Warning: if you're sick of me ranting on about sleep, saying the same sort of things over and over, don't read on!!
So, reading the info on kellymom.com - haven't followed the links of her research to verify their validity, but it is interesting to read her point of view on a few things.
Like, increasing solids and/or adding formula at night do not improve sleep, and as they are harder to digest, they could actually make it harder for baby to sleep at first, increasing night wakings (matches my experience!). She suggests minimising the night-time food until baby's digestive system matures and he is used to eating more in the day.
Also, she suggests that our view of baby sleep is wrong and that it is actually normal and GOOD for baby to wake. Reduces problems like SIDS. (I read similar info on the Dr Sears website, I believe, relating to co-sleeping and how this causes baby to not sleep as deeply and stir more frequently, but how this can be beneficial.)
She has links to the Dr Sears website that talks about some strategies for night weaning that you can use when baby is about 18 months or older! As compared to most info I've found that only talks about baby's needs and habits up to around 6 months, if they mention a timeframe.
Dr Sears says that night feedings are normal, whereas frequent night wakings are not. Compare this to the midwife's advice to 'be strong' and NOT feed at night as a solution to stop night wakings (may or may not be linked).
He also says that some babies are just not self-soothers. They are people babies. They want people, not things, such as pacifiers, lovies, and need parental influence to help them learn to relax.
She also reminded me that babies often don't sleep so well just before or after a milestone 'such as crawling or walking'. Cooper is trying SO hard to crawl. Maybe this, in combination with me increasing solids dramatically, helps explain the sudden increase?
The conflicting advice tends to come from which child raising philosophy you base your beliefs on or most closely resemble.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was finding clonflicting ideals, Jai's advice was just to pick a book and stick with it. So now I'm going to stick with Pinky McKay, Kellymom and now Dr Sears, because their approach is what feels right to me with my particular Velcro baby.
Personally, I find the advice I keep getting given that babies over 6 months do not need to feed at night the most diffucult. I've lived with my child every night for the last 17 months. I am of the (possibly mistaken) quite firm belief that my child (I only speak for this one child) that she feeds at night because she needs to, one way or another. Particually up until now. When they've come and spent a week of nights with me, then they can tell me wether she needs to feed at night ir not. (Don't get me wrong, I'd still LOVE a good night's sleep)
I should point out however, the 4-5 times a night waking is a temporary thing. Currently Rachael feeds once or twice in what we class overnight (10pm-4:30am when the alarm goes off)
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