just lay him down at night and he'll go to sleep on his own. He is probably just waking up in the night and is unable to put himself back to sleep. Good luck!

i would agree with that for nap time, but when its the middle of the night and u know ur child is screaming for food....i will not ignore that!!

Kerry - posted on 11/27/2009

yes!!!! my son also wakes up for 2 bottles in the night!!! i tried feeding him more and it didnt help!!! i tried changing nap times...putting him 2 bed later... didnt help.! he drinks the whole bottle 2!! how can it be comfort but he sometimes drinks 3 full bottles??i guess 1 day hopefully in the next year... our kids will decide to sleep the night!

Marquita - posted on 11/26/2009

Hey Alison

Yes my son is 10 months old and he wakes up at least 3 times in the night to nurse. He eats veggies, fruit during the day and he still nurses during the day and into the night. The good thing is I can nurse laying down so he goes right back to sleep.

Alison - posted on 11/26/2009

thanks ladies, I think i'm just gunna keep feeding him when he wants it. His night feedings are as routine as his daytime ones so I can only assume it's a hearty appetite. He's a big boy (wearing 2T) and ignoring him is not an option for him =)

Ashley - posted on 11/24/2009

As hard as it may be, let him cry it out. I did this with my daughter and she sleeps through the night. Put him in be tired but awake and give him a quick kiss and leave the room. I let my daughter cry for 10 minutes and then went back to her room to calm her down but DO NOT pick him up or get him out of the crib. Stay a maximum of 1 minute and leave again for another 10 minutes. Trust me it works but you have to have the will power to do it. The first few night really hard but eventually you can just lay him down at night and he'll go to sleep on his own. He is probably just waking up in the night and is unable to put himself back to sleep. Good luck!

Samantha - posted on 11/24/2009

my little boy is also 10months old and i'm having the same problem we tried giving him porridge for supper last night and fingers crossed it worked last night he slept from 7.30pm till 6.45am x

Natasha - posted on 11/24/2009

yes Alison, I'm having this problem too, my son is 10months old, and he too gets up at least once for a feed, sometimes even 3-4times.i asked my pediatrician about the night feeds and he said they're better avoided.but what i don't understand is how not to feed your baby when he's hungry and gets up because of that.Also, sometimes he takes my feed for just a min or so and falls back to sleep again which again makes me think whether he got up because of hunger or due to some other reason.I have tried everything from bathing and massaging before sleep to light music to giving him different kinds of foods at night, but nothing seems to work.so I've actually given up now, and am simply hoping that this phase will pass!