Lately I realized I have been bf-ing DS up to 6 times through the night. I am pretty sure that he really isn't hungry, but nothing I used do works! Any ideas? He self settles with dummy and his wrap through the day and has since birth, so I can't work put why he is constantly nightwaking
Could you try offering him a bottle with water for 1-2 of the feeds when he wakes? It might be he's waking out of habit for boob juice now rather than hunger?
If it's teething, have you tried an amber teething necklace?
Hope he settles into some long sleeps for you soon!
Thanks guys, yep i might get him an amber teething necklace and see if it helps. I do think he is waking from habit sharon, but he also has a bit of a cold so i might give it another week before i decide not to offer the boob. Also, i have been letting him fall asleep at the boob so i am wondering if he is waking wondering where it is gone ifywim?
My DD kept waking at 2am almost on the dot, and whilst she did feed she would hardly have any and just fall back to sleep in my arms. It seemed more habit than hungry, but if I tried to settle her without feeding she really ramped up. DH suggested he go in when she woke and settle her, he did it 3 nights in a row (she didn't even grizzle, just went back off when he patted her) and she has slept through ever since. I did at first feel awful that I 'cut' out her night feed, but as everyone reassured me, she wouldn't have continued sleeping through if she was hungry.
DH thinks he's a hero now too ha ha Every couple of weeks she wakes randomly and I can tell it's a hungry night, so I still offer a BF, but in general she is a great sleeper. With that said I think I'm very lucky and figure it could easily stop any day now, and what worked for us won't always work for others. It could have been pure coincidence that she started sleeping through, but I let him take the credit Hope you get some good sleep soon!
What's happening with solids at the moment? It's possible the balance is a bit off and he's not getting enough milk during the day. Having said that, discomfort is often a big reason for night feeds - it's the best way to resettle when they're unhappy or in discomfort. Lots of work for mum, though
I know DS needed food during the night till 18 months (maybe not typical, but anyway) and wanted to feed very frequently through the night when teething. Amber beads are worth a go, they seemed to help us.
At thsi age they can also get hit with separation anxiety, which will make some babies very wakeful and in need of reassurance and comfort. And again, boobs seem to work best.
One thing that used to work for our two munchkins when they were that age was heating a hot water bottle up and putting it in their cot between the sheets during the final feed, then taking it out of the cot when you put them down for the night. It used to work wonders with them both cos the sheets were comfy and warm, which seemed to be more inviting, rather than cold and 'stark' after the body warmth of having a feed.
Another thing I did with my little 'un (now 22 months, but been doing it since b4 her first bday) is rub a little Vicks Baby Balsam on their chest, neck and back just as the feed is finishing. I'd just get a little on my finger and gently rub into whatever area was easy to reach so I wouldn't have to unwrap them or take any layers off. The essential oils in the Baby Balsam are very relaxing and soothing, and i still use it on Bria now when she wakes sometimes in the night. Even my almost 5 yr old asks for it occasionally!
Very glad you started this thread! My dream baby, who's been sleeping 8pm - 8am (or longer) for the past 2mts (please don't hate me! ) has decided to start waking at night for the last 2 nights!
He's settled pretty easily with boobs so I'm guessing he's hungry, I know if I mention this to anyone they'll say to feed him solids. I don't really want to do that coz I want to do baby led solids, and he's under 6mts, so I guess I keep getting up through the night to breastfeed???
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How to resettle a 6 month old at night?
Hope you get some good sleep soon!
) has decided to start waking at night for the last 2 nights!
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