HELP me get my 6 month old to sleep! PLEASE! (update post 74)

[MistressMerryweather]

Actually, yes. It is. We both work full time. By the time I get home at 6pm and get everything done and get the kids to bed and myself ready for the next day it is already my bed time. I meant no disrespect by asking it. I had never heard of co sleeping until this thread. I didn't know if it meant the baby is in a crib in your room or in the bed b/w husband and wife. Again, no disrepect, had never heard of it and was just trying to learn more.

Sometimes it means the baby is in bed with parents or sometimes in a side-carred crib or cradle. No disrespect taken and I didn't mean to sound snarky. Is just funny sometimes.

 

[justhat]

Actually, yes. It is. We both work full time. By the time I get home at 6pm and get everything done and get the kids to bed and myself ready for the next day it is already my bed time. I meant no disrespect by asking it. I had never heard of co sleeping until this thread. I didn't know if it meant the baby is in a crib in your room or in the bed b/w husband and wife. Again, no disrepect, had never heard of it and was just trying to learn more.

To the poster that asked if I only had 1 room in my house. The answer is that while I have more than 1 room in my house there is only one room where I am "alone" with my DH behind locked doors. I guess I am paranoid of others walking in.

Thanks for answering my question.

It means the baby is in the actual bed, at least to me. Current baby sleeps in a "co-sleeper", but it's a seperate bassinet-type bed that is just next to my bed. I don't consider her cosleeping in the same sense as my oldest who was in our actual bed. I can see your point on others walking in if you have older kids. In our case, when we had a cosleeping kid, she was our only kid and she moved to her own bed at 2yo. So the threat of someone entering wasn't there. My 2nd always preferred to sleep in his own bed so it was never an issue with him, and our 3rd also sleeps in her own bed (though she's fine sleeping with me too if she needs to) so not an issue now either. With a 6yo I would see that as more of a concern, but I would never lock the door to our bedroom anyway so I suppose that risk is always there.

 

[tiffjoy]

How do you know? The things I thought I knew after just having one baby - I was such a novice! You feel sorry for babies who have to CIO, I feel sorry for babies who are waking up crying during the night. All of my babies have gotten teeth, and none have ever woken up crying because they were teething. By 6 months of age, they very, very rarely woke up during the night.

I don't consider myself a "novice" because I only have one baby. I'm a mom, just like any other mom, and I do what i think is the best for my baby, just like almost every other mom does. We all agonize over our decisions, or at least I do, trying to make sure we do the right thing. But neither you nor I have a crystal ball, so you don't really know that your way will result in the best situation, either, regardless of how many children you have. I do know that so far, my daughter's sleep habits have improved, and continue to improve every week.

Why do you feel sorry for babies who wake up at night crying when you do CIO, which is letting babies go to sleep crying? I'm confused by that statement, and I don't understand why you would feel bad for babies who cry in the middle of the night, but not for those who cry in the beginning of the night? But there is no need to feel bad for my baby- when she cries at night, I respond to her, and the crying never lasts more than a few seconds.

It's nice that you had such excellent babies who weren't bothered by teething- you were very lucky. I have to say, you are the first person I have "talked" with who can say that. Most babies have pain in varying degrees, often accompanied by fever, runny noses, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. My daughter currently has 5 teeth she's working on, and it makes her very uncomfortable, even with pain meds, and she usually runs a fever. She is, IMO, and excellent teether as she doesn't cry or fuss, just wants to nurse more often at night when one is coming through.

By the way, as I said, my daughter rarely wakes up anymore at night, except when she doesn't feel good. I would think that even proponents of CIO would think that a baby with a fever and pain should be comforted when she wakes up, which is the case with my daughter. I really don't understand your issue with what I said- that my daughter wakes up at night crying sometimes when she isn't feeling well...

 

[tiffjoy]

Originally Posted by Mouse House Mama View Post
Again this is a PARENTING problem. Not a co-sleeping problem. You can have a bedtime routine etc. w/o cio...I am willing to bet that those parents that are having a hard time are the same ones who give in when their child wants something in a store and pitches a fit. There are nice calm ways to get a child to sleep well without drama.


yes! yes! yes!
I don't know why people insist on tying them together. I'm sure just as many CIO'ers have discipline and parenting problems as well.

Completely!

It's like people (not pointing to people here, I mean people I encounter in real life) think that because I co-sleep, nurse and don't do CIO, I let my daughter do whatever. I must tell her, "no," and redirect her dozens of times a day. We have boundries and rules and expectations that are age appropriate, and we will continue to do so.

We also have a set bedtime, and when it's time for bed, toys go away, lights are out, etc. She may not fall asleep right away, but it doesn't mean I let her do whatever. We choose to parent our child to sleep, for now, while she is a tiny baby. I personally don't know of anyone who's 12 year old still needs to be rocked, nursed, or comforted to sleep. Eventually, they develop sleep habits as they are ready to do so, not in my timing. That's our choice.

