GW - LO asking for bread, what do I do?

[Keira]

I stopped nursing my toddler (16 mos) at night two weeks ago and am using GW to deal with NWs.  DD still wakes about 4 times a night and asks to nurse, then throws a fit because I refuse.  The first few nights she'd ask for water, so I gave her a sippy cup to take to bed.  Now she's started asking for apples or bread when she wakes.  The first time I gave her a piece of bread and she took a few bites.  But obviously that's not a solution, so the next few times just said, No bread now, it's nighttime, time to sleep. 

I'm already doing everything I can to make sure she eats as much as she possibly can during the day.  Am I doing the right thing by refusing her requests for food at night? I guess I'm just looking for reassurance.

Sorry if this seems like a silly question.  I got a super late start to the whole BW/sleep training thing and am having the hardest time of it.

TIA

[*Becky*]

sounds like you are doing really well
Personally I would not give food in the night so yes you are doing the right thing. Be consistent and it will pay off as once she realises you are not going to give in.
Becky x

[koe2moe]

Hi Keira, these little people are just so smart and resourceful, aren't they?  I guess that's why the key phrase is so important.  "It's sleepy time."  "apple, mama" " it's sleepy time".  She can try and push the boundaries all she wants.  Just stay consistent!  good luck!

[~*Nicole*~]

My DD does this as well. Asks for granola bars and such in the middle of the night! (I've sometimes caved and given in *embarrassed mommy*) but in reality she does not NEED any food overnight. Even if she doesn't eat much dinner, she eats enough through the day and she drinks enough as well. In essence, what I am trying to say is....don't give in and end up like me! It's a pain and it is just a ploy to prolong the going back to sleep and looking for some external comfort of some sort and I am starting to realize I don't want my DD seeking out food, esp. as midnight snacks, for comfort and ending up learning inappropriate eating habits for life! So I am trying to stick to my guns and say it's the middle of the night...time for sleeping, not eating. and that is that. Easier said than done. of course!

[koe2moe]

oh Nicole, hugssss!  Don't beat yourself up.  It's hard.  So don't start negotiating.  Repeat yourself a million times, she will get it.  Don't even try to reason that it's late at night, you can't be hungry, etc.  Just simply put, it's bedtime, it's night time. your key phrase.  You can do it! 

[~*Nicole*~]

I find I "reason" more with her b/c she's been such a talker for so long and she tries to "reason" with us! LOL But you're right. Less is more. hehehe

[koe2moe]

haha  i don't mean normally, i just think that from Super Nanny I learned that there are things that are rules, totally non-negotiable, then don't even start to negotiate.  In the middle of the night qualifies that   But I must admit, I gave in to give DS a bottle at midnight and then he needed a 2nd bottle.  It was just a hungry night, not just snacking. 

In fact, just a month ago, he suddenly needed to take an extra liter of milk in the night for about 4 or 5 nights (he also ate a lot more during the day) and then it's gone.  I could tell him no bottle, and then he whined and went back to sleep.  Perhaps GS?!

[~*Nicole*~]

In her defense, she doesn't just nibble...she'll down whole thing! LOL So I do sometimes wonder if she wakes up too much and feels a bit hungry and doesn't know how to fall back to sleep with a tummy rumbling.

[koe2moe]

Nicole, I thought I was the only one who had an LO who's hungry all the time!!  HUGE hug!!!! 

[Keira]

Thanks guys!  Your support gave me the confidence I needed.  Now that I'm surer of myself, things are getting easier.  And last night, after holding my ground I had proof from DD herself that it's all just a ploy: instead of water or bread, she asked for bubbles! 

[koe2moe]

lol @ bubbles.... party time