transition to real milk

did DC sleep better? DD is almost 11 months old and still not sleeping through the night! Many people say when i stop BF and give her whole milk she will sleep longer..but everyone said that about baby food..real food etc and she still isnt sleepin. I am really sad about stopping i love the bonding time it gives us but with me going to school ft its a hassle to pump all the time. How do i go about letting my milk supply run out? Also now i am only pumping when i wake up and when i go to bed in case that helps

Re: transition to real milk

I didn't BF, but my DS didn't sleep through the night until we did CIO when he was 1.

We decided since he was waking up to eat, and he was no longer taking formula, we were no longer going to give him bottles at night.

Re: transition to real milk

thats what i was thinking...Im not sure if shes waking up just to soothe herself by nursing or if she is really hungry. The doctor says she will eat what she needs during the day and doesnt NEED to eat at night so i think CIO will be much easier when i stop bf right now it breaks my heart to just let her cry knowing that she wants my "boob"

Re: transition to real milk

mine did not sleep through night till 20 months old when he moved his mattress in my room.

never a night sleep before 20 months, now 4 months later, he has never woken up.

Re: transition to real milk

I know this is going to come out wrong.

That's total crap from what I've experienced. Transitioning to milk didnt make any of my kids sleep longer. I do agree with your pediatrician that she's probably waking up due to habit than hunger. It's only a matter of breaking that habit.

If you don't have the heart to do it, I'd suggest asking DH to handle it for several days. Sumlynmad had a terrific CIO post if you can find it.

Re: transition to real milk

Re: transition to real milk

IMO, I think your DD is waking up out of habit. She does not need mid of the night feedings at this age (she gets from table food and BM) If you stop feeding her she may not have a reason to get up. I would start out with holding her or rocking her... then ease into the CIO. She will get the hint that there is no feedings.
Your milk will dry up when you stop pumping or feeding off the breast.

Re: transition to real milk

DS didn't sleep through the night until we did Dr. Ferber for three days at 10 months old. He was EBF then FF and that switch made no difference. Adding solids - no difference. Letting him learn how to put himself back to sleep when he woke up in the middle of the night is all that worked

Re: transition to real milk

I didn't do any pumping, but EBF'd DD. She dropped middle of the night feedings at 2 months and has been sleeping through the night since so I can't help you there but I can tell you how I weaned her.

She started solids at 6 months and that is when feedings began to get phased out. At 11 months she started drinking cow's milk with her meals. We slowly phased out feedings, from 4-5 per day to 2, the afternoon ones went first as meals were introduced and we were left with first thing in the morning and bedtime feedings. At about 13 months we stopped the morning feeding and 3 weeks later the bedtime feeding stopped. It happened very naturally for us, she was losing interest and my supply followed. I make sure we get at least 2 cuddle/tickle/snuggle times each day. I still rock her for a few minutes before her naps and bedtime so we still have some of the bonding time. She is a good eater and likes cow's milk. If you have any questions you can FM me.