14 Month Old Wakes Every 1-2 Hours and Won't Go Back to Sleep Without Nursing

It is easier (although it may not seem so!!!) to set limits at 14 months, than at 14 -- although that seems a long time away, it comes very fast. So, it is best to let him know that you are his parent and that he will not be running the house. Consider taking a week, of what will probably be h---, to get your new standards into place. Then, stick by them.

I cannot tell you how many times my daughter has heard other children (10-14) saying, "yeah, my mother said she was going to that - but she always lets up - no big deal if I get in trouble for that..."

One of the best gifts you could give your child is the ability to independently fall asleep. Good sleep habits are essential to a healthy life. If you could find the book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child - I would strongly suggest you read it.

Both of my children nursed exclusively. My oldest one would later drink water from a bottle (at about 10 months) - my younger one went straight from nursing to a sippy cup, briefly - then to a regular cup (I guess she wanted to be like her big sister).

You may want to check with your pediatrician to be sure he is getting the nutrition he needs so that he is not hungry. He/She may have some suggestions to help you. Once you know that your son is fine and healthy, you may want to consider that dreadful week. Think of it as an investment in the future.

Your family is fortunate that you have decided to take control of this situation. Everyone, even your little son, will benefit from a positvie change.

Good luck,
S.

One of my sons used to wake up any where from 6-8 times a night about this same age. He also didn't eat very much and we continued to give him formula due to this fact. At one of his check ups the doctor asked if he was on whole milk yet and we said no, he isn't eating much so we are still giving him formula. He said to stop and start giving him whole milk and eat table food. The doctor said that he would start to fill his hunger with table food but we were just continuing him on the waking up all night cycle by giving him formula. It took a few days but it did work. I think you might try to do the same thing. Push the meals during the day. Perhaps you could barter...eat good and mommie will let you nurse??? Just a thought. I know this has to be frustrating. Hang in there. My son is now 19 and is serving our country in the Navy...you will get through this stage, I promise!!

As long as nothing is "wrong" with him, which I don't think there is, pick a soothing method and STICK TO IT. You will be up all night long for a few nights. Either pat him, rub him, whatever. JUST STICK TO YOUR GUNS!!!! Get someone strong to help you. You are going to need your sleep or go crazy! It will be VERY DIFFICULT. Your family is going to have to deal with it while you work this out and don't give in to him (as long as you are wanting to stop). You are all going to lose sleep. Offer him his 3 meals, 2 snacks and BF at specifc times everyday and get ready. I think after about a week, it should be lots better. I feel for you. Breaking toddler habits are hard, mine is strong willed too. I've been there. I feel for ya!!! Good luck! It will get better.

I think you need to take things one step at a time. Since you are a stay at home mom, you need to get REALLY serious about feeding him food in the daytime. Since he is not familiar, at all, with food, this is going to be difficult. But, you need to start with breakfast. If he refuses to eat breakfast, then you need to NOT give him your breast and wait until he is hungrier to try. Start with something really easy, but tasty - like applesauce. After he eats the applesauce, then you can give him your breast. Do not give in to the breast even if he cries for hours. Honestly, if you give in, you are just reinforcing that behavior does get him breastmilk.

My daughter is 13 months old and had an ear infection in December. When she got the ear infection, she started waking up once a night and so I gave her a bottle then. It is now February and she was still doing it and it was driving me crazy ( and this was waking up just once a night). So, I put my foot down Sunday night and refused to feed her in the night. She screamed for 2.5 hours (I did offer her water). Well, for the last two nights, she has slept through the night. I think once she realized that I wasn't going to give in, she realized that she could sleep through the night again. Before bed, I give her finger foods of whatever we are eating for dinner, but she still is not into a lot of finger foods. So her actual dinner is a jar of babyfood and a jar of fruit and pieces of cheese and crackers. She eats dinner between 5:30 and 6. Then, to ensure that she sleeps through the night, I wake her up at 9PM and give her a bottle. I'm going to China soon for two weeks and I am not going to try to take the bottle away until after that trip (I figure she is allowed to have all the comfort she wants while I am away for that long).

-L.

He is using you as a pacifyer, not because he is hungry, I don't see how you have any milk that often. At 14 months he is old enough to say gonie gonie to, when somethng is empty or lost (if a toy) so you will just have to tell him that and not let him nurse. He will get hungry enough to eat, but if you go ahead and let him nurse he won'tever get hungry enough to eat food or take a bottle. You are the mom, you are the (boss) and you can't let a 14 month old rule the roost so to speak or you will be come resentful,and you won't be doing him a favor, Sorry, but this is the truth, and it may take 24 hours or so for him to see you mean business, that the milk really is gone, and I'm sure he will take some nourshiment. If you do it on a day that your husband doesn't have to go to work the next day, then it won't be so much stress on a work day. You could rock him and give him a bottle or sippy cup, but at 14 months old he shouldn't need fed every two hours whether nursing or eating. Maybe try a nice bath, soothing music, and try the rocking with a bottle of rice cereal, just before what should be his bedtime by now, and see if that helps.

okay, the behavior you are describing is NOT typical for a child that age - you haven't mentioned having him checked out by a physician, but that would be my first suggestion. could he have some type of sensory disorders, some type of GI issues, etc.? once a medical cause is ruled out - you have two choices. choice one is to continue making excuses(his sister's in his room, his daddy needs sleep, i don't wanna let him cry) for not changing the behavior and continue to let him rule the house. choice two is for your husband to suck it up for two or three nights(whether it's by physically helping you, sleeping in a hotel, or taking a few days off work) and put a STOP to the madness. i can assure you, it will NOT be a fun few days, but i'd take charge and YOU set the schedule for nursing - let him scream at night(i know you don't want to do this - but i truly can't see another way). i know it's hard, but barring a medical issue, i'd put a stop to it now rather than when he's 2 or 3 or 4. i wish you the best of luck!

As a mother of ten children, I have to tell you that this is a discipline problem. I don't believe there is anything wrong with your little guy that needs a doctor to check out. You are going to have to 'teach' or 'train' or 'discipline' him. That means teaching him to eat real food. Breast milk digests so quickly, it's not filling him up, and he's getting BIG! You could start by restricting the milk during the day, if you don't want to be up with a screaming child all night. Yes, he's going to be really hungry, but this is America, and he's not going to starve with food in the house. Nurse him when he gets up, at naptime and at bedtime, and refuse to nurse the rest of the day. Your milk will eventually diminish. Do not allow him to claw at you and act like he's acting. Tell him NO. Make him behave. He is not too little to be told no.

I had a foster daughter - who is now my adopted daughter, who came to live with us at two and a half. She refused to eat anything but about four foods, if I put anything else in front of her, she would projectile vomit. It was HORRIBLE! All she really wanted was juice. Her toenails grew in funny and all kinds of things that showed she was not healthy. It took two weeks of not giving in to that before she would eat what was offered to her. I wasn't mean about it, if she began to gag, I just excused her from the table. She didn't eat for three days, and then she scarfed down macaroni and cheese, something that normally made her throw up. It's been nearly three years now, and while eating is still not her favorite thing to do, she no longer vomits at the sight of food.

Be strong, and teach your little boy not only to eat table foods, but to be good at night.

While I am unable to nurse, I totally feel for your situation!! My children all share rooms (4 kids in 2 rooms..with one one the way:) and I am not a cry it out kind of girl! So, yes, I agree that you need to dig and dig with a good pedi to make sure that there is no medical issue here. It cant be just parenting as your 2 year old did not do it, well I assume. Also, will he take a pacifier at all? Honestly, my youngest did not as a little baby, but one day she got a hold of her older brothers, and has not looked back, that was at about 10 or 11 months I think. Honestly, I think something is up, medically speaking, and while I have so suggestions as to what it might be, it is worth doing some major research. And, when it gets to the point you need it..I would actually suggest some chewable dramamine over benadryl. I have used it for all of my children at some point..usually on long drives, but sometimes for those sleepless nights as well. Mine get crazy on benadryl too, so I understand the struggle. I wish I had more ideas, let me know if you need dosing ideas for the dramamine, there have never been any adverse reactions in any of my children, nor my neices or nephews who have also used it. Good luck..it sounds like you need a good nap!! ~A.~

Definately start by getting him checked out at the pedi! Also, since his main source of food is still breastmilk, one reason he may be screaming is because he's constantly hungry. At this age they need more than just the breastmilk, especially since the milk is no longer as nutrient rich as it is when they are infants. I wish I had some suggestions for you to try and get him to eat more food, but I can't think of anything. You also may want to call a lactation consultant and see if they have any suggestions. Good luck and congratulations for sticking it out so long with the breastfeeding.