D.S.
Dear L.,
My question is how large are these meals and have you tried nursing before his meals or at least spacing them out? When he first wakes instead of giving him breakfast right away have you tried nursing him first? I would hold off on the meals until he nurses first. Maybe you are trying when his little belly is full and that's were his disinterest comes in. His night time schedule is that of a newborn baby, I don't know how you are functioning for eight months waking up every three hours. I know you said you tried the cry it out method however I am sure in the back of your mind you were thinking he was hungry and fed him. The only way to do the cry it out method successfully in my opinion is you have to be emotionally ready to do it. Once you start it you cannot give in or you have to start all over again. Its like any parenting strategy consistency is the name of the game. My daughter suffered from ear infections so I did not know what sleep was for her first year of life. Once she had the tubes put in her ears and I knew she was pain free, not hungry, not wet, out of sheer desperation and sleep deprivation I did it. It was hard but by the fourth night I had a sleeping baby. Until you can get him to drink more during the day and change around his schedule I would not try the cry it out method. Maybe his meals need to be smaller so he will be hungrier to nurse. If he still shows no interest in nursing then I would say he is not hungry nursing at night is just habit and its up to you and your husband how you handle it. Crying it out is not for every family it is an individual decision, however I am a big believer in it I know it worked for my kids. Good luck I hope you get some sleep soon.