Night Weaning
Night weaning for Kate started a week ago. And I can gladly say that the night feed has been 90% lifted from her.
Ever since she was born, Eve has been breastfeeding her since 11 July 2011, and now she is 18 months, we have decided to wean her off the night feed. And now, I'm playing the role as a dad who brings her to sleep.
Since Eve was pregnant, Kate's demand for night feed increased these three months, causing Eve to be hungry and physically tired.
Hence we decided to night wean her.
The first night
------------------
The first night we placed her at Eve's mum home and viola she slept through the night but woke up 3 times which my MIL had to feed her milk. We thought it's actually not a good idea to place her there because Kate was not used to sleeping overnight there.
Following nights
----------------------
The second night we put Josh to sleep first and Eve pretended to go to work at night saying goodbye to Kate. Then secretly sneak back to a hiding room.
After which I brought Kate down and sang lullaby to her until she's nodding her head and fell asleep. After which I put her down to sleep on the bed. In the middle of the night she woke up 2-3 times calling for mummy which I had to assure her I'm here then she'll fall back to sleep.
The third and forth night, Kate slept at 1205am in my arms again too.
And now everyday at 1030pm, Eve will pretend to 'go to work' and hide in another room. In the end, left Daddy Mervyn sole managing the two children to sleep. It's quite taxing on me but somehow when both the children are asleep, there is a sense of achievement.
Now I have to accompany Kate to sleep beside her for support. It's like experimenting and experimenting, until we can master the tricks to handling them.
Side note
------------
Those who didn't breastfeed, will not have this issue at all. Reason being that the formula fed babies are full from the milk they drank before they sleep. The milk actually coat a layer of 'oil' at the stomach, which will make them last through the night.
For Eve, in the past, she fed Kate on demand, which means she may nurse Kate around 3-4 times co-sleeping with her. This should be the correct way because their small stomach digests the milk much better. It's quite tough on Eve but she is an amazing woman who can night feed Kate for 17 months!
Night weaning, as we read, some couples gave the baby a 'cold shoulder'. This means that the baby will cry for a while for a few days, until he realises that there is no more breastfeeding at night. We chose the soft approach which is to tell Kate that Eve is working at night, so I am the one who will make her sleep. And of course no breastfeeding.
It's not an easy task. However, God provides a helping hand all the time. A few times I prayed for Kate and she slept soon after I prayed! This is so amazing. Find that being a parent made both Eve and I creative in bringing our children up!
Ever since she was born, Eve has been breastfeeding her since 11 July 2011, and now she is 18 months, we have decided to wean her off the night feed. And now, I'm playing the role as a dad who brings her to sleep.
Since Eve was pregnant, Kate's demand for night feed increased these three months, causing Eve to be hungry and physically tired.
Hence we decided to night wean her.
The first night
------------------
The first night we placed her at Eve's mum home and viola she slept through the night but woke up 3 times which my MIL had to feed her milk. We thought it's actually not a good idea to place her there because Kate was not used to sleeping overnight there.
Following nights
----------------------
The second night we put Josh to sleep first and Eve pretended to go to work at night saying goodbye to Kate. Then secretly sneak back to a hiding room.
After which I brought Kate down and sang lullaby to her until she's nodding her head and fell asleep. After which I put her down to sleep on the bed. In the middle of the night she woke up 2-3 times calling for mummy which I had to assure her I'm here then she'll fall back to sleep.
The third and forth night, Kate slept at 1205am in my arms again too.
And now everyday at 1030pm, Eve will pretend to 'go to work' and hide in another room. In the end, left Daddy Mervyn sole managing the two children to sleep. It's quite taxing on me but somehow when both the children are asleep, there is a sense of achievement.
Now I have to accompany Kate to sleep beside her for support. It's like experimenting and experimenting, until we can master the tricks to handling them.
Side note
------------
Those who didn't breastfeed, will not have this issue at all. Reason being that the formula fed babies are full from the milk they drank before they sleep. The milk actually coat a layer of 'oil' at the stomach, which will make them last through the night.
For Eve, in the past, she fed Kate on demand, which means she may nurse Kate around 3-4 times co-sleeping with her. This should be the correct way because their small stomach digests the milk much better. It's quite tough on Eve but she is an amazing woman who can night feed Kate for 17 months!
Night weaning, as we read, some couples gave the baby a 'cold shoulder'. This means that the baby will cry for a while for a few days, until he realises that there is no more breastfeeding at night. We chose the soft approach which is to tell Kate that Eve is working at night, so I am the one who will make her sleep. And of course no breastfeeding.
It's not an easy task. However, God provides a helping hand all the time. A few times I prayed for Kate and she slept soon after I prayed! This is so amazing. Find that being a parent made both Eve and I creative in bringing our children up!
