Patient's question:
The baby is now almost eight months old and needs to get up 3-4 times a night to urinate. Moreover, the baby insists on drinking milk to fall asleep. Can the baby sleep well like this?Doctor's answer:
Minimize the number and amount of nighttime feedings, extending the intervals. Pay attention to eating a full meal before sleep, as it helps prevent the baby from waking up at night. Initially, don’t respond to every demand. First, try soothing the baby to see if it passes, then refuse the feeding. If it’s still not working, give in. For example, if the baby wakes up around 11 PM for a feeding at first, then around 4 AM, gradually delay the feeding to 5 AM, and eventually push it to 6 AM in the morning. I think the key is to ensure the baby is well-fed before sleep. Eating a hearty meal makes it less likely for the baby to feel hungry.I remember attending a parenting class where the doctor mentioned weaning from night feeds: at 6 months, wean for 3 days of crying; after 1 year, wean for 3 weeks of crying; and by 3 years, the child may even start waking up at night on their own to feed. Modern medicine has discovered that during sleep, babies secrete certain growth hormones that promote their growth. If a baby doesn’t sleep well, their height is often shorter than that of their peers. Which mother doesn’t want their baby to grow up healthy and tall? That’s why it’s essential to focus on the baby’s sleep.
In reality, babies’ nighttime feeding demands are not usually due to hunger but more due to habit. Therefore, adults must help wean the baby early. Additionally, nighttime feeding can not only disrupt sleep but also easily lead to severe tooth decay.