Did anyone stop breastfeeding to get more sleep?

Lovemyfireman1

I'm still getting up 2-3 times in the middle of the night to feed LO.  I can't nap during the day.  I am sooo tired and ready to throw in the breastfeeding towel.  Anyone stop breastfeeding to get more rest?  Did it work? I feel so guilty but I need to sleep.

vilaro

Scout2005:

I don't BF, so I apologize ahead of time if this is an insensitive question - can you pump, so that DH or SO can feed LO at night as well?

Also, despite the many impassioned opinions you may get, formula is certainly a legitimate and fine alternative. My daughter has been EFF, and is thriving.

Sleep is important, and you have to do what you have to do. Having a sane mom is just as ciritical to LO's well being as how they are fed.

Don't feel guilty. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

My thoughts exactly.

Lovemyfireman1

DH is gone a lot in the middle of the night so it's only me.  I formula fed DD#1 at about 4 months and she STTN.  I'm just curious that maybe I have a crappy sleeper and formula wouldn't make a difference, who knows.

*BlackSheep*

Thzt wasn't the main reason I quit. My main reason was that lo had got his first teeth at 4 months & now has 7 teeth!!! I just weaned him off over about a month I think it worked best for both of us. MY last step was weaning the night time feedings. I kinda liked them, kinda. But my lo is doing just great on formula. And sleeps just fine!

Good luck.

RMiranda09

I was totally in your shoes and so ready to give up.  However, I called my pediatrician, who is also a lactation consultant and she said that I really should try the cry it out method before giving up.  She said that my DS was nursing for comfort throughout the night to put himself back to sleep.  Apparently babies want to put themselves back to sleep the same way they fell asleep initially. She said he was old enough to sleep through the night without having to eat.  It took two nights before DS slept a 7+ hour stretch.  The first night was the worst - we had to put him into bed awake but groggy and give it 30 minutes.  If he wasn't asleep after 30 minutes, I could go in (that also means giving it 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he wakes up.)  I was never a believer in the CIO method - it just hurts my heart to hear him cry.  However, it's been one week today and he sleeps from 7:30pm - 5am (usually waking once for just a few minutes and fussing himself back to sleep).  I'm such a happier momma!  Plus, what a pain it would be to have to get up and make a bottle in the middle of the night!

august06mom

Scout2005:

RMiranda09:

I was totally in your shoes and so ready to give up.  However, I called my pediatrician, who is also a lactation consultant and she said that I really should try the cry it out method before giving up.  She said that my DS was nursing for comfort throughout the night to put himself back to sleep.  Apparently babies want to put themselves back to sleep the same way they fell asleep initially. She said he was old enough to sleep through the night without having to eat.  It took two nights before DS slept a 7+ hour stretch.  The first night was the worst - we had to put him into bed awake but groggy and give it 30 minutes.  If he wasn't asleep after 30 minutes, I could go in (that also means giving it 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he wakes up.)  I was never a believer in the CIO method - it just hurts my heart to hear him cry.  However, it's been one week today and he sleeps from 7:30pm - 5am (usually waking once for just a few minutes and fussing himself back to sleep).  I'm such a happier momma!  Plus, what a pain it would be to have to get up and make a bottle in the middle of the night!

I'm glad you found a soluiton that worked for you, and let you continue BFing if that's what you wanted to do.

It takes me 10 seconds to take the premade bottle out of the fridge and warm it up to room temp. It's beyond not a big deal.

This. I've never understood that argument against bottle feeding.

Lovemyfireman1

RMiranda09:

I was totally in your shoes and so ready to give up.  However, I called my pediatrician, who is also a lactation consultant and she said that I really should try the cry it out method before giving up.  She said that my DS was nursing for comfort throughout the night to put himself back to sleep.  Apparently babies want to put themselves back to sleep the same way they fell asleep initially. She said he was old enough to sleep through the night without having to eat.  It took two nights before DS slept a 7+ hour stretch.  The first night was the worst - we had to put him into bed awake but groggy and give it 30 minutes.  If he wasn't asleep after 30 minutes, I could go in (that also means giving it 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he wakes up.)  I was never a believer in the CIO method - it just hurts my heart to hear him cry.  However, it's been one week today and he sleeps from 7:30pm - 5am (usually waking once for just a few minutes and fussing himself back to sleep).  I'm such a happier momma!  Plus, what a pain it would be to have to get up and make a bottle in the middle of the night!

 

Luckily she puts her self to sleep at the beginning of the night.  She is just getting up a ton still.  Maybe she still needs to eat?  I do feed her a ton during the day and have even tried giving her bottles (BM) before bed to make sure she is full.  Doesn't make a huge difference. 

CarrieLiz

Are you sure she needs to be fed 2-3 times during the night?  At 4mo our pedi told me to stop nursing during the night because DS was doing it out of habit, not need.  I thought FOR SURE she was a crazy lady but that night I gave him his paci instead of nursing and he fell right back to sleep.  The next night same thing.  Third night he didn't even wake up and he's been STTN ever since.

