9 Month Old Waking Every 1-2 Hours to Nurse

When she wakes is she just cooing or is she full on "I'M HUNGRY" crying? I only ask because my 8month old went thru a phase where she'd wake at night and make noise and I'd get up and get her and nurse her...then I decided she needed to sleep and I ignored her to see what would happen. She would go back to sleep after a few minutes and then she stopped waking all together.

Also- my older daughter (now 5) seemed to hate food and only want to nurse. I had to crack down and refuse when it was time for veggies/fruits/solids. After a little while she too got used to what the schedule was and stopped waking me also.
Good luck!!!!

When she wakes at nighttime, try going in there and intead of feeding her, give her a pacifier, it will soothe her and she will go back to sleep. Its not that she is hungry persay, its just the fact that its routine for her.
I did this with my son and it worked great. I also started putting him to bed sooner and I cant tell you how much better he sleeps at nighttime, its a miracle. Happier baby and happier momma.
So try pushing her bedtime back by a half hour and see if she sleeps better, and if she does but not what you want still then try pushing it back a little more until you are both happy.

For the solid food, try giving her fruits they seem to like that better, and start giving her whatever you are eating during the day, she will become more interested in eating it because you are eating it. Just try little by little, and soon enough she will be eating better.

Routine is everything for kids. Put her in her high chair and get her to eat a few bites at least. Every day at the same times, do the same thing, and increase it, by giving her a few more bites each time. Try sweet potatoes, applesauce, squash is a big favorite with mine. Things like that.

Good luck!

I would continue to nurse through the day. Nurse before offering solids. Many babies don't really pick up on solids as meals til they are close to a year. Consider things like soft bits of pasta for variety. My DD didn't like rice cereal, but she did take to oatmeal. Have you tried blueberries?

As for nursing a lot at night, my DD did. I honestly don't remember her schedule. I remember a lot of nights falling asleep on the couch with her in my arms. Consider a "dream feed" after she goes to bed but before you do, and/or a bedtime snack (once she takes more solids). Remember this is temporary. She may be in a growth spurt or teething.

I personally think she is waking because she is in fact hungry. She is 9 months old, she is probably having a growth spurt. If she is not eating solids during the day, your milk is not enough to sustain her at this age. She does not need the cereals. I use a website called wholesomebabyfood.com. It has some great recommendations. You can try fresh pears, avocado, bananas, but she needs to eat some solids. Whenever you sit down to eat, try to give her some food. This should help her at night. Good luck and get rest. I have 8 month old twins and a 3 year old, I know what tired is too!

I know many people who have or are extended nursing their children. Also know many people who are in your situation where their children are nursing a great deal and eating some food. I have one friend whose child is a year old in that boat. Pediatrician says she is healthy, mom has no complaints. She does wake at night many times to nurse. You might want to give her more substantial foods to try, like sweet potatoes, or avocados. Your daughter's body knows what she needs. If she likes veggies and fruit, offer them to her often.

It sounds like she's probably not eating enough during the day. My little guy was an avid nurser and when he started eating, he was more into real food than baby food. Maybe try mixing baby oatmeal in with quick cooking oatmeal, real baked sweet potatoes (or any kind of potato), real rice over the baby stuff. You might want to try supplementing with formula too. I know it's tough, hang in there--she will eventually eat solid food :)

Unless there is some type of medical issue, there is no need for a healthy 9 month old to nurse at all during the night. She is old enough to sleep thru the night without having to wake up to eat. I know from my own personal experience with my son that babies do wake up out of habit. (My pediatrician at the time confirmed this.) So, maybe instead of feeding her every time she wakes up, try other methods of soothing her. Try gently rubbing her back, singing a familiar tune, stroking her hair while telling her everything is ok, etc.... I would avoid picking her up or rocking her back to sleep everytime or you'll create a new habit and she'll need you to hold or rock her back to sleep every time she wakes up. There are many sleep training methods, but whichever one you choose should be one that teaches your daughter how to fall asleep on her own. As far as eating solids, keep offering them to her at breakfast, lunch and dinner before you nurse her. And remember that sometimes babies nurse for the emotional effects (cuddling, your smell, etc...) and not necessarily because they're truly hungry.

Mix the rice cereal with the veggies and fruit and such-that may give her the fortification she needs during the day. Can you enrol your son in a preschool program?