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Is it necessary to wean babies off of night feelings?

I have a four month year old. He eats anywhere from 1-2 times at night. (Night being anywhere from 9-6.) my routine is bath, then feeding and then bed. His schedule changes every night. Sometimes he'll sleep 7 hours, sometimes 4 or 3. It is never the same. He gets breast fed and formula. Yet with the formula only about 6 bottles a week of 6 oz. So mostly he is breast fed. I heard about weaning him off at night, but is it too early? How do I know if he's ready? How can I tell if he's waking out of habit? When he wakes up in the middle of the night I hear him swallowing. I would appreciate your tips and opinions. Thank you!

Posted: 02/05/2013 by JSJJM

Mom Answers

I breast fed my babies at night until they slept through the night. Some were over two years. They say they don't need to eat once they hit a certain weight, but I can't remember what. Something like double the birth weight. I always use nursing as a calming at night because my kids don't use pacifiers. One thing you can do is wait for a few minutes and see if he will go back to sleep. If not, he may need a little comfort or actually be hungry. I like night nursing because it is so easy. Sometimes just a minute or two and it's over. It is a short time in this season of life, so don't feel like you have to stop just because you think it is what you are supposed to do. Just follow you heart and instincts. I am not one to advocate letting a baby cry because I think it makes them insecure. Meeting your little guys needs will give him security in your love and I believe a higher self esteem.
posted 02/05/2013 by sisxs3
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My son is 5 months old and still nurses twice per night, I have read that you can tell that the baby is genuinely hungry if the nurse and don't fall asleep while doing it. My son goes to sleep from 6 to about 1 and the from 1:20 to 4 or 5 then wakes officially at 7. If he seems genuinely hungry i say feed him :)
posted 02/13/2013 by Bubaluv
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