Water at night

Barefoot84

We started giving water to Tumaini at night, instead of milk, about two weeks ago, following doctor's recommendations. She was still waking up to drink between two and FIVE times a night, and the doctor said that sleep training wouldn't be necessary, that she would start STTN once she figured out she would only get water. For the first four nights, we diluted her milk (75%milk, 25% water, and then 50:50, 25:75, and 25:75) and she didn't seem to mind. Since then, we had one night where she STTN (it was magical), one night where she woke from 3 to 6, and would only rest when I was rocking her, but most nights, she's only up once or twice, which is nice progress for us. I'm not sure where we'll be in a month from now, but nights are getting consistently better and there's been no crying except the one night where she was up half the night, and she would stop crying when I would rock her.

So if there are other babies out there still waking up for milk during the night, maybe switching to water would help? 

Barefoot84

andreab7412 said:

Gage threw the water at us. Violently. Thanks for the suggestion! H even tried feeding him. Now he is going to want me to cook for him at night.

We had tried giving her water at night once a a few months ago, and she got really upset.  I'm not sure if it went better this time around because we started by diluting it, or if we just got lucky. 

StokedWifey

We only give B water at night if he wakes up now.  I started a few months ago because he was just looking for comfort and not because he was hungry.  It's helped us a lot.  Maybe it will y'all too!

Barefoot84

Smonet said:

I'm trying to wean the midnight bf session. I have tried water a couple of times and it worked. I have to remember that, ugh after last night...wish I would have tried it then. Im just withholding the boob and I get please, more, please cry cry. Its horrible, I want to give it but then know I'm just starting over and will never sleep through the night. Ever! jk

Did you try having your SO go? I've heard that when you're trying to wean bf session at night, it's always better to send the other partner, since the baby will know that breastfeeding isn't an option. Even if it doesn't work, at least you'll be in bed, and your SO will be dealing with the fussy baby