Is it really that unrealistic to expect my 13 month old boy to go for longer than 2 hours without needing booby??? he feeds pretty much like clockwork every.2.hours. day or night and im starting to get over it a bit. so my question is ( and im pretty sure i know the answer LOL) does my child need 10 to 12 feeds a day when he is eating a normal healthy diet and drinking water???
My DS was the same, it did slow down and he would only feed once/twice a night but he was 2+. For us it corresponded when he got most his teeth, it seemed like he had a new tooth every mnth and it would throw out every routine we tried to establish.
I did go to Trissillian when he was 11 mnths to help with his sleep patterns but when we got back his dad couldn't stand his crying so told me to just feed him.
The only way I have survived is because we got DS a king single.
He starts off in bed on his own and by midnight I had joined him most nights.
it's really tough and I would suggest napping through the day if you need to, to catch up.
I agree with Kelebek...teeth seem to throw everything out of whack!
If it is any consolation my DS started waking only once (and sometimes not at all) at around 18months. Big milestones also seem to throw things out of whack and cause more feeding. I still have days where he wants to feed all day and others where I realise I have only breastfed him once that day! Learning to walk settled my DS down alot...I hope your little one gets past his big obstacle (whatever it may be) and calms down the constant feeding soon!
I also agree that napping with them is a lifesaver...Breastfeeding lying down saved my life!!! LOL!
I also found when they were going through a developmental leap or were sick the feeding definitely increased and we had some days with fewer and fewer feeds. (thanks for the reminder RRR )
That's ok Kelebek!! It is surprising how you do occasionally forget how hard it was at times!! Which is another good thing for the OP...none of this is forever!! One day you too will be casually saying 'oh yeah I think I remember DS used to feed constantly whenever this or that happened......' It will pass! But meanwhile nap, nap and nap whenever he does!
ETA - just looked at your original post and I spotted you have older kids! I guess you know already everything I just said! Sorry!
Just echoing what others have said - it sounds like he is going through a developmental milestone and is feeding for comfort. So he does not "need" it nutritionally, but perhaps does need the comfort. It will pass. However, I do sympathise with the frustration of still feeling like a walking milk factory. I often get days where I am completely over breastfeeding. Could you try distracting him when he asks for boobie, e.g. saying "okay, after I've done x..."
It is difficult - I think that you have a couple of options, but neither of them are much fun.
option 1 is night weaning - which is likely to involved much cuddling of grumpy baby, and may actually not lead to much more sleep
option 2 is to encourage day feeding - including cluster feeding - in the hope that the night waking is lessened
just thought i would update a bit.. we have been doing almost tough love for 5 days now LOL ( he goes into hit cot awake and i sit beside him until he falls asleep) the first day he took just over an hour to go to sleep.. no tears just a lot of attention seeking, silly noises kisses ect and last night it took 4 mins of sitting there before he was fast asleep! He does still wake up every 2-3 hours but i go in and give him his water cup lay him down and he is asleep with in a minute. I do still let him have 1 breast feed over night at about 12.30-1 am but i make sure he stays awake and goes into his cot awake at the end of the feed! He is also having a day sleep!! 2 hours a day, i know its probably not enough still but it is way better than his previous attempts at a nap LOL
thanks Helle to cause there is no way i would have lasted with out your messages LOL
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BellyBelly Member
is it really that unrealisitic ??
it's really tough and I would suggest napping through the day if you need to, to catch up.
)
It is surprising how you do occasionally forget how hard it was at times!! Which is another good thing for the OP...none of this is forever!! One day you too will be casually saying 'oh yeah I think I remember DS used to feed constantly whenever this or that happened......' It will pass! But meanwhile nap, nap and nap whenever he does!
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