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If they’re finishing bottles they’re hungry. Feed them.
Habit or need?
How can I tell if my 6 almost 7 month old is eating out of habit or need during the night?
Edit: he wakes up about 2-3 times a night. First stretch is fine(about 4-5 hrs) but then next couple are about 2-2.5 hr gaps sometimes 3 hrs. He always falls asleep independently during naps and at bedtime. Wondering if he mostly eats because he smells my milk, I don’t have anyone who can help me during the night as my husband leave for work around 5:30 (yes I know he can wake up but I’d rather he rest up and be able to work well instead of drag during the day)
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I'm curious about this too... I've read that if you want to start weaning night feeds, you should offer water instead if Milk. That way, it fills their tummy a little if they're hungry, but doesn't satisfy the habit/comfort of drinking milk so they don't bother to wake up for it after a few nights. I'm going to try this method once our sleep training is done, we're currently working on naps and falling asleep in a bassinet.
Lu
I think it depends on their age and diet; it's not wise for young babies on a straight milk diet, but okay for babies 6+ months who are on some solids (from what I've read). Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Di
Hmmm I’ve heard this too but also heard it’s not always best to give them straight water? I might try this tonight!
I knew my baby was ready to drop her last night nursing session because she was barely drinking anything- she’d nurse for 1-2 minutes and then just sort of hang out on my boob. I tried cutting it off cold turkey and after one night of fussing she’s slept through since then, so I guess she was ready! You could try reducing how much/how long baby is drinking each time— then he might either stop waking on his own or be okay with you dropping the feed.
Di
I’ve thought about this, I remember trying once or twice and he’s cry once I took him off, maybe now he’s be fine! Another thing I could try :)
How often? Is it more often than every 3 hrs? How long does he feed? Is it just enough to put him back to sleep or a full feed? Does he fall asleep independently at naps and bedtime and connect sleep cycles without a feed? Mine still wakes twice at night but feeds for longer than during the day. I know he can fall asleep independently and connect sleep cycles so I figure he’s hungry. There was a time he was waking every 3 hrs and I think that may been out of habit. But now sleeping 4-6 hr stretches. I’d like to obviously wean those night feeds but he’s a hungry boy and not eating solids yet.
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