Weaning 15 Month Old from Night Feeds?

Updated on August 05, 2009
C.N. asks from Mammoth Lakes, CA
7 answers

I have a wonderful 15 month old little boy who I am still breatfeeding 2-3xs a day, once during the day and trying once at night. I have tried to make the feedings one in the morning and one right before bed, but he wakes up constantly through the night and cries and then squirms around all night if I don't feed him at least once during the middle of the night. So far I am getting less sleep now than I have in months. This has been going on for about 10 days.
I am going on my first vacation away from him since he was born in a month (my little sister's bachelorette party) and leaving him with my husband for 4 days... I'm a little freaked out. So I guess I have 2 questions. What is the best way to stop the middle of the night feedings and try to force him to sleep through the night without eating? Also, how do I now go from 2-3 feedings a day to none in a month's time?
A little more info, he still sleeps with us, which I am planning on stopping after my trip. I don't want to totally freak him out and impose too much change at once. Also, he is very small for a 15 month old, only 16 pounds. So unitl recently, I have always been willing to wake up and feed him at night because he needs all the nourishment he can get. Now his pediatrician says he's fine to skip the night feedings and with my trip it's a good time to end breastfeeding all together.
Any advice would be great! Thank you!

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S.M.

answers from San Francisco on

You'll just have to resign yourself to being awake a couple of nights, because he's going to have to cry it out, and since he sleeps in your bed, you won't be able to ignore it. If I were you, I'd stop the night breastfeeding right now, and keep giving the daytime feeding until you go on vacation. After you get back, don't give him the breast at all. He should be at least somewhat accustomed to bottles at that time. Good luck.

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C.W.

answers from Redding on

I have a 10 month old who I have just recently started to night wean... I have done a lot of reading on this and I think it really comes down to what you are comfortable with.

My advice is BE CONSISTANT! And make sure your hubby is on board 110%. I tried it several different times with no success because after 20 min my hubby would start complaining as well (about her crying and him not sleeping), and dealing with crying baby and hubby was to much to handle so I would just give in. So finally I told daddy to get out or shut up (like go sleep on couch :- ) ) So he did one night and it was SOOOO much easier to deal with baby.

I just give her binky back, pat her back, play her glow worm, and honestly just let her cry. I am not a fan of cry it out, but in this situation she is not crying because she is scared, she is crying because she is mad that she isn't getting her TaTa's that she is used to. Eventually (after 1.25 hrs) she went back to sleep on her own. She knew I was right next to her, it just came down to a test of wills.

A lot of people will tell you not to give up one crutch for another (like boob for hand etc.) But I think you just do what feels right, do what works for you, and go with your gut. But I will advise that you do this TONIGHT! It will not be fair to baby or hubby to leave on a trip with a booby dependant baby crying at home. You won't have fun knowing baby is upset either. Some kids take longer than others, so no joke... start TONIGHT! Good luck...just keep telling yourself that "It will get better" : - )

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J.T.

answers from Sacramento on

I weaned my son at 21 months and he did not want to stop either. Someone suggested that I put bandaids on my nipples at the times he was used to nursing and explain to him that my nipples are soar and hurt when I nurse him so I need bandaids to protect them. He was very sympathetic and even when he was tired and was falling asleep or waking up and wanting the reassurance of breastfeeding, he would see and feel the bandaids and remember. We transitioned to cuddling instead so he didn't feel abandoned and he was fine with that alone within a couple days. I wore the bandaids for about a week and then didn't need them anymore. Good luck!

J.

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C.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't think you're going to be able to stop the night feedings or ween him from the breast until you get him out of your bed.

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J.K.

answers from Redding on

Are you vaccinating him? If u are stop.. They proved it does brain damage..Only two people i know vacinatted their boys and they are having the same trouble. detox your baby if u are vaccinating and STOP. They are BIOWEAPONS> Go to brainguardmd.com Good luck. Oh my gosh i just read that your gonna stop breastfeeding your baby. hes not old enough to stop. you should breastfeed til at least 2 or 3. Who is your peditrician. Jeez

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S.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I ended up completely weaning at 15 months (wanted to get pregnant and it wasn’t happening while I was BFing) and what worked for us was keeping a couple pacifiers nearby during the night. When my daughter woke for a feeding I gave her a pacifier and she went back to sleep. I was actually shocked at how easily it worked. I think there were a few nights we had some crying, but for the most part as long as she had something in her mouth she was happy. Oh, and she slept with us, too. I cut out the day feedings first, and tried just feeding her once before bed and once when she woke in the morning. I just told her ‘nana’ was all gone and she understood. The bandaid idea sounds good, too.

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N.F.

answers from Modesto on

i breast feed my daughters as well i have three the best way is to cut out the day feedings first give him a cup at this age is more out of comfort that actually being hungry... spend extra time and if there are specific times that he usally nurses during the day try to plan activites to keep more occiped than usal having freind family over or have dad stay with him if possible while you go for a walk ect.. the night feedings are always the hardest but you have to rember he is not hungry it is comfort and a habbit he is not waking up hungry any more he is waking up because it is part of his routine... honesley best thing break him of the day feedings don't even worry about the night right now it will be eaiser for you and him to break that while your gone.. just don't be tempted to give in when your home again

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