 

[tiffjoy]

Originally Posted by mjkacmom

I had another friend who could not get her five year old out of the bed. She was so frustrated, because she was pregnant, and wanted her dd to sleep in her own bed before the baby came. She admitted she never wanted her in the bed, but it was easier to give in, and get sleep. She said she'd never do it again with the baby.

If you want to co-sleep, fine, but if not, make the transition earlier than later, or don't complain.



She *could* get her 5yo out of her bed, she obviously chose not to and judging by her actions or lack there of with her 5yo, she will go the same route with the baby. It has nothing to do with "not being able to get a child out of your bed" or cio.

I so agree with MistressMerryWeather..It seems like the problem was more with your friend (no offense) than with co-sleeping. It obviously won't work for someone who grudgingly gives in to co-sleep, just like CIO obviously doesn't work for people who deep inside, don't agree with it.

I personally love to co-sleep, which was a surprise to me, as I never planned to do it. My DD decided for me that we would co-sleep- it just suits her and her needs best. I love snuggling with my daughter, and it's time I treasure because I know, sooner than I realize, she won't need me in this way anymore. My DH and I are both equally on board with it, which is also important. So, it works for us.

If you try to get an older child to quickly stop co-sleeping, especially if they are aware, either consciously or unconsciously, that you are doing so because of a new baby, I would expect to have problems. Most people I know who co-slept and went through the process of moving a child to their own bedroom went through a slow, gradual process. I know there are people who struggle, but I personally don't know of any who have. And those who do might need some additional guidance and support on tried-and-true methods that have worked for other co-sleeping parents.

Co-sleeping isn't for everyone, but it's not necessary to co-sleep to not do CIO. I know a lot of people who don't co-sleep, but also don't do CIO.

 

[Disney2012]

Probably not the wisest choice, but the only thing that worked for my colicky son was bringing him into my bed. As a newborn this scared me and I had all kinds of SIDS pads. Later I got something called a snuggle nest - kind of like a padded cat bed with sides and a nightlight. That helped us both. I never had a problem with him sleeping again. He just needed that extra comfort. At about nine months as he weaned I was able to transition him gradually to the crib. Maybe give the baby a book or something to hold and quiet down with. Good luck!

 

[mjkacmom]

Why do you feel sorry for babies who wake up at night crying when you do CIO, which is letting babies go to sleep crying? I'm confused by that statement, and I don't understand why you would feel bad for babies who cry in the middle of the night, but not for those who cry in the beginning of the night? ...

My CIO babies cried (and you said you felt sorry for those who did), but after 2 days, were no longer waking AT ALL during the night, and getting great sleep. How many nights did you baby sleep all through without waking and crying since the age of 6 months? And I do soothe them when they're sick, but they rarely come in our bed. They're pretty deep sleepers, so it takes quite an illness to keep them up.

And no, I don't have a crystal ball, as you don't either, so there is no reason to assume your child will happily transition to her own bed. And I'll admit, when it comes to teens, I am a novice, but feel I could easily parent another toddler, preschool, or younger child, because I've done it many times. I learn new things with every stage.

 

[tiffjoy]

My CIO babies cried (and you said you felt sorry for those who did), but after 2 days, were no longer waking AT ALL during the night, and getting great sleep. How many nights did you baby sleep all through without waking and crying since the age of 6 months? And I do soothe them when they're sick, but they rarely come in our bed. They're pretty deep sleepers, so it takes quite an illness to keep them up.

So, letting a baby CIO means that they will sleep through an illness? I'm not sure why that's a benefit... and I don't know many people who sleep well when they don't feel good, baby or not. My parents did CIO with me, and I woke up often when I was sick, and I still do. I don't see what one thing has to do with the other.

My baby rarely cries when she wakes upunless she is sick- which I have repeatedly said. Otherwise,I can't remember her crying upon waking since she was a week or so old and having horrible pains from reflux, which I guess still falls into the sick category. I'm not sure why you think that not doing CIO means that babies wake up crying at night?

My question to you was why you feel bad for babies who cry during the night, but not babies who cry to fall asleep. I'm still confused by that distinction.

And no, I don't have a crystal ball, as you don't either, so there is no reason to assume your child will happily transition to her own bed. And I'll admit, when it comes to teens, I am a novice, but feel I could easily parent another toddler, preschool, or younger child, because I've done it many times. I learn new things with every stage.

That was my point- you don't know, and neither do I. But I feel that my way is the best way based on research and instincts (otherwise, I obviously wouldn't do it this way if I didn't think it was best- I'm not saying it in judgement, just in answer to your point about me not having a crystal ball). I don't have to be a mother more than once to be a good mom- that's a silly assumption and puts down mothers of only children the world around. You may learn with successive kids, but are you implying that you royally messed up with your first one? No, I don't think that's what you are saying... so I don't understand why having multiple kids is an argument against me, here.

