Navigation

Welcome Guest
( Log In | Register )


> Baby news and information

Read articles about babies and stages of development in our Baby section: www.essentialbaby.com.au/baby

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic

> 8.5 month old and struggling, Trying to reduce milk feeds

V
lis.seddon
post 01/02/2013, 10:07 AM
Post #1
*   Posts: 11   Joined: 24-March 11     
New Member
I have been diagnosed with PND and I'm struggling to handle my DS's routine that he has kind of "put himself" into. I think it might be making my PND kind of worse - things are spiralling out of control a little bit. DH is a teacher and has spent the last few weeks on holidays and I think that might have changed things a bit having both of us at home for a while? Plus teething is pretty much a constant thing. DS has 5 teeth and #6 is working its way down (slowly).

CURRENT ROUTINE:
DS wakes around 7am wanting a bottle (he's on formula). After 60mLs or so he loses interest instantly and its really hard to get him to have more but eventually I'll get him to have about 150mLs all up (feeds are made up in 230mL lots).

I then use the left over formula to mix with rafferty's museli so that he's still getting the benefits.

He naps around 9.30 til 11ish (or at least stays in his cot contently, not always sleeping the whole time).

I have been trying not to give him a midday bottle and he'll have a decent amount of lunch (whether its mashed veggies, a rafferty's sachet and/or some yoghurt with fruit and maybe a premuim with vegemite - he likes feeding himself).

He REFUSES to drink water although sometimes will have some sips out of our drink bottles.

Another "nap" usually happens around 2-4 ish (not sleeping the whole time, again). After that he is screaming for a bottle. Again he struggles after 60mLs or so and eventually we might get him to have 150mLs after a battle.

His evening routine is pretty straight forward and he happily goes to bed around 6.30pm-8pm (depending on our evening movements).

Then he wakes between 11pm-1am for another bottle (which I wish he wouldnt have).

Is he trying to wean himself off milk?
Do I just reduce it even more?
How do I do this?
How do I achieve the balance of having a routine where his needs are being met AND mine are too?
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Tesseract
post 01/02/2013, 10:28 AM
Post #2
****   Posts: 1,783   Joined: 7-February 10     
Advanced Member
To me there are two issues here.

Firstly, you are concerned about the amount of milk he is taking - you feel it is not enough? Is that right? What is his weight gain like? Is there concern about how much he drinks/eats?

Secondly, you are feeling like his routine isn't suiting you? What exactly do you mean? Is it the night waking that you don't want? The battling to get him to take more milk? Can you explain a little more, it's just that apart from the battling with the milk it sounds like a fairly standard baby routine to me.

Sorry for the barage of questions, I just feel like we need a little more info to help see this situation!

Tess xx
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
meggs1
post 01/02/2013, 10:55 AM
Post #3
****   Posts: 2,255   Joined: 10-July 09     
Advanced Member
Sorry you are suffering from PND, and struggling.

It sounds like the milk thing has become a worry. It might help to remember that if you were BF you wouldnt have any idea how much your baby was drinking at any feed. I hope it doesnt upset you to talk about BF, I just mean that you don't have to acheive a target amount, as long as growth and hydration are OK.

But I think it is too early to drop milk feeds. I think at that age I was doing milk feeds at wakeup, 10/11 , 2/3 and bedtime (plus overnight). Maybe your bub would be happier with smaller, more frequent milk feeds. You might want to add afternoon tea (vege mufffin etc) in there as well if he is waking up from his nap starving.

The routine of 2 naps and one overnight feed sounds pretty age appropriate. Like Tess said, can you say what specifically you find isn't working?

ETA: Re the overnight feed, I nightweaned my son at around 9 months but he was waking 1 - 2 hourly and had an intense feed to sleep association. That worked for a month or so, then we started night feeds again due to a series of ear infections, stopped it again at 13 months. Both times were pretty hard on both of us. The first time I did comfort settling (which is a bit like CC). The second time I did rocking/patting. Lots of crying both times. He recently started overnight feeds again for a few weeks (teething) but has stopped again on his own.

I guess what I'm saying is that if its only one wake-up it might not be worth the hassle of cutting it out.

This post has been edited by meggs1: 01/02/2013, 11:11 AM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
KRT
post 02/02/2013, 10:24 AM
Post #4
***   Posts: 985   Joined: 31-May 12     
Regular Member
I think you've had some good advice so far. 8-9 months is a classic age for babies being 'too busy' to bother with milk feeds. I thought my DS was ready to wean then, but by 10 months he'd got back into the swing of things.

I too would suggest you try to ignore how much/how little of the formula he takes at each feed. It's there if he wants it, and he'll take it if he needs it. I know it can be frustrating, especially when there's such an emphasis on getting enough food in the day so that they sleep all night. The problem is that that's not necessarily true.

Is there any particular reason why you don't want him to have a midday bottle?

As for water, it's one of those things that you need to have on hand and keep offering - but they'll get to it when they're ready.

ETA: I know my advice has been 'don't worry about it', but I also know how hard that is when you're struggling with PND. Do you feel you're getting any support with that?

