How was last night for you Alison?

From memory this was a really tough time sleep-wise when Aidyn was that age. In his case it was teething, I think he had four teeth coming through at once. But he would wake up many times each night screaming, and often a bottle was the only thing that would settle him.

I do not agree with the advice that Tresillian gave you... it sounds very harsh. It may still be that she needs one bottle through the night at this age - perhaps she is going through a growth spurt? And it sounds like you don't like the idea of letting her cry it out, from the fact that you are posting in this forum...

Aidyn used to be very similar to your DD - it seemed that sucking on a bottle was the only way to settle him down a lot of the time, so I too went through phases of giving him a few small bottles overnight. It was the only way to save my sanity at the time, and I chose to do that over letting him cry it out. As he got older he was more satisfied with just coming into our bed for cuddles, and didn't want his bottles anymore.

Perhaps just give a very small amount in each bottle? Or perhaps you could try watering down her night bottles gradually more and more, until you are able to switch it over for water completely, or until she just doesn't want it anymore?

Fionajill is also right, babies can become more clingy around this age - 8 or 9 months is the common age when separation anxiety begins, so perhaps this is another reason why she is waking and getting upset so much more atm.

Try not to lose heart... I know how difficult it can be, and sleep deprivation is just the pits! But I'm sure things will improve for you soon.
I have always found that Aidyn has periods of 'bad' sleep, which may last a few weeks, but then he will go back to his old routine for another few months, and so forth. I don't know if that is normal for every baby, but I'm sure its not that uncommon either.

Please let us know how you are going with it all...