weaning off night feeds, already has no day feeds. 16 months old

[lizzymcfizzy]

hi

I have a 16 month old girl who wakes two to three times a night for a feed. Sometimes she needs it to go to sleep, especially when she is sick.

I'd like to wean her off all night feeds, she doesn't have any during the day and I'd like that to continue.

Is there any other way besides letting her cry it out?? I don't like the idea of letting her cry but if I pick her up and cuddle her she screams for the boobie.

Thanks!

ps, I need to ovulate for another bubby which is why i'm weaning.

[Shaunsmom]

This must be hard for you, I'm sorry that I don't have much for advice.

My only question is...do you need to wean to ovulate (how do you know that you're not already ovulating??)?

I hope things work out for you. Please keep us posted.

[lizzymcfizzy]

hi, well I only just got my period back and I'd like to keep it, i don't think i ovulate with no periods. I have pcos which affects fertility. that and i am lacking in sleep from getting up twice or more times a night for an hour or more.

[cori427]

If you have your period back, I can promise you that you won't stop ovulating from continuing to breastfeed. Your body knows that your baby is nursing little enough to be "replaced." I got my period back when my daughter was 6 months old and she continued nursing 6-8 times a day for months! Yes, even with nursing that much, I continued ovulating and having a period.

[Mei]

I know how you feel, I am in the same boat. I only feed at night, too. I am going to try to wean my son on to a bottle, that way if he wakes up, at least he has something to help him at night, and after awhile he wont need it.

I also have a sister who gave her daughter a bottle full of water at bed time to drink from so she could stop breast feeding.

You shouldn't let them cry, but a little soft fussing for a few seconds sometimes is them dreaming. So just try to do your best, and remember, it is hard being so young, and its hard to give up breastfeeding, it is something they have done all there life, and helps them deal with stress. It makes them feel safe and loved. Keep that in mind when trying to wean, it will help you sympathize with daughter when she is having a hard time giving it up.

You have to replace breastfeeding, not just take it away. so try giving a bottle, and if that doesn't work, try waiting until she wakes up for feeding once or twice a night, It might take a while, just try to make it as stress free for her as you can.