This post has been edited by KRT: 02/02/2013, 10:26 AM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
bikingbubs
post 02/02/2013, 10:29 AM
Post #5
****   Posts: 2,169   Joined: 21-May 10     
Advanced Member
Your routine looks pretty good - what are you wanting to change about it? Around 12 mths they will drop to 1 sleep (my ds did around 11mths, so a whole new routine!)
Agree with the others about milk - if he really wants it he will take it.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Taffyk
post 02/02/2013, 10:30 AM
Post #6
**   Posts: 254   Joined: 27-September 10     
Member
My DD is on roughly the same schedule - except sometimes we have a crazy night feed (like 4:30am). My DD is in childcare so this is her schedule at home and there.

In the morning she will refuse bottles but I never have stopped her having one if she wants.

I had PND and I think you need help - changing feeds isn't necessarily the answer.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

 

Download now: Essential Kids Activity Finder app

Got bored kids? Quickly find the best activities for kids wherever you are in Australia with the Essential Kids app.

Helping families keep up-to-date

We know you're busy. That's why we've made it easier to connect with us online.

Video: Convos with my 2-year-old

It?s a simple premise: a dad re-enacts the conversations he has with his two year old daughter ? but the daughter is played by a grown man. And the results are very, very funny.

ISOFIX child seats finally approved for Aussie families

At last, a new Standards Australia revision now allows for ISOFIX child restraints.

Warning on NSW mumps outbreak

NSW Health has warned of a current outbreak of mumps across the state, urging members of the public to check their vaccination status.

Shower tragedy shows need for postnatal help

The tragic case of two young boys who died while their mother was only metres away has highlighted the need for ongoing awareness of postnatal depression.

Family cycling: options for carrying kids on bikes

Whether your child is on a special seat on your bike, is sitting in an attached trailer, or is 'helping to pedal' on a half bike, there are lots of options to keep everyone comfortable and safe while cycling as a family.

Why the Mirena IUD wasn?t right for me

For many, the Mirena IUD is a brilliant contraceptive option. For me, however, it was a dreadful mistake ? and I've since learnt I'm not alone.

The babies who sleep in boxes

In 1938, the Finnish government began giving parents-to-be packages to help them care for their babies, supplying them with clothes, nappies, and a box that could be used as the child?s bed. Today, the tradition is still going strong.

The ultrasound you can touch

In parents? ever-increasing search for the perfect memento of their pregnancy comes an ultrasound you can touch.

Losing (then refinding) my 'me'

Somewhere along the journey, someone removed my ?me? identity and replaced it with ?mum?. Here's what I've learnt about finding my 'me' again.

The Kate Winslet double standard

Gossip sites went into meltdown over news of Kate Winslet's pregnancy to her third husband. Amy Gray looks at why people judged her so harshly while so many others go unscathed.

It's time to pay our foster carers properly

Why do the ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to help give children a better life often end up out of pocket?

Lisa Curry trying for a baby at 51

Lisa Curry may be 51 years old, but she?s not letting that get in the way of trying for a baby.

Free: 'The First Year' ebook

Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!

 
Advertisement
 
Advertisement
 
 
 

Competitions

Win a Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy

You could win the stylish 4WD Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy, valued at $799.

Win a copy of Peter Pan on DVD & Blu-Ray

To celebrate the June 5th Blu-ray and DVD release of Peter Pan, Disney are giving you the chance to win one of six copies on Blu-ray and DVD double play!

Jay Laga'aia 'Ten in the Bed' giveaway

You could win one of 10 copies of the album Ten in the Bed by Jay Laga'aia.

Win a Babyography voucher!

You could win 1 of 4 $50 vouchers to spend at babyography.net.au.

Win a Little Rascals nappy service

Lighten the load when you win a Little Rascals Nappy Service!

Win a Grandparents Survival Pack

You could win a copy of Parental Guidance on Blu-ray and DVD and tickets to Madame Tussauds Sydney.

 

It's party time!

Planning the perfect party?

Find everything you need to plan your next kids party. Essential Kids has ideas for kids party themes, free printable invites, cake ideas and tips for party games.

Featured Promotions
 
 
Advertisement
 
 
RSS Lo-Fi Version
Skin by IPB Customize
Time is now: 19/06/2013

 
Essential Baby and Essential Kids is the place to find parenting information and parenting support relating to conception, pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers, kids, maternity, family budgeting, family travel, nutrition and wellbeing, family entertainment, kids entertainment, tips for the family home, child-friendly recipes and parenting. Try our pregnancy due date calculator to determine your due date, or our ovulation calculator to predict ovulation and your fertile period. Our pregnancy week by week guide shows your baby's stages of development. Access our very active mum's discussion groups in the Essential Baby forums or the Essential Kids forums to talk to mums about conception, pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers, kids and parenting lifestyle. Essential Baby also offers a baby names database of more than 22,000 baby names, popular baby names, boys' names, girls' names and baby names advice in our baby names forum. Essential Kids features a range of free printable worksheets for kids from preschool years through to primary school years. For the latest baby clothes, maternity clothes, maternity accessories, toddler products, kids toys and kids clothing, breastfeeding and other parenting resources, check out Essential Baby and Essential Kids.