8 Mo. Old Getting up for a Bottle

Dear A.,
I remember reading somewhere that just before a baby is about to have a great leap forward in development that she takes two steps back. I went through a similar period with my son. Just when you think you have it under control, you feel set back. Don't worry so much about the bottles because she is probably looking more for comfort than food. Your daughter may be hitting a point when she realized she is "alone" at night or is having nightmares or night terrors. My pediatrician suggested getting a night light and a mirror and it worked for us because he would wake up and think someone else was there. Try Hylands or Humphreys #3 teething tablets. My son still loves them and seemed to help soothe him. You may also read a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child". I swear it works and helps with all types of sleep problems and at any age. Sometimes babies wake early because they either are not getting enough sleep during the day or going to bed too late. Good luck!!
K.

She could be teething if she's been fine before and is all of a sudden wanting the bottle. Maybe the liquid feels good on her gums or the sucking calms her down after she wakes up in pain. Maybe a water bottle in the bottle with her might help. I have done the bottle thing with my daughter when nothing else worked, and I had no problems weaning her off the bottle for good. But, the nighttime habit did continue. I eventually had to let her cry it out and she learned that I was not going to get her. Hope that helps.

My daughter starting doing the same thing at about the same age. The only way I got her to sleep though the night was to make sure she had a good meal before bedtime. She generally eats dinner at 4:30-5 and then have bowl of creal and a bottle at about 8ish and is down by 8:45 and sleeps until 6:30am. Sometimes she wakes up at about midnight but after I hold her she goes right back to sleep. Hope that helps.

F.

Hi A.,
I think a lot of babies stay with a bottle until they are about a year old, and many don't sleep through the night until then either. Your daughter may be gearing up to walk and needs some extra nourishment- babies know when to stop eating if they are full. If she is looking for comfort and you are not sure, try giving her less in the bottle each morning see if she is still cranky, or won't sleep with less in her tummy.
Our son did this for about a week, I didn't worry about it. I gave him the bottle and let him sleep.
I think the best thing you can do is follow your instincts, you have them for a reason.
A lot will change in the next few months as she reaches 1, it seems like just when you get into a groove they switch it up on you. Good luck! I know that the early waking must be hard on you as well.

C.