SecondTimeinMSU

I would think that even if you switched to formula your baby would still be waking up several times a night since he/she is used to feeding during those times so therefore they get hungry at those times. I liked Ferber's section on reducing night feedings. Rather than doing CIO, he suggested a combination of stretching out the  time between feedings by 15 minutes and reducing quantity over a period of time. Techically his plan is more for formula feeders but I adapted it for breastfeeding by reducing the time at the breast each time (DS was eating a ridiculously huge meal every night and not being that hungry in the mornings). He still got plenty to take the hunger off and allow him to fall back asleep but he wasn't eating as much each time. It seemed to have made a difference and we are back to pretty much STTN except for an occational feeding maybe once a week or so.  I do want to add there is nothing wrong with formula or to feel guilty about (I was formula fed myself) but I don't believe it is always the answer to STTN.

RMiranda09

I would call your pediatrician and see what they suggest. I was changing DS' diaper one morning and realized how cold his little feet were even though they were in footed pj's, and had to adjust the thermostat.  Maybe she's waking due to the temp in the room or even teething / congestion / etc?  My understanding is she should be able to make it through the night without eating, but every baby is different.  You've done a great job nursing this long, so don't feel guilty switching to formula if you're ready! Though, the benefit of formula may be that your SO can help feed the baby, not necessarily that it will keep her from waking through the night. Good luck!!

rmm17

RMiranda09:

I was totally in your shoes and so ready to give up.  However, I called my pediatrician, who is also a lactation consultant and she said that I really should try the cry it out method before giving up.  She said that my DS was nursing for comfort throughout the night to put himself back to sleep.  Apparently babies want to put themselves back to sleep the same way they fell asleep initially. She said he was old enough to sleep through the night without having to eat.  It took two nights before DS slept a 7+ hour stretch.  The first night was the worst - we had to put him into bed awake but groggy and give it 30 minutes.  If he wasn't asleep after 30 minutes, I could go in (that also means giving it 30 minutes in the middle of the night when he wakes up.)  I was never a believer in the CIO method - it just hurts my heart to hear him cry.  However, it's been one week today and he sleeps from 7:30pm - 5am (usually waking once for just a few minutes and fussing himself back to sleep).  I'm such a happier momma!  Plus, what a pain it would be to have to get up and make a bottle in the middle of the night!

 

I would try this before throwing in the towel.  I would hate for you to stop nursing and your LO still not sleep through the night.  A friends EFF baby was still waking 2-3x/night until she did some sleep training.  My LO was waking 3-6 times a night to comfort nurse.  After sleep training we are down to 1-3.

laurakaz13

No, I just pumped a lot so DH could do some feedings.  Now we've switched to formula, which is just fine for LO.  She's thriving and happy and sleeps a ton. 

MarSamWhitney

vilaro:

Scout2005:

I don't BF, so I apologize ahead of time if this is an insensitive question - can you pump, so that DH or SO can feed LO at night as well?

Also, despite the many impassioned opinions you may get, formula is certainly a legitimate and fine alternative. My daughter has been EFF, and is thriving.

Sleep is important, and you have to do what you have to do. Having a sane mom is just as ciritical to LO's well being as how they are fed.

Don't feel guilty. I hope you find a solution that works for you.

My thoughts exactly.

 I will tritto this. You have to do what is best for baby and YOU.

Mrs.Pnut

We did the Ferber method of reducing the time of the night time feedings (shorten it every night) by the end they don't wake up! 

Totally worth it! 

RunningGal900

If you are wanting to switch bc you think formula is what will make your LO STTN, I'd be hesitant if you are enjoying BFing otherwise. Lots of ff babies don't STTN. Since you said DH isn't there to help a lot at night anyway, so you would be doing the bottle-feeding, I'm not sure you would get much more sleep. I will tell you DS and I had a very hard month 5, but now at 6 months he is STTN again and doing great. I would try to see if you can eliminate one or two of the middle of the night feedings. I really believe my DS needs to eat once at night, but when he was getting up three times it was for comfort from teething pain. If you enjoy BFing and don't want to stop, but just need more sleep, definitely give one of he other options a shot. If you are ready to wean, do so without guilt. Hope you get more rest soon.

sarbieb

First of all, you do need to do what's best for you!

But I have to agree with some of the pp that I doubt your LO will sleep the night just because you switch to formula. It sounds like your LO is waking up out of habit and wants to nurse back to sleep rather than because of hunger. I was in the same boat and we found she would go back to sleep on her own after a few 5 min intervals of CIO. Even now she's waking 1x each night and I know I could cut it out if I want to, but I secretly enjoy the few extra minutes of cuddling at 4am! Plus, I really love bf'ing and would be devastated to have to give it up now, so anything to keep my supply up!

But again, you need to do what's best for you! Maybe try formula for a night or two and see if it's any different? Giving formula at night doesn't mean you can still bf during the day! Once LO does STTN your milk supply will readjust to no longer waking for night feedings anyway so formula at night shouldn't ruin your suppl for the day.

Good luck! 

sarbieb

Giving formula at night doesn't mean you **can't** still bf during the day!

Jacqui105

I didnt stop because I didnt want to. I just sleep trained, I tried the No Cry Sleep Solution and then did Ferber. It has worked out great. Before I always got up a ton because I could not tell the difference between her needing to nurse and her just wanting that comfort. Now she wakes once to eat, its strictly business, and I get 8 hrs of sleep straight. You are probably looking at sleep training no matter what you feed, because at this age range most of those wakings are probably just habit.