Weaning - Chicago,IL

Sorry, but the cereal doesn't make the baby sleep longer.

I would work on getting her to sleep through the night rather than trying to wean, if the waking up is the issue. Put her down later, let her cry it out, or other methods that you like, etc. At 8 months she should be big enough to sleep through the night (I think they say about 12 pounds). Waking up sounds more like a habit and comfort than a need.

If you do want to wean, you will still be waking up, and will either have to fix a bottle or pump. If you want her to take the bottle, have someone else give it a try when you aren't there. Many babies won't take a bottle from mom, if the breast is right there. They don't understand. Good luck.

Hi R..
No, you can't wean her if she won't take a bottle. I'm sure you are exhausted, but hang in there. Did you try the weisbluth method? What about the Sleep Lady Shuffle method? Good luck.

My first would not take a bottle and wanted to nurse day and night too. I know all about exhaustion. No, solids did not make any difference her either. Try a straw sippy cup like a Nuby. My daughter was able to drink from one from about 6-7 months and my son (who thankfully would take the occasional bottle) also mastered it pretty early on. I let them practice with a little water. Later, they got cow milk around a year cause I didn't want to pump after a year.

Sometimes I'd keep putting my daughter back in her bed anytime before 2 am and if she woke up after, I'd bring her back to my bed and nurse her. As she got older, I'd change the time I was willing to bring her to bed and I'd suck it up and return her to her bed cause I slept better without her. It wasn't easy cause I don't do CIO and her bedroom is on a different floor. I'm not opposed to children in my bed, but I definitely sleep better without a kid attached to me. =) At least now when she wakes (4yo), she just walks herself down and can climb into my bed without waking me. Don't wake me up and you can sleep where ever you want as far as I'm concerned. LOL

I think that you know the answer to your own question...no you cannot wean her if she will not take a bottle or cup. You are very tired and rightfully so! Look into other options to help you and baby sleep more. You can cosleep so you do not have to get in and out of bed and you can doze during feedings. You can also night wean. You can have your husband get up with the baby every other waking so you atleast get a bit more sleep. If your husband does get up with the baby have him take the baby to a part of the house where you cannot hear them...even if it is the basement!!
You will get through this time!
Blessings, K.

Like another poster suggested you can cosleep so you can get some rest. I pretty much sleep through it now when my 7 week old nurses.
Another option is to pump a bottle or two and leave it in the fridge for dad. He can get up with the baby that way and let you get some sleep. It would free you up a little bit. Getting baby to take a bottle may take some work, but he might take it if it's not from you. Even with my 7 week old I get strange looks if I try to give him a bottle, but he'll take it from his dad or even his 7 year old sister.
Hope that helps! Sleep well!

I she hungry? Are you giving her any cereal at night? You need to give her cereal before she goes to bed, then she should sleep, if she is on baby food, make sure she is full before bedtime.
The bottle is a toy? Well, put something in it she likes to drink and give that a shot......does she get juice?
Good Luck and I hope you get some sleep soon. Can you take a nap when she does? Take care.

Sorry you're not getting much sleep. I know exactly how you feel. But even if she's weaned it's not a guarantee that she is going to sleep through the night. My son has been weaned for almost three months and he has only slept through the night maybe a 1/3 of the time? They find other reasons to wake up.

Can you nap during the day when she does?

I would just practice getting her to drink out of the cup, sippy, or bottle. When my son was 6 months old I introduced a sippy cup to him. At first the water would always dribble down his chin, he would throw it around, etc. But eventually, he started drinking from it regularly. Also, babies are so finicky maybe she doesn't like that particular cup. I found the Nuby soft spout cups to be the best.

Until she drinks from a cup you can't wean her. If she doesn't have breastmilk, she'll need formula.

Good luck and I hope you get some sleep soon!

The baby will still wake up at night even if you try to wean so that is not the answer. You need to wean the baby of the nighttime feedings. At eight months the baby should be able to go all night without BF. When she wakes up instead of BF her try to soothe her another way. Like rocking, giving a pacifier, sing, try patting her on the back and tell her it's bedtime. But only drop one feeding at a time, NOT all at once. This will take some time it won't happen overnight. She's used to waking up so she needs to figure out how to go back to sleep on her own without eating.
As for the sippy cup, put it in front of her at every sit down meal with water in it. She will pick it up and play with it and will eventually figure out that something comes out when she sucks on it. Don't force it on her.
Like the other posts have said, cereal will not make them sleep longer. I know you are tired mama but you are doing a good job. Try not to get frustrated your baby is only 8 months old. She still needs you to help her out a lot!