My 20 month old still has milk in the night...

[Beth235]

Hi all,

My 20 month old little girl still wakes for milk in the night, sometimes she'll have 2 bottles.

When I speak to other people about it they seem appalled as if it is just our bad parenting. We have tried to just leave her to cry and go back to sleep but she doesn't stop. We've tried giving her water, which she loves in the day but won't take in the night.

Is this just something she will stop doing when she is ready or are we doing it all wrong?! Does anyone have any tis of encouraging her to drop the feeds?

If we just keep giving her milk in the night is it such a bad thing? It's so good for her so are there any bad side effects other than it being an inconvenience to get up to give her the milk?!

Thanks for reading

[lmblckmr]

Hi Beth,

I think we get so caught up around what other people are doing that we start to question our own parenting... You know your little girl better than any other parent. If you feel that it helps and supports her then carry on... I have 9 month twin boys and co-sleep as they are still unsettled at night, everything and everyone says "oh, aren't they sleeping through yet?" This annoys me but also makes me question myself!!!

Don't worry and do what feels right for you and your little girl.. x

[Muminspire1]

Hi there, am a mother of four girls and they have all been different, 20 ,9 , 5 and 22 months. Your baby needing milk is not bad parenting. She probably doesn't eat enough in the day time or just needs it for comfort and warmth. My 2 middle girls breastfed until 2 years and 23 months and used to wake up for night feeds mostly for comfort and reassurance. The 2nd child stopped waking up as soon as the breast restaurant was. Closed! Joking. The 3rd is 5 and still asks for milk in the middle of the night. She eats well and has developed a bad habit. Last night I had enough and just gave her water and is not interested as she isn't thirsty. Dad thought I was being tough but at 5, leniency isn't going to work. The last one breast fed until 19 months and stopped as soon as the night restaurant closed down. On a serious note you are a good Mum doing what your baby wants. I would continue until you are both ready. I gave my 5 year old water and she has become such a clever girl that she will say please Mum just a tiny tiny bit for the last time and am not worried. It's just a nuisance getting up but she doesn't do it daily. Every now and then. Don't compare your patenting to anyone else. We are all individuals and with unique circumstances. All doing an amazing job, slightly different and with one aim to love, nourish and grow our bundles of Joy. My hubby Said sometimes he wakes up for a hot drink and the only difference is that he is doing it himself. Keep up the good work. Lots of hugs from this end.

[Beth235 in reply to Muminspire1]

Thank you, that's such a kind and reassuring reply 😊 I hadn't thought until I read what your husband said, that I sometimes have milk in the night too!

Thank you so much x

[Muminspire1]

Thanks Beth you are doing an amazing wonderful job and your daughter will thank you one day.....

[Beth235]

Thank you both 😊 I'm 33 weeks pregnant so quite pleased I'm still getting up with my little girl, not so much of a shock to the system!

Thanks x x