4 month sleep regression and night nursing

CaitlinYoder · February 2014

My son is 20 weeks and also has developed an ear infection. However the past few nights he has started waking up every hour after 12. I don't know how much to attribute to sleep regression and how much is his ear bothering him.

I have read that this is the time to wean night nursing, but I don't think he is ready to go a full night yet. My question is for those times I know he is not hungry, how do I get him to sleep without nursing so I don't make him dependent on that. Also he is in a side car crib in our room and we aren't comfortable letting him cry. Will he ever be able to get to sleep on his own or are we creating a problem?

ncbelle · February 2014

Whoever says 4 months is the time to wean from night nursing knows nothing about breastfeeding!!

I think you will find this a helpful read: https://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/. And do google "4 month wakeful" too - it's very normal

opheliainwaders · February 2014

I wouldn't try to night-wean a 4 month old - not sure where you read that, but it's pretty outdated advice (particularly since night nursing sessions help keep your supply up, and if he's in a growth spurt or whatever, he may need the snack).

If you're looking for gentle ways to help him fall asleep without nursing, check out the No Cry Sleep Solution. We use some of the techniques, and it does help DD sleep through more than one sleep cycle at a time (unless she's sick/teething/etc.). You could also try having your DH comfort him for some of the wakeups (but be prepared for a protest, at least at first).

That said, if nursing to sleep is working for you, no reason to stop.

jesuisfatiguee · February 2014

Another vote advising against night weaning. 4 months is way too early to worry about creating a problem with nursing to sleep. DS still nurses to sleep and throughout the night at 11 months.

Myaflowers · February 2014

je+suis=fatiguee said:

Another vote advising against night weaning. 4 months is way too early to worry about creating a problem with nursing to sleep. DS still nurses to sleep and throughout the night at 11 months.

This. My DD is 1 and still nurses at night. 4 months was a rough spot, and so were the 2 times she's had ear infections. Teething also tends to increase night nursing. It gets better, though! They need it as much for comfort as for food, in my opinion. Hang in there!

CaitlinYoder · February 2014

Thanks everyone! I just needed reaffirmed.

i do not want to mess up my supply and I can tell that he is genuinely hungry. Just gotta trust my instincts and stop reading google articles

Emerald27 · February 2014

4 months is very very young to wean from anything, especially night nursing!

Babies get a lot if their total daily caloric intake at night, especially when they are becoming more aware of their surroundings and are distractable during the day. Also, breastmilk contains melatonin at night, which helps baby's sleep to regulate. If he wakes and wants to nurse, feed him! It's normal, natural, and beyond merely "beneficial" into the realm of essential!

EBF babies really should go no longer at night than 5 hours without nursing. Some nurse more often because of breast storage capacity, teething, sickness, growth, or development.

Lastly, and I know my comment is being really redundant, it is crucial at DS' young age that he nurse some during the night in order for you to maintain your milk supply! Night weaning so early could really damage your supply.

Emerald27 · February 2014

CaitlinYoder · February 2014

Thanks emerald27! I showed my husband this and he is really on board now.

Emerald27 · February 2014

@CaitlinYoder You're welcome! I'm a lover of internet memes and graphics, so bear with me while I post a few more.

Some babies just NEED to nurse more frequently than others (though I bet your little one is nursing more often to try to kick his ear infection in the butt. Your milk's immunological properties will see to that!)

This cool graphic explains storage capacity and its relation to frequency of (it's really not size that matters. you can know what your capacity is based on the natural frequency and length of nursing sessions. babies are the best determinate of breast capacity):

Nursing to Sleep:

Nursing baby during the night:

And my personal favorite:

TiffanyBerry · February 2014

My daughter night nursed until she was 3. She would have gone longer, but I was done. Did she *need* it for calories? No. Did she "need" is for comfort? Yes. Could she have managed without it? Yes. Did she do better with it? Yes.

Pet peeve here - we always talk about wanting what's best for our babies, and then turn around and say "but they can manage just fine without nursing". A bit of a contradiction there, me thinks.

Unknown · February 2014

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blu-eyedwife · February 2014

Everyone else really covered it, but I wanted to add one other thing that wasn't mentioned.

When I mentioned at my son's 12 month appointment that my son was still eating at night, and teething, and with a cold, my doctor encouraged me to keep feeding at night because there are some analgesic effects of breastfeeding. So if your son has an ear infection, each feed acts like a little bit of tylenol for him and actually probably helps him feel better. You're doing more than just giving him food right now!

LC122 · February 2014

Emerald27 said:
@CaitlinYoder You're welcome! I'm a lover of internet memes and graphics, so bear with me while I post a few more.

Some babies just NEED to nurse more frequently than others (though I bet your little one is nursing more often to try to kick his ear infection in the butt. Your milk's immunological properties will see to that!)

This cool graphic explains storage capacity and its relation to frequency of (it's really not size that matters. you can know what your capacity is based on the natural frequency and length of nursing sessions. babies are the best determinate of breast capacity):

Nursing to Sleep:

Nursing baby during the night:

And my personal favorite:

@Emerald27, I can't see any of your graphics. Is it because I'm mobile or did they not show up for others too?

Emerald27 · February 2014

Aww

I'll try again. They're great! Maybe I need to post them one at a time?

ETA: @LC122 and @Regal Mama Let me know if this fixes it!

Emerald27 · February 2014

Here's the graphic about breast storage capacity and how to tell what your capacity is like with each baby (PM me with questions or for more info):

Emerald27 · February 2014

Here's the one about nursing to sleep:

Emerald27 · February 2014

And here are the night nursing graphics:

URMySunshine77 · February 2014

@Emerald27: Thanks for these graphics. They are just what I needed for morale.

CaitlinYoder · February 2014

Those are awesome!! I feel really encouraged and was even able to encourage a friend

Emerald27 · February 2014

I have lots of these.

Every time I see a good one I save it in an album on my phone. I'm crazy like that, but I enjoy posting them on FB and watching the discussion they produce.

jesuisfatiguee · February 2014

@Emerald27 *sniff* Love the graphics.

Mama2be12345 · February 2014

My LO is also going through the 4 month sleep regression, it stressed me out at first but I can tell she's genuinely hungry. After a few weeks her nighttime feedings have gone back down to 2-3 on her own. I'd say keep doing what you're doing. I love those pics, there is so much negative pressure to "fix" our babies and make them STTN, it's crazy and frustrating. So important to encourage each other to do the natural, common sense thing.

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