How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

I know DS can STTN by now he'll be 5 mos next week. He still gets up about 3x a night to feed/nurse. I'm not sure if he needs these feedings, how can I get him to drop at least one of them, I'm beyond exhausted...!

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

can you try a paci? Maybe he just needs something to suck on for comfort.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

How much is he eating during the day and how much is he eating at these night feedings.

3 x a night I think is alot at this age. DS is going to be 4 months and isn't a big eater and only gets up once a nite for 3-5 oz. He only eats about 28 oz per day.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Every baby is different, DS did start STTN at the end of 5 months. That's when I started sleep training. Maybe give it another month and see what happens.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

He nurses, so I don't have any idea as far as "ounces" but more times than not he only takes from one side and not for more than 10 mins, so I know he's not really hungry kwim?

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Have you tried rocking him? Or sending DH in to help? I know that my DD will want to nurse when she sees/smells me, even if she doesn't need to. So sometimes if she wakes I'll send my DH in to soothe her. She rejects the pacificer, but allows herself to be rocked back to sleep.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Posted by Linda1003

Posted by Bella311

He nurses, so I don't have any idea as far as "ounces" but more times than not he only takes from one side and not for more than 10 mins, so I know he's not really hungry kwim?

Yeah it sounds like he just wants to be soothed to sleep. Maybe just go in and comfort him and rub his stomach and let him know you are there but don't pick him up. It will take a few nights but maybe that will get him knowing that there is no more feedings at night.. OR just less. Maybe nurse once or twice a night and just drop one.. and then in a few weeks try dropping two if it works. Remember this will take a few nights for DS to adjust so don't give up right away.

I rec a book Healthy sleep habits happy baby!!
Good luck!!

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

I went through the same thing with my twins until 9 months As AP's said-have your DH go in. Cluster feed before he goes to bed...so if he goes to bed at 8-offer him the boob at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 or so. I think I would give him until 6 months then do CIO or have DH go in and comfort him.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Santino is going through the same thing at almost 6 months and in the last week or two he has regressed and is up almost every hour and a half! I'm so tired too. I talked to the ped and he said he is def capable of not eating and sleeping throught the night (he is 21 pounds!). He said now it is up to me and how much more I can keep getting up all night because I am def more of a paci then I meal (he is not hungry at night but does not know how to self soothe and his awaking is becoming more of a habit). Basically when I'm ready to do a little CIO he said, it's my call. He also said to try the crib. Either way I'm not strong enough

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

i started timing the feedings at night - slowly reduced from 10 minutes down to none reducing a minute a nught - for me it made me comfortabl to realize he did not need that feeding.

then the first two nights with no food - my dh was on and he just gave pacifier. we are on1.5 weeks of not feeding at night. i did well with the baby whisper book in getting braedan on a schedule

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

DS is 7 and 1/2 months and I just started working on his sleep this week. He was getting up to eat ( or just nurse for comfort ???) 4 times a night. He was doing most of his eating for the day at night and hardly eating during the day. I stopped feeding him at night cold turkey based upon my doctors advice.

I feel bad doing full blown CIO, so I'm trying the pick up, put down method for nighttime wake-ups. I think it comes from the Baby Whisper. I still nurse him to sleep initially because I don't want to give that up just yet. When he wakes at night, I go in and rub his back if he's crying a little. If he gets hysterical, I pick him up but only hold him until he calms down. Then I put him right back down. I start the process over and repeat it until he's asleep. He did great with it from the beginning. I was surprised that he actually went back to sleep with out eating. Every day this week was better and better . He actually slept from 7:00 until 6:00 with NO wake ups. This was the first time ever!

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

DS is 4 months and has not needed a feeding during the night for awhile now (he's FF though) I dream feed him at 11 too but if/when he does wake in the middle of the night (like 230 this morning) what has been working lately, is putting my hand on his chest (he then takes his one little hand and puts it over mine . we are trying to wean the swaddle ) and tickling his face lightly, he goes right out most of the time by doing that,if not I end up rocking

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

DS was still nursing 2-3 times per night at that age. He'd only nurse for 10 minutes at a time. I was tired, but I still fed him b/c I felt that he was hungry.

At 6 months, he dropped down to nursing once per night and at 7 months, he began STTN.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

My DS is 5 months old (today!) and I started sleep training a month ago. He went from waking 3x per night to once and sometimes never! I used CIO methods w/ check ins at 10 min.

If he wakes, I wait 10 min to go in and try soothing him back to sleep w/o picking him up. 99% of the time he goes back to sleep. If he continues to cry, I wait another 10 min and if he doesn't go to sleep after that (20 min total time), I know he's hungry and I'll feed.

I've read that babies wake and want to nurse/bottle feed out of habit, not hunger.

Re: How do I get DS to drop a feeding to eventually STTN?

paci worked for me