They gradually started putting 4 hours
between nighttime feedings, then 5, then 6, then 8!
Your baby is able to take more during feedings, and that, in turn, will have him or her sleeping longer
between nighttime feedings.
Being a new mom with my first child I was (I think now) almost obsessed with checking how many hours it was
between the nighttime feedings and how long they took.
As most of my readers know, I'm a big believer in the correlation
between nighttime feeding and sleep.
Not exact matches
They insist that it promotes breastfeeding, by giving mothers easier access to their babies for
nighttime feedings, and making it easier for her to rest
between feedings.
I was a human ping pong ball, bouncing back and forth
between babies during
nighttime feedings.
You can break your baby's association
between the bottle and bedtime by slowly reducing and finally stopping his
nighttime feedings.
But with an incredible number of
feedings per day, 2 - 3
nighttime feedings and incredibly short breaks
between most
feedings, I was exhausted.
If your baby still yearns for
nighttime feedings, it's a good time to accentuate the difference
between day and night.
How to solve it: Your baby's nocturnal ways will correct themselves as she adjusts to life on the outside, but there are a few things you can do to help speed along the process of helping baby to separate day and night, including limiting daytime naps and making clear distinctions
between day and night (like keeping baby's room dark when she naps and avoiding turning on the TV during
nighttime feedings).
You will want to make sure that the diaper you use at
nighttime is absorbent enough to last 3 + hours
between feedings.
Mr. Ezzo writes in the chapter on «Hunger and Sleep Cycles» that, «There is a direct relationship
between regular daytime
feeding periods and
nighttime sleep patterns.»
These
nighttime feeds can be particularly sweet as it can often feel like you and your baby are the only people in the world, and the connection
between you is amazing.
If you are diligent in implementing my advice, the chances are your baby will wean himself / herself off
nighttime feeds somewhere
between 10 to 13 weeks of age!
Between feeding,
nighttime parenting,...