FINALLY - Following my own instinct

Meggie1129 · October 2008

As I mentioned below in the poll, I have been questioning whether I should try and get my baby to STTN and night wean him, or still do his one feeding. Like, agonizing over this decision. He is almost 8 months, and I know it is normal for some babies to STTN and others to still need a feeding for a while. He actualyl already sleeps from like 7-3/4.

Anyhow, last night was the first night of no breastmilk, substituting water instead. He took to the bottle no problem, drank like 2 ounces. The whole time, I just felt that it wasn't right, but he took it. Then he woke up crying like 2 minutes later. So, I tried more water. Same thing. The whole time, still didn't feel right.

After the second time, and hearing him cry out in his crib again, I laid in my bed and thought "you know what, you always feel like a bad mom because you are second guessing yourself constantly. You hear what your instinct is telling you loud and clear (although I may not want it to keep telling me to get up at 3am)". So, I got up, nursed my baby, and seriously as I did so a huge weight was taken off of my shoulders. So, I get up once a night to feed him still. He is hungry and needs his mom. Maybe we will re-evaluate at 9 months, but for now a 9-10 hour stretch is pretty good (he goes to sleep at 7). I am not going to listen to other moms or books that tell me I should have dropped it by now, I am going to listen to my baby and myself.

Tess12 · October 2008

Good for you. A parenting book should be a guide, not a Bible. Nobody knows your child like you do and nobody else lives in your house and understands what goes on there.

RubyEggi · October 2008

I'm glad you have decided to feed your DC....did someone on here suggest giving water instead of bm or formula??

KonrsBride · October 2008

My DD is 7 months and still eats at night. I'm glad you are listening to your motherly instincts instead of advice given about babies in general.

franciscaz · October 2008

Only you know your baby Smile

Bearbride05 · October 2008

Good for you!

We dropped nightfeeding at 7 months when DS did it himself. He just started STTN and never woke up to eat. I just couldn't bring myself to force that on him b/c whenever he woke up crying to nurse he would EAT! A 9-10 hour strech is great! It'll get better with time!

zoe_cat · October 2008

Good for you! I feel similarly...our pedi recommended that we let DD CIO, and that she shouldn't need to nurse at nighttime beyond 6 months. While I appreciate her input, letting her CIO didn't sit well with me, and we have not taken her advice. I think following your instinct is best, you know what is right for you and your baby better than anyone else!

brittneycc1982 · October 2008

Good for you! I still feed my baby once at night. I tried just dropping it, or giving water and she was eating her hands and crying. I know she is still hungry. I have no problem waking to feed her.

Taylor44 · October 2008

It is an interesting post. I can't imagine feeding my son during the night. We dropped that probably around 4 months old. But, as mentioned in the posts, every baby is different, and every mother knows what is best by following her instincts. As you said, a 9-10 hour stretch of sleeping is great, so I agree that you shouldn't feel that the feeding is out of line. My only question is do you feed your son right before bedtime? And could you push bedtime back to 8:00 instead? (Sorry that is two questions.) But I think you brought up a good point to listen to your instincts and take care of your child as you think is best. Good for you!

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