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Hi Doc, My Daughter S 6 Months Old But Still

Posted on Wed, 26 Dec 2018

Question: hi doc, my daughter s 6 months old but still she doesn't sleep properly in the nights. First thing is I need to feed her to sleep, and after she sleeps she cries in sleep almost every 2 hrs and doesn't stop unless i put my nipple in her mouth. She sips for few seconds and doze off again. If i do not do that her cry gets louder and louder and finally she wakes up. I need to join back my work, this interrupted sleep pattern is my concern. I do not want to wean her off so soon but is there any way that will help her sleep sound for the whole night?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on breast feeding

Detailed Answer:
Hello... I understand your concern.

Some kids are used to this behaviour and this is specifically called breast addiction in medical literature.

The most common stimulus for the child to ask for feed is hunger and the other thing is the attachment to the mother.

We can deal with the first stimulus by giving good amount of solid field before putting her to bed and this is the only way we can deal with this please.

I do not think we should be taking her of breastmilk as of now and I agree with you that continuing breastfeeding is good at this stage.

If you want I would be glad to suggest you and guide you on complementary feeding please.

Best regards - Dr Sumanth Amperayani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (31 minutes later)

thanks doctor. As per my daughter's Paed we have started giving her solids twice a day.. apple pure at 11-12pm and then ragi at 5pm. As of now we have not started giving anything at night. She hardly sleeps in the daytime as well. like 1-2 hours XXXXXXX at a strech and then 15-20 mins multiple times.. this behaviour of hers i have noticed during daytime as well that s if only i am with her...my mother in law holds her tight and she sleeps back then she doesn't cry for milk. I have tried that too but that never works with me. Another things s i think she likes having continuous flow.. whenever i feed her she dozes off within minutes and then gets up after few minutes and either plays for sometime and then come for feed or directly strarts crying and i feed her again. Please suggest what should we start with at night so that sleeps well. please let me know if you need any more info.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on breast feeding

Detailed Answer:
Hello....
you can give her rice and dal with ghee in the night, as a good solid fluid before putting her to sleep and probably this will show you a better solution.
Whatever feeds you are following is perfectly fine.
She's more attached to you.
It's as simple as that and she needs to grow out of it by herself please.
Best regards - Dr Sumanth Amperayani

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj