Night weaning...

Eve looking at the plants in our courtyard garden

Night weaning.... not the most enjoyable thing. We've had such a hectic summer. We've travelled lots with many strange sleeping situations for dear little Eve. I know that we have kind of brought this situation upon ourselves, but it couldn't really be helped. She was in such pain with her teeth for most of the summer, and quite often wouldn't eat much 'solid food'; comforting milk was all she wanted. She wasn't sleeping well due to being in unfamiliar places, so she was waking up a lot and the only way she would go back to sleep was with milk. As a parent if you're only getting an hour or so sleep at a time you'll do pretty much anything to get the baby to go back to sleep - especially if you're not in your own home.

I now have six weeks until I go back to work and am starting to slightly panic, knowing that we don't have long to try to get her sleeping through the night. Eve started sleeping for 12 hours a night when she was 9 weeks old which lasted for 3 months.

The past few months have been quite tough as I had gotten used to having ample sleep each night, which then suddenly reverted to the sleep pattern of a new born as she was waking up twice a night.

I took Eve to be weighed at Knowle Clinic last week, she weighed 18lb 2oz (one day before her nine month birthday). Her weight is fine. She eats well each day and is getting more adventurous with food. We spend a good half hour or 45 minutes on lunch and dinner so that she can play with food and gain more confidence.












I made Eve a tiny omelette for lunch the other day, she munched it down which was most satisfying for me.

We had a really good time at Knowle clinic and chatted to a lovely Portuguese midwife/health visitor called Carla. She was so kind and supportive.  She phoned me as soon as I got home to tell me that she would come on a house call within the next week or two to help me with our night weaning plan. I really appreciated her caring and helpful nature.  I'm hoping that she can help work some wonders! 

Last week we tried two nights where I tried not to give Eve milk at all when she woke up - both resulting in her screaming for over an hour each time, before giving in to let her drink a small amount of milk.  I've never seen Eve so completely upset, she's always such a happy, content baby. By with-holding milk she writhes around going crazy. I was almost in tears I felt so bad for her. I know night weaning is for her own good including our own well-being but it's incredibly upsetting and tiring. We comfort her, try to soothe her and give her water, but all she wants is the white gold...  I've even tried to give her a dummy but it's too late in the game and she doesn't want anything to do with it.

It's so difficult - everything you read says not to leave a baby crying - but then at the same time it says you shouldn't give in and give them milk as they will see it as a reward.  

I have lots of chats with Eve in this lovely rocking chair

After those two stressful events we decided that if she woke up we would try comforting her, soothing her, offering water and then a small amount of milk.  We decided that we can't let her cry for ages as some methods suggest. The plan is to reduce the amount of milk each night. She's doing really well, after some big chats with mum and dad she is now having one feed of less than 60ml (occasionally waking up later in the night).

I've read on a forum to try giving her Ready Brek after her evening meal in the hope that it fills her up more.  The first time I gave it to her she pretty much ate the whole bowl - which made me realise that she's just not eating enough at dinner time. It seems to be working - she drinks less milk before bed and wakes up at 10pm for a cuddle and a bit of milk and sleeps through the rest of the night waking up between 5 and 6.30am.

I'm sure this process will keep improving, let's hope in time for nursery and working.  Here's to all the parents out there night weaning - hang in there, we can all congratulate ourselves with a large martini soon.... soon!

Sleeping aside, we've been having a wonderful time at our new home. It's child friendly with wooden floors, making it easy to mop up after meals. Eve has enjoyed playing with Daddy in the courtyard. She is always interested in plants - I hope that she'll be a keen gardener one day.

My lovely sister-in-law has lent us their Fisher-Price Jumparoo. It's great to hear Eve shrieking with delight, jumping about in the Jumparoo whilst I'm making dinner in the kitchen.

Fisher-Price Jumparoo

This morning we popped over to our old flat to drop off our keys. It's been completely gutted, right down to the floor boards, with the kitchen and bathroom completely ripped out. It was strange to see it like that. It sure is an end of an era - but, a new one has just begun and we're all so happy and hopeful for the future...

Saying 'Goodbye' to Tyndalls Mansions after 11 years