night time wakings

My girls are about 14 1/2 months. They still wake up at night. I give them a small bottle and it's back to lala land. I know I should stop doing this, but not sure how because they wake up and cry for so long if I don't go in there...

 

Have you tried just giving them a pat on the back when they cry instead of the bottle? Or how about a pacifire?

 

It sounds like they are waking purely out of habit. I would maybe suggest a paci or a favorite stuffed animal for comfort. I noticed you mentioned that they cry for so long. How long? Maybe full-blown CIO is the only way to go about it. It is a struggle at first, but eventually they'll get in the habit of self-soothing and night time wakings will be a thing of the past.

 

QUOTE(babymOmmax2 @ Apr 20 2009, 10:28 AM) [snapback]1280891[/snapback]
It sounds like they are waking purely out of habit. I would maybe suggest a paci or a favorite stuffed animal for comfort. I noticed you mentioned that they cry for so long. How long? Maybe full-blown CIO is the only way to go about it. It is a struggle at first, but eventually they'll get in the habit of self-soothing and night time wakings will be a thing of the past.

I agree with trying a stuffed animal, paci, or blanket(my DD likes to sleep hugging a blanket) for comfort and see what happens. I would also agree with trying CIO. Good luck!

 

Do they finish the bottles? Are they gaining weight and eating a lot during the day? What if you decreased the amount you offer in the bottle to wean them from it? GL!

 

Have you tried giving them water instead? It would be my first step i think...

 

All of the pp's have excellent ideas. I have one VERY stubborn crier who can cry for far longer than I would like to admit, but if you have the stomach for it, it can be effective. Barring anything extreme, they should have the ability to sleep through the night at that age. It's just a matter of helping them learn how to do it. Thankfully, at that age, they learn fast, so it shouldn't take long - just a couple of nights. Another thought might be to just go in and say "Sorry sweetie, it's night time. Time to go to sleep," then leave, and let them cry. That way, it is clear to them that you hear them but that you are not going to be giving them a bottle.

GL - sleep issues are so grueling!

 

Thank you everyone!

Kaylen just throws the stuffd animals out..lol
I think that I'll end up trying everyone's ideas and see what works!!!

Thanks again!