Deleted User 298457
Deleted User 298457
Luckily we can refer to science rather than your opinion.
OcUK Dadsnet thread
- Thread starter Devrij
- Start date
I don't believe there's a consensus on the science of baby sleep. If there is, this thread certainly goes a long way to proving there's no 'correct' sleep routine.
If a 6-12 month old is happy to sleep through without waking at all then clearly they are OK but if they are consistently waking up 2-3 times a night then I'd at least try and see if they settle by feeding.
When our daughter was 9 months old, she'd still need a feed at least once a night. I could have done all the controlled crying I wanted (and we tried on occasion) but she would just keep crying until she got some boob. A 5-10 minute feed then she'd be fast asleep.
Deleted User 298457
Deleted User 298457
Who said the science of baby sleep? You were talking nonsense about bordering on cruelty because a baby's stomach isn't full.
I think having a rule that categorically says no feeding throughout the night is bordering on cruel. I'm sure there are lots of babies who do sleep through every night under 12 months but there are many who don't as they still need a feed.
If one of the reasons a baby keeps waking is because they are hungry, I don't think it's unreasonable to see if they want feeding.
Soldato
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- 27 Mar 2013
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I'd agree, they burn through energy at such a rate when they are that young they almost need constant feeding. I can't imagine leaving a child that long, flip it the other way, would you not give the child a feed all day?
Also agree with this one, our 9 month settles back down after her feeds.
In addition some babies have reflux etc. Makes them a bit hungrier generally.
Our 6 month old quite happily sleeps for 12 hours without waking or requiring a feed. I'd imagine if he can do it night in and night out since about 3 months old, nearly all babies are probably capable of it without causing them any harm or stress. It's more likely baby learning that a cry at night equals comfort and food, so they'll continue doing it. But then if you're happy to feed a crying baby in the night to settle them, then I also really don't see the problem. Whatever keeps the balance and harmony for each family.
Deleted User 298457
Deleted User 298457
Exactly this....
My point has been taken totally out of context to prove an irrelevant point.
Deleted User 298457
Deleted User 298457
Who said categorically? You are making hard line statements to prove some irrelevant point.
Soldato
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- 14 Mar 2011
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5 month old here, she's pretty good sleep wise I think. It's tempting to try and claim that it was something which we did (we tried to be well-read on the subject and implement all of the recommended things from the start (within reason obviously)) but really I feel that it's much more likely that we just got lucky...
It's only just recently that we have a minor issue that seems to be developing which is just that in the daytime the last few days her naps have gotten really short (like 10 minutes max and then she just refuses to go back down even after 20 minutes of trying all sorts), hoping it's just something which she gets passed on her own in a few days/weeks as she's reasonably okay with self soothing and sleeps fine at night
It's only just recently that we have a minor issue that seems to be developing which is just that in the daytime the last few days her naps have gotten really short (like 10 minutes max and then she just refuses to go back down even after 20 minutes of trying all sorts), hoping it's just something which she gets passed on her own in a few days/weeks as she's reasonably okay with self soothing and sleeps fine at night
I agree that we all do things differently for sure, but I would say my feeling is that by probably 5 months, it isn't cruel to not feed in the night. They are well capable of sleeping through by that point providing they are well fed when they go down. It might appear like they are hungry when they wake, but in my experience it's comfort driven. Nothing wrong with it at all if that's how you want to run things, just I don't think it's cruel to strategically eliminate this so you can sleep properly as a parent.
Caporegime
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- Rutland
It varies from baby to baby. Physiologically most breast fed babies will feed overnight well past 6 months as they don't get the same volumes of milk as formula fed babies, plus breastfeeding Mums need that regular feeding to maintain their milk supply and not get uncomfortable with excessive milk.
There will always be exceptions and trying to fit one rule to all is bonkers.
Deleted User 298457
Deleted User 298457
So many experts in this thread with so many caveats that makes the point irrelevant 
"It will always blow up, except sometimes it doesn't. I am hard line on it blowing up. Except it also doesn't sometimes."
Even when we agree to disagree someone feels the need to twist the knife, lol.
Edit: PS. had another 7 till 7 last night. Down to 23 quid a night! Bargain.
"It will always blow up, except sometimes it doesn't. I am hard line on it blowing up. Except it also doesn't sometimes."
Even when we agree to disagree someone feels the need to twist the knife, lol.
Edit: PS. had another 7 till 7 last night. Down to 23 quid a night! Bargain.
Soldato
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- 14 Mar 2011
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- 5,442
This tallies with our experience as we didn't get on with breastfeeding at all so switched to formula exclusively very early on... baby has slept mostly through the night since maybe 2 months or so (again, realise we are very lucky!)
(controversial grenade incoming...)
To be honest I don't really get all the fuss that is made about breastfeeding - I'm sure it must have some benefits but can't help but feel like most of the older people giving advice that you must breastfeed and subtly shaming you if you don't are just bitter that a far superior alternative that they didn't have access to now exists, so they'd rather force you to struggle with it like they did
Actually kinda agree. We switched to bottles very early on too, my partner just couldn't get on with breast feeding, particularly as she had a c section and was in huge amounts of pain, still quite a few issues 6 months on.
While I felt a bit sad for my son missing out on some of those bonus nutrients, fats, immune system boosts etc, bottle feeding meant I could really step up and take control, especially on days where she just wasn't feeling good and was struggling. I now think I'm much more bonded with him and know him more intimately because I've been the one to feed him probably the majority of his feeds. And he seems very happy, healthy and sleeps great at night. Bottle feeding certainly has significant pros to it!
So many experts in this thread with so many caveats that makes the point irrelevant
"It will always blow up, except sometimes it doesn't. I am hard line on it blowing up. Except it also doesn't sometimes."
Even when we agree to disagree someone feels the need to twist the knife, lol.
Edit: PS. had another 7 till 7 last night. Down to 23 quid a night! Bargain.
You ain't helping matters with your provocative statements.
Complains about twisting the knife, then twists it himself hehe.
It's down to your own opinion
If your baby wakes up and a feed helps them, do you ignore because "it's not cruel" or do you feed.
It's just down to each individual and how they want to parent.
Personally we don't really mind feeding them through the night.