How to wean 4 mt old from night feeding

[carolina_bug]

I'm just wondering what the best way to wean my 4 mt old from his night feed is.  He goes to bed between 6:30-7:00 and then has a DF at 10:30.  He usually sleeps until 2 or 3 and wakes up to eat.  Sometimes he will wake again before his 6:30-7:00am wake time, but he will fuss for a few min and then go back to sleep. 

He has slept through until 5:30 several times, so I know he can do it.  Plus, he's not starving in the morning when I try to feed him.  He's on a 4 hour EASY, has a good first nap, but a 45 min second nap, then a CN before bedtime.

Should I try to decrease the amount of time he's eating as he is BF at night, or just drop it cold turkey??  It's really affecting my sleep after the 3 am mark.  I can't seem to have a decent sleep after that and I'm waking every 30 min to an hour after that.

thanks.

[Shiv52]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I think you have to keep it up.  At 4  months a DF and a NF is totally normal.  If you really feel you  need to drop it I would decrease the amount and definately not go cold turkey.  Can you feed him in bed lying down at that 3am feed and get DH to resettle him back to sleep.  Or how about pumping and getting DH to give a bottle at that time every other night. 

[carolina_bug]

You're not the bearer of bad news at all!  I thought I read that a 4 mt old could sleep through at this stage.  If not, that's cool too.  My DH can't really do it b/c I can't get enough when I pump.  He's not the greatest eater, I've tried lying down with him and he's just uncomfortable and twists and turns my nipple to shreds!

I'll just have to figure out something to help me resettle after I've fed him.

thanks!

[Shiv52]

I could never be bothered With pumping. So at night I'd feed an then kick DH and get him up to do the resettling. Would your DH be up for that?

Some 4 month olds can sleep through but it is the exception rather than the rule. Here is also a huge growth spurt in and around now so you could be hitting that and after it LO may sleep longer stretches for you x

[carolina_bug]

He resettles fine.  He actually falls asleep while eating and I put him down right away.  The problem is "I" can't resettle!  After I've been up, I'm up.

[mama04]

I agree with Shiv52. My son didn't sleep through (drop the night feed) until six months. He is 7.5 months now and I still do the DF.

[Shiv52]

Oh sorry!

After I've been up, I'm up.

I remember that with my DD1.  And by the time you got to sleep it was time to feed or get up again.  UGH.  my uncle told me to do relaxation exercises and they actually worked as my mind used to run away and then I'd be lying frustrated I couldn't sleep and knowing i'd be up soon etc and it was a vicious cycle.  So he'd said to block any thoughts and start at your toes and stretch them and imagine they are relaxing then feet, ankles,calfs and so on.  WHole way up your body.  For the first week I had to go through my whole body about 4 times but after a couple of weeks i'd only get to my knees and i'd be out.  Worth a try? xx

[lynners]

I struggle 'settling myself' with night feeds too.  I was recommended a herbal sleep aid 'Passion Flower' and it has really helped.  Just another idea and ok with breast feeding.

[Erin M]

There are some meditation/relaxation things you can download from iTunes that some people have sworn by.

[carolina_bug]

Thanks all.  I'll try the meditation and passion flower.

[Ernest's mum]

Try Barts Rescue Remedy Night Time drops - they work well and I really used them for my baby number 1!

[carolina_bug]

I've actually been doing the relaxation starting at the toes and working up.  It really helps!

[Shiv52]

I've actually been doing the relaxation starting at the toes and working up.  It really helps!

Woo hoo!  Once I practiced it, it really helped me!

[Erin M]