Eating & Sleeping Habits Way off for 7 and Half Mo. Old

Aw, I feel your pain!
Just remember that this is just a stage and it too will pass.
I think the number one most important thing is to not get outwardly frustrated with her, "she's just a baby".
Mine is still nursing at 17 mos. (though I originally "anticipated" stopping 6 mos... then later, at a year) and I've found it, yes, trying at times, but in the long run sooo worth it.
I mean, come on now, the baby doesn't know what it means to be six months old (haha, or "more independant" at a year, lol~) I just have responded to what works for us, and that's all you can do.
After she starts taking in more solids, you'll start to get some boob-production relief. My thoughts on the solids are to begin making mealtime a routine 3x a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and trying to keep the times consistent. Don't just give her jarred foods but really some good stuff like avocado and fresh (but ripe)mushed up banana. Browse the site wholesomebabyfoods.com for some ideas.
Take cues from her and, more importantly, don't fret too much that she is getting enough. I think it's very instinctual to do so-- I have been there-- so many moms fret-- but really, she is not going to starve and when going through a bout of teething just may not have the best appetite. Excessive salivation can also reduce appetite.
Begin setting up some eating routines for her and that way her body will come to expect food at those times.
I remember going through a lot of Hyland's teething tablets and Tylenol at this age- it's very trying to be sleep deprived and have a little clingy fussy one!
I also agree (not sure at what age is ok) but Motrin is more effective (I learned later) for teething.
Also, take good care of yourself. Make sure you are eating well and drinking enough water (of course ;D)
Give kudos to yourself for being a nursing mom and enduring this long. I'm telling you, if you stick it out through these hard times, I think it will benefit her a lot.
You mention the pain-- are you actually getting injured by her teeth?
That has happened to me, and it's very important to treat that, maybe with some prescription nipple cream (call your gyno).
Try hanging with some other nursing moms so you can get their support. That is so important.
Do you have something that can keep her occupied? The "rainforest jumperoo" did us wonders- others, an exersaucer, that sorta thing.

It's normal for your baby to be clingy at this age - in fact, if she wasn't, it would be odd - she should be attached to you and want to be with you. That's developmentally appropriate. Also appropriate to continue breastfeeding. 7 month olds are not meant to be independent from their moms - they're still babies!!

If she's teething, it probably hurts to eat, so she's not nursing as much. So she's probably waking both because of the teething pain and the hunger at this point. I agree with the other poster, try a little Tylenol. Also ask your pediatrician if you can try Motrin, which I have found to be much more effective than Tylenol for teething pain.

Do keep trying the bottle if you really want to wean. She'll learn to take it even if she's unhappy about it now.

She's not going to get more independent for a while, no matter what you do. Believe me, I've been there wanting the clingy one to just go play independently for a while, but at this age, it's probably not going to happen. Some kids are just like that. So while it might be irritating at times to have that child stuck to you, you can take comfort in knowing that you are doing nothing wrong, that she will be more independent some day, and you're just rolling with the punches now.

Good luck.

Okay, I'm guessing you mean 7 1/2 month old not year old ;). This age babies begin to remember who you are. So when you go in there try to see if you can just get her to lay back down. Don't talk to her, don't turn the lights on. Just quietly go in there and give her a little comfort and she might go right back to sleep. If she's playing with the nipple, then she's probably not really hungry. It could be teething and if it is I recommend Hyland's Teething tablets. As far as whether she's getting enough to eat how is she growing? How are her diapers? These are the best ways to know if she's eating enough.

M.

Stages and changes are normal at this age, and so is clingyness. If she is teething, it hurts to eat, and throbs when she tries to sleep, and tired and hungry, but in pain, she needs her mommy. Have a break so you can keep your patience, and get some rest, but it may not be the best time to force wean unless you have to. Think about when you have a toothache, when you lay down to sleep, and everything else ceases, you notice the pain more. It will pass, but it is hard on everyone, but mostly her, which is why she needs you so much right now.
In addition to the meds, try a frozen wet facecloth for her to gnaw on when she is playing instead of nursing. They have gel rings which you chill that help too. It helps to numb the area. Mine hated oralgel, but some love it.
Hang in there, & good luck,
D. S.

It takes about two weeks for many babies to get used to a bottle. If you would like to wean, just go for it. Keep trying to give the baby different kinds of bottles, different kinds of formula, different nipples (fast, slow, etc). We ended up with the playtex bottles with liners and fast flow nipples. Believe me, he wasn't having it at first and would only drink about an ounce or two. But after a week he got used to it. Plus he didn't like the formula warmed up at all and liked it with cool water. Just keep trying. I weaned at 10 and a half months and would just skip feedings during the day and introducing the bottle instead. Then he only BF at night and in the morning and then I skipped the morning one, then the night one and it was all over. It just takes some time, go slow and try different things. You'll be fine. :) Good luck and if you have any questions just send me a note. I forgot to say that the waking every two or three hours is pretty common for teething babies. Have you tried a little tylenol? I never thought my baby would sleep through the night but soon after he stopped breast feeding he was sleeping 12 hours straight.

Hey C.. Just some random responses.
My 5 month old has begun to get a lot of separation anxiety lately too. From what I read, it's normal especially from 4 months to 8 months. We left him with my mother last night to go to a Christmas party and he cried for 3 hours on and off. That's hard to hear but Mommy needs a break too.
As far as bottles, we tried Born Free, Nuk (which aren't BPA free, at least not the ones we bought), and Dr. Brown's (BPA free) and finally he took the Dr. Browns because of the nipple size.
Finally, I'm amazed at what some people can pump! I've heard the trick is to pump right after you feed baby (both breasts) and they will gradually start to produce more. I was doing that and it seemed to work until I got lazy and stopped for awhile. haha:) no one's perfect.