Question on cutting out night feedings/morning waking

nicolita14w · August 2011

We have been slowly decreasing the amount of formula in Ben's nighttime bottles over the last couple weeks in an effort to get him to STTN. Tonight is the first night that we are going to try cutting them out altogether.

However, he usually wakes up for one feeding during the night (somewhere between 12 and 2), and then wakes again at about 4:30. We have tried letting him fuss at 4:30 but it just goes on and on. If we give him a bottle at that point, he will sleep for another hour or so. If we don't, he's basically up for the day and is exhausted.

I know some kids are just early risers (DS#1 is), but 4:30 is just too early. We can not regularly get up at that hour. He needs more sleep, too.

WWYD? Just try to get rid of the night bottle and preserve the very early morning one for the moment to get ourselves a little sleep? Or cut it out too and let him fuss, or resign ourselves to an early wakeup time?

I have so many sleep books, but none of them are super helpful on what to do about a super early wakeup. And I feel like he might actually really be hungry by that time.

dana316 · August 2011

Remind me, how old is he??

krissyh21 · August 2011

What time does he go to bed now and does he do it with ease or is it a struggle?

ladychicago · August 2011

With no other info, I say cut the overnight feeding and keep the early morning one for a bit longer. As his sleep gets more consistent through the night, he may very well move that one on his own soon enough anyways. But I am all about getting extra sleep/snoozing for myself if the only price is a quick bottle. Do what works best and makes the most sense for you and your schedule.

TheSkimmy · August 2011

We have a very similar schedule going right now too. Lexie still wakes up for 1-2 bottles a night. But with them she will sleep 13 hours so I haven't really wanted it to change. With Charlie I remember 2 bad nights and then it was ok.