How do I encourage my infant not to nurse at night?

10 Comments

1. Elora Danan says:

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   Breastfed babies have better arousal from sleep at 2–9 months.

   While breastfeeding is a natural human activity, difficulties are not uncommon. Putting the baby to the breast as soon as possible after the birth helps to avoid many problems.

   Feeding a baby "on demand" (sometimes referred to as "on cue"), means feeding when the baby shows signs of hunger; feeding this way rather than by the clock helps to maintain milk production and ensure the baby’s needs for milk and comfort are being met. However, it may be important to recognize whether a baby is truly hungry, as breastfeeding too frequently may mean the child receives a disproportionately high amount of foremilk, and not enough hindmilk.

   Experienced breastfeeding mothers learn that the sucking patterns and needs of babies vary. While some infants’ sucking needs are met primarily during feedings, other babies may need additional sucking at the breast soon after a feeding even though they are not really hungry. Babies may also nurse when they are lonely, frightened or in pain.

   also… A breastfeeding woman may not ovulate, or have regular periods.
2. Ethel says:

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   Sounds about right for an 8 month old, it won’t be much longer, I promise.

   Seriously, the middle of the night is not the time to cut feeding him, he still needs it.
3. Supermom says:

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   Ethel’s right, i just want to add that 5 hours is the medical definition of "through the night" so you’re getting there Hang in there
4. dede says:

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   Try giving him a little cereal at night, he should be old enough, but check w/ doc if you are not sure.
   Time goes by so fast with your baby… he will be sleeping through before you know it!
5. Mary F Sunshine says:

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   Wait a few minutes before you go in there. If you jump out of bed at the first whimper, he’s going to associate night waking with night feeding. Try waiting 5 minutes each waking tonight, then gradually increase it.

   Also consider having your husband respond instead of you since he’s not the milk machine.

   Your child doesn’t *need* to eat at night any more. It’s purely a want. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing for him to IF you’re ok with it, but if you’re not down with being up all night, there’s nothing wrong with encouraging him to sleep longer.

   Lastly, with my own daughter (9.5 months) I find that she doesn’t get nearly as worked up when we DON’T respond to her night waking as she does if someone walks into her room, attempt to sooth her and then leaves again. It’s either that we leave her alone and she’s back to sleep in a few minutes or we go in there and she’s up for 30 min – an hour.
6. pumpkins says:

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   Nursing at night is normal for a kid that age.
7. simply-remember says:

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   sorry , he still needs to nurse. He not only does it for comfort but because he gets hungry.
8. Smurf Me says:

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   Breast milk digests completely in about 2 hours, so you can assume that your baby is still hungry when he wakes up. If you google Dr. Jay Gordon you can get his method of night weaning, which is a gentle and loving way to do it as opposed to letting your baby cry alone in the dark.
9. Rachel from Electricians Cheam says:

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   Very interesting !
   .-= Rachel @ Electricians Cheam´s last blog ..Electrician Epsom, Electricians in Epsom – NRT Electrical =-.
10. MEDICAL BOOKS says:

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