9mo: several night waking + early waking

[jade85]

Pls pls I really need help his nw of 2-4 times everynight since day 1 he was born was too  :'(much for me to cope as im a working mum...Im mentally tired and exhausted, quarreled with husband everyday, and feeling bad that I sometimes see my bb as a liability as its just so frustrating with dealing his nw ! I'm afraid i get into a depression again ! 

[PaulsMom]

Hugs, hun for the nw's.  It is sooo hard when you're tired and you also have to work!  Can your husband help out?  Even on week-ends so you can catch up on sleep?

OK, if independent sleep is the issue and feeding is a prop, then he needs to have some other way to sooth himself to sleep.  Does he have a lovey or a special blankie/ teddy, etc?  There are different methods you can try to get rid of the feed-to-sleep prop. 

the one method that you are doing right now is reducing the amount of formula per bottle over time.  In reviewing one of the FAQs, I think you need to do this more gradually so add 2.5 scoops for 3 nights, then drop to 2 scoops for another 3 nights, etc. 
How we stopped the night feeds with a 9 month old

The gentle removal plan is another method to consider.  Since you are bottle feeding, this is something that your DH can help out with also.  Gentle Removal Plan

[jade85]

Hey yes he has a beanie and a lovely , which he loves hugging them to slp. but that doesnt seems to soothe him also. Yes i read that gentle removal plan in faq but find it hard to identify when he sucking gets slower. As he isnt hungry and doesnt seems to suck vigorously. So I uses the reduced qty during feeding method as per the faq thread as well on jow to drop night feed. But after he finishes his bottled ( reduced quantity) he still cries fuss big time. I resort to giving water instead. okay last nit seems better. He woke ard 1230am, i feed some water he went back slp, woke again at 3am i feed milk reduced by another 30ml from previous 3nights of quantity he slept woke at 530am again I feed again and he fuss a bit then went.back slp till 7am. Am i doing right ? do i feed everytime he wakes up at night ? and what to do if he still fuss after the reduced.milk feed ?

[PaulsMom]

but find it hard to identify when he sucking gets slower

I would watch his neck and jaw to see when he's sucking and swallowing.  Do this during the day when you can see him well. 

I don't want to discourage you but I'm wondering if the gentle removal plan would be better because your LO is using feeding (or sucking) as a prop vs being genuinely hungry at night and needing the night feed.  By reducing the number of calories in a bottle, I think you still may be reinforcing the suck to sleep prop.  I suppose one alternative is if he took a paci then he could use that.  By 9 months, most LOs using a paci can control it themselves so it may not become a prop.