When to stop nighttime feedings
I was wondering when I should stop feeding my daughter at night. She usually wakes 1-2 times a night to eat. She is almost a year old. Some nights she will drink an entire 6 oz bottle or more (formula). Other nights she will only drink approx 4 oz. I have been attempting to give her more to eat in her bedtime bottle and have tried to make sure she is eating a decent amount throughout the day, so that she will not be as hungry at night.
I attempted to cut out her nighttime feeding sessions and at first it went well. Now I am not sure what is going on. I do not know whether or not she is not eating enough during the day or if teething is an issue or if she really is that hungry, but now she has been waking up at midnight and around 4-5 am to eat. If I do not feed her she screams and cries. She refuses to be rocked, does not want a paci and is still not content even after being changed, so I have been feeding her. She does eat quite a bit, so I feel guilty if I do not feed her. I don't understand why it started off well and now we have taken a huge step back. She never screamed or threw a fit before. This is definitely out of character for her. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. She normally goes to bed around 7 pm and wakes for the day around 7 am. I do realize this is a large gap and that it may not be possible for her to sleep all night without eating. I am just looking to hear what others think. Thank you.
I attempted to cut out her nighttime feeding sessions and at first it went well. Now I am not sure what is going on. I do not know whether or not she is not eating enough during the day or if teething is an issue or if she really is that hungry, but now she has been waking up at midnight and around 4-5 am to eat. If I do not feed her she screams and cries. She refuses to be rocked, does not want a paci and is still not content even after being changed, so I have been feeding her. She does eat quite a bit, so I feel guilty if I do not feed her. I don't understand why it started off well and now we have taken a huge step back. She never screamed or threw a fit before. This is definitely out of character for her. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. She normally goes to bed around 7 pm and wakes for the day around 7 am. I do realize this is a large gap and that it may not be possible for her to sleep all night without eating. I am just looking to hear what others think. Thank you.
Comments
@chelcie89 I heard the same thing. I wanted to start giving her water around 9 months, but our Pediatrician was against it.
@janet_2011 I always fed her on demand as well. I was nursing and pumping until she was 7 months, so I was used to it. She started to eat less at night, so I thought it was time. Looks like I was wrong.
@sands3 My Pediatrician told me it was normal and never gave me an age to stop. As long as she is eating and sleeping plenty she was not concerned. I have also heard though that they should be able to sleep through the night without being fed at 6 months. I always wonder if I should have pushed it a little more, but she only wakes up 1-2 times a night, so it isn't so bad.
@char It is like you read my mind. I am so worried that she will continue waking up to eat when she gets older. I just don't know what more I can do. I have tried so many different things. I have a few other options, but I also cannot handle her crying. It breaks my heart.
@homebirthadvocate Is this going to be a problem you think when she is finally drinking cow's milk or goat's milk (We are not sure which one we are using yet. We are having issues with constipation. Hubby wants to talk to doctor first). I don't want her overeating and drinking to much milk and I am worried she will want to drink milk at night. She has been a lot better about eating table foods, but isn't eating enough yet.