dingOne Feeding a night...Just Go with it...or Not?

Updated on August 30, 2010
R.S. asks from Chicago, IL
7 answers

Hi there,

After 14 months of multiple wakings per night, we're very excited that our baby is now waking just once...(we hope the pattern sticks!). With the development of walking, and a little bit of gentle sleep training, she is now doing beautiful 7, 8, 9 hour stretches. However, after about 8 hours of sleep, she is waking up. Do you think it will pass...and eventually she'll just give up waking up for that comfort/nurse, or should I do what we originally did to help her sleep better...pat her back, walk out...
She goes to bed early...between 6 and 6:30, and so although I know she doesn't need the nutrition during the night, sometimes I feel that after 8 hours, she actually might be thirsty. Thoughts?

Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the suggestions. When it's 3 or 4 am and she's standing in her crib with her soft blankey in one hand, looking up at me and saying, "na na" (nurse), it's just so darn hard not to scoop her up and feed her! I guess I'm never fully convinced that she doesn't need it...

More Answers

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I did what Dori W. did, with both my kids, whom I breastfed.

A child, will naturally sleep for longer stretches the older they get. I never 'sleep trained' my kids. I went by their cues.. and per our Pediatrician who echoed the same thing.
And I ALWAYS knew, when my kids were having growth-spurts... per their increased hunger and intake and sleeping.

Whether she needs the 'nutrition' or not is not the point. If a baby is hungry, they are hungry. Their stomach is empty. That has nothing to do with if they need the nutrition... their body has metabolized their food, already.

sleeping for 8 hours, is a LONG time, for a baby.
Personally, MANY Adults, don't even sleep for that long of a stretch, either.
I don't. Even if I am tired.
If I am hungry, *I* wake too...
Appetites fluctuates... in any person, baby or adult.

My kids, did not sleep ALL night... until they were about 2 years old. Naturally.

all the best,
Susan

3 moms found this helpful
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T.S.

answers from Eugene on

She may actually need the nutrition. 7, 8, 9 hour stretches of sleeping means 7,8,9 hour stretches of growing!!! Even adults wake up with that amount of sleeping needing nutrition--hence the term "break-fast". And yes, she probably does also get thirsty. Perhaps if you are having difficulty with her waking in the middle of the night, since she is sleeping that long but it begins at 6-6:30, you may want to try to manage her going to bed time a little bit. Nurse her at 6-6:30, but try to keep her from falling asleep right then? Perhaps push her naps back a little bit? Try to get sleep time for the night to begin closer to 8 pm?

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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

At 14 months they should be no eating during the night, she also is way past the age where she should be using a cup, drinking regular milk and having 3 meals a day plus snacks and at the table with the family at dinner time. If she is thirst at night, put a cup of water in the corner of the crib if she is still in one and if she wakes up she will see the cup and take a drink. J.

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D.W.

answers from Gainesville on

As long as I was breastfeeding my kids (16 and 20 months respectively) I nursed them when they needed it/asked.

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M.H.

answers from Las Vegas on

According to the many books I have read I believe that they don't need night feeding anymore at this age. Does your 14 month old cry out for you? If not, I would just leave her alone and see if if she can comfort herself back to sleep. I do this with my almost 13 month old and he always goes back to sleep, and the times that he doesn't I will go in and put his blanket on him, pat his back a little and walk out. I think they just need to get used ti this pattern of not eating anymore.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.P.

answers from Boise on

What would it hurt to try the back pat and walk out. My son has been sleeping about 12 hours straight since....now I'm trying to think, maybe 9 months? At 14 months they are able to go that long without food. This is a personal decision though, of how you want to do this, and what you are comfortable doing. If it was me, I would try for the through the night sleeping.

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B.F.

answers from Chicago on

I always took my boys up for one more feeding before I went to bed. That way their 8 hour stretch coincided with my nightly sleep.

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