Author Topic: How do I eliminate the night feed?  (Read 1371 times)

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Offline Doj

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How do I eliminate the night feed?
« on: March 20, 2006, 14:04:26 pm »
Currently I have a 15 week lo who still wakes up at about 4 to eat a 5oz bottle. I feed her every 3 hours, but it seems that her first bottle in the morning she will only take about 2 oz at most and her DF is a full 6 oz.
I was thinking that i should start reducing the amount that i give her at 4am starting from 4oz and every 3 days dop down 1 oz  with the hopes that she will take more in the morning and then throughout the day. I have tried cluster feeding, it doesnt really work well because she will then refuse the dream feed. I have also tried to up her day bottles, but she doesnt want any more.
Has anyone tried this before? or does anyone have suggestions as to what worked for them?

Thanks
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Offline LŠuren

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2006, 14:58:59 pm »
« Last Edit: March 20, 2006, 15:01:18 pm by Calums_Mum »
Lauren x


Offline Colin Macs Mom

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2006, 17:16:28 pm »
15 weeks is rather young to stop a night feed, but if you feel she's ready then try, but I would also say be prepared for her to not be there yet.
Jessica
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Offline Doj

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2006, 17:48:43 pm »
Thanks for the article! What is roughly the normal age that they stop waking up in the night? I have been reading that 3 months or so is when they usually stop. I also thought since she is not eating her first bottle its because she is eating too much at night.
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Offline Colin Macs Mom

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2006, 18:07:16 pm »
It depends on the lo really, my ds doesn't have a night feed anymore but we still get up once or twice (on good nights) with him. But he's not as good a sleeper as many. That 3 month thing is a myth!

If your lo is not eating her first bottle in the morning then that is a sign that she's eating too much at night. We eliminated the night feed by the watering down technique (my ds is bottle fed) and it took only 4 days. We never had to go past one less scoop!
Jessica
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Offline Doj

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2006, 19:29:49 pm »
Do you think that the watering technique is a better one rather than just eliminating an ounce every 3 days or so?
Normally she takes 5 oz at night, I was going to reduce it to 4 for 3 nights, than 3, 2 etc till hopefully no feed. I might be aiming high, I just thought that I would try it especially since she will not eat her 730 am bottle.
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Offline Colin Macs Mom

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2006, 19:32:47 pm »
I don't think that one is necessarily better than the other, it just depends on which way works better for your lo. So try whichever way you think will work, and if it doesn't try the other.
Jessica
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Offline Leah's Mom

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2006, 21:11:32 pm »
FYI - at 3 months it is still pretty comman to have a nightfeed.

In regards to the watering/versus reducing the ounces. You may want to reduce ounces since your LO is still so young. I find the watering down technique works better for older infants that are feeding that REALLY do not need to eat at night.
Christine
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Offline LŠuren

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #8 on: March 21, 2006, 11:58:43 am »
Doj, sorry I couldn't get on any sooner, split coffee on my keyboard.

Yes, the link given was for when your LO is off any age where you can start this, right now isn't the time. MY DS was still waking up twice in the night with genuine hunger.
Lauren x


Offline Doj

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #9 on: March 21, 2006, 14:06:32 pm »
I guess the reason I thought that she was ready  to eliminate the night feed is because she is not taking in as much during the day due to the amount that she takes at night.
Do lo's just stop waking up at night when they are ready?
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Offline LŠuren

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #10 on: March 21, 2006, 14:09:14 pm »
Hiya in my exerience, yes they do it themselves.
Lauren x


Offline Leah's Mom

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Re: How do I eliminate the night feed?
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2006, 20:07:48 pm »
I agree with Lauren, in most cases LO's will stop waking when they no longer need to feed. I think this will be your case, since right now she is only waking once for a feed. If she starts waking many times and the only thing that settles him down is a feed, then you may have a problem.
Christine
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