Struggling to Wean off at 17 Months

I JUST weaned my 16 month old with the same issue. She was waking up 2-3 times a night to eat. I finally would consistently go into her room when she was crying to comfort her - rock and sing - but I wouldn't give her breastmilk. Sometimes I would offer her water, but other than that I would just comfort her. After about two weeks of being very consistent, she stopped waking up. She now sleeps through the night. I think she just got used to eating at night and it was her routine. We now have a different routine that works better for everyone. Hope that helps a little.

My daughter is 11 months and has just given up her 5am feeding and started sleeping until 7:30ish. I think that last "night" feeding is the hardest to give up...it really was her breakfast because she would sleep from 8:30pm until 5-5:30am and she wanted to eat. If my husband would go get her she would point him the way to our bed and my "nunnies" as we call them around here.

She eats a lot of solid foods now and sometimes I worry she will over eat at dinner...she loves table foods, but she never has (over eaten) and now sleeps longer.

Maybe try and comfort at the first night feeding, no nunnies, (daddies are great at this because they don't have any nunnies to break down and offer because they are so tired) and once he gives up the first night feeding and is sleeping through it you can work on the second one.

Just make sure he is eating enough throughout the day. If my DD (dear daughter) wasn't eating so much during the day (solids), I know she would need more nursing at night.

I don't know if any of my ramblings are helpful...but sending you a {{{hug}}}

I like what Lori said her method was.
Also, I think there is a growth spurt around 18mos,
Are you trying to completely wean? Or just at night?
When I was night weaning #1, I let her nurse as much as she wanted during the day to make sure she was tanked up on Mama Love :-) That, in combo with Lori's idea, helped us.
Unless the cereal is multi-grain, I don't see that as ultra-filling. If it's just rice or oats...those grains don't seem to satisfy my kids for very long. Course, it partially depends on when you put your ds to bed. Is the cereal not too long after solids at supper time?
Two good books:
No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley
Nighttime Parenting by Dr. Sears

Pantley's book (used) on amazon.com - less than $5
Sear's book (used) on amazon.com - $2

HTH
K., mama to
Catherine, 4y
Samuel, 15m

My son had similar issues when he was that age. I gave him a worn soft shirt of mine. I would actually lay it under him when I put him to sleep. It smelled like me and was soft, he could then self soothe and get himself back to sleep.

I went thruthis with my now 2yr old, when she was about the same age.
As nother respondant said - there is a growth spurt around 18 months, so keepthat in mind, adn don't expect full night-weaning in a week or 2.
Remember to offer the breasts often thru out the day, 18 months is also a time when they are so busy exploring and learnign and discovering at day time, that they don;t nurse or eat as much - making it up at night. Also try more snacks and a long calm soothign nursing session right before bed.

Explain to him that just liek he goes night -night - your nursies (or whatever you call them.. they were chi-chi's in our house) have to go night night too.
Make them more inaccesable at night - wear a sleepign bra AND a shirt.
when he wakes at night, offer hm cuddles, a sippy of water, sing a song etc. Re-emphasis that the boobss are sleeping and they won't wake up untill the sun gets up.
if he's truly ready then you should be able to cut back to 1 night nursing (try for as far toward morning as you can.. my youngest's DD's last night nursing session to give up was at 5am) fairly well. Adn then transition to no-night nursing as well.
It can be tough. the key is too be gentle but firm and loving. Not taking away something - but replacing it (ie, the cuddles, sippy, hugs, soft singing etc).

Good luck!
And I also highly recomend Dr. Sears's Nightime Parenting :)

~C.