BF during the night Q

Hi,

At present I currently BF my baby during the night when she wakes, I have been told by PN that I can stop now as it won't be the feed she wants more the comfort or a drink and I can offer water instead.

However, IMO I think it's easier to just BF...

Am just wondering for those that have BFd like this, did it affect your baby/childs sleep as they got older... E.G as a 2, 3, 4 year old etc - did then wake during the night for whatever reason regularly?? (Iygwim)

Thanks in advance!

We stopped BF during the night when Clodagh was about 10/11 months old mainly cos she was doing it 2-3 times a night and mucking about a bit, not really drinking. Plus I found out I was pg again and my nipples were really sore. So we night weaned her and TBH I think she sleeps better now without it although she's still a crap sleeper lol so who knows?!! I say do what works best for you and Lily. If I could've demand fed through the night as easily I def would've. BF's not just about nutrition hehe

I agree -- I think that it would be easier to BF than give water -- at least BF is "on tap"

But also, breastmilk has lots of immunulogical (sp?) benefits as well -- if you are happy breastfeeding, why stop??

My son was a terrible sleeper till he was 10 months old. Well actually he started off ok but that changed. He ended up in bed with us every night and i would just feed him back to sleep, quite often some nights.

When he got to 10 months he started sleeping better and it wasn't long before he would happily go off to sleep on his own and sleep 11-12 hours a night. Ever since then he has slept well and only wakes during the night if something is wrong. He happily runs off to bed every night. Hehe.

My girl is finally sleeping better. She sleeps through some nights, other nights she'll wake and i just put her in bed with us. I weaned her at 9.5 months and she hasn't had milk during the night since then.

If you don't mind feeding her during the night then just carry on with it.

I am still feeding my 9 month old during the night, sometimes not for hunger. It is nice to know I am not alone :-)

I was the same with DD -and it didnt bother me when it was once a night -as like you I thought it was just easie, but it turned into 2-3 times a night at about 8 months - so, for me, I decided enough was enough. I thought she couldnt be THAT hungry.   So thought I would try the water thing - so with DH help - he went in the 1st night, she cried in his arms for about 15 minutes and took a little sip of water then went back to sleep, and didn't wake again. Second night she woke once again and refused water from him, and after a cuddle she went back to sleep . Third night she slept through, and has continued to sleep through ever since.
I think had she drunk heaps of water, I would have thought, yep she is thirsty and contiued to BF her - but she proved she was only doing it for comfort, so am glad I tried it!

I breastfed at night till about 11months, and yip she was waking 2-3 times a night sometimes
I decided that 11 months was enough for the night feeds and over a week or two would offer breast the first time then water all the times after. Now she still wakes once more often than not (though getting better) but settles well with a cuddle and a quick sip of water.

Me too Lil_Nic9! Last night it was five times :-(

I was feeding through the night till around 12months, when i decided to gradually try stopping. What i did was if he woke before 12 then he got water, if it was after then i gave him boob, and then the next week if it was before 2am all he got was water and gradually stretched it out like that. I felt mean and couldnt just say none at all because i was worrying he was hungry. It probably took all of a month, i cant really remember but now he sleeps through the night with no feeds.

I am scared because I have tried EVERYTHING other than CIO and nothing but boob seems to work. So I guess I am petrified that I will end up having to use CIO and I can't stand listening to him cry.

PS I have tried reducing the feeding time and he just gets upset and cries.