 

[princessmom29]

My CIO babies cried (and you said you felt sorry for those who did), but after 2 days, were no longer waking AT ALL during the night, and getting great sleep. How many nights did you baby sleep all through without waking and crying since the age of 6 months? And I do soothe them when they're sick, but they rarely come in our bed. They're pretty deep sleepers, so it takes quite an illness to keep them up.

And no, I don't have a crystal ball, as you don't either, so there is no reason to assume your child will happily transition to her own bed. And I'll admit, when it comes to teens, I am a novice, but feel I could easily parent another toddler, preschool, or younger child, because I've done it many times. I learn new things with every stage.

I only have one, but this is what she did too. Once the 3-4 days of her learning to get to sleep were done she was very rarely upset by waking in the night where she always had been before. It was a 30 min process to get her back to sleep every time she woke before I started training her, and she would often be very distressed. We never had regression problems, and she is scared of very little. She is a very independent child. She rarely gets up at night unless she is ill and it has been that way since she was about a year old.

 

[tiffjoy]

This is just a general question and not asked in judgment, but out of interest... does/has anyone here nurse? And if so, for how long?

I'm mostly curious because I know that if I didn't breastfeed my daughter at night, we would have been done nursing a long time ago, so I'm very curious to hear if anyone has done CIO and/or STTN at 4-6 months and maintained a nursing relationship.

 

[wbn36]

So you are somewhere in the middle. I would see nursing to sleep as a huge problem, however. I really think you are likley to have a huge fight on your hands once she is weaned and/or you begin expecting her to go to bed awake. I would never let a baby cry for hours and not go in and confort them, but neither would I pick her up and rock her or co-sleep. A pat on the back and a reassuring word without getting her out of the crib was what I used. I just feel it is essential that babies learn to put themselves to sleep as early as possible. It tramutizes them so much when you try to do it as a toddler. My BFF did it with her 2 year old and would call me sobbing becuase he wouldn't go to sleep. She had him in her be up untilthem and it was SOOO hard to get him out. If they lean early to go to sleep in thier own bed the tramua and tears are a non-issue.

My SIL laid down with her kids every night until they were 11!!!!!!!!!!! They would stroke her hair until they fell asleep. She would lay there for hours!

 

[brergnat]

OP: YAY!! So glad to hear you've been able to get some sleep.

Here's my opinion:

Nursing to sleep and co-sleeping is the "easy way out".

Flame away...

I did CIO with both my kids around 6 months, and it worked after about 2 days. My younger son had a HUGE appetite, and continued with night feedings until around 10 months old, but he was able to put himself to sleep whenever he'd stir at night, and NOT need a feeding. He nursed until 8.5 months old. HE decided to stop it, not me.

For the record, my boys are 4 and 6 now. They STILL go to bed at 7:30pm every night, and sleep until 6:30am, every morning. They share a room, and if they wake up (and wake ME up), it's because they were violently ill in their bed and need help cleaning up. Even when they are sick, MOST of the time, they get up, go to the bathroom, vomit, and go back to bed without me even knowing about it. And, my room door is about 5 feet away from theirs, and wide open all night long. They know they can come to me if they need anything, but mostly, they don't "need" me at night. Ever. I have parents CONSTANTLY giving me the "you're so lucky your kids sleep so well at night..." line. I think I'm the only parent in my son's K class who has kids that go to bed before 9pm...and that's just wrong. These kids still need naps, and they are six! That means they are overtired and not sleeping enough. My older son stopped napping at 22 months old. My younger one just stopped prior to his 4th birthday.

I'm extremely happy that when 7:30 rolls around, my kids are in their room. DH and I need time to ourselves each day too. DH is currently deployed, so I'm "single mommy" for the next 5 months. I wouldn't be able to function if my kids were up at all hours of the night, or fighting me about going to bed. When parents ask me how I got them to be that way, I tell them "I made them figure out how to sleep on their own at 6m and we've stuck to the routine ever since." They are all jealous...and ADMIT that it's THEIR fault that their kids have such bad sleep habits. MANY of them did co-sleeping. MOST of them still have kids in their rooms, because the KIDS won't sleep anywhere else...

 

[Mouse House Mama]

OP: YAY!! So glad to hear you've been able to get some sleep.

Here's my opinion:

Nursing to sleep and co-sleeping is the "easy way out".

Flame away...

I did CIO with both my kids around 6 months, and it worked after about 2 days. My younger son had a HUGE appetite, and continued with night feedings until around 10 months old, but he was able to put himself to sleep whenever he'd stir at night, and NOT need a feeding. He nursed until 8.5 months old. HE decided to stop it, not me.

For the record, my boys are 4 and 6 now. They STILL go to bed at 7:30pm every night, and sleep until 6:30am, every morning. They share a room, and if they wake up (and wake ME up), it's because they were violently ill in their bed and need help cleaning up. Even when they are sick, MOST of the time, they get up, go to the bathroom, vomit, and go back to bed without me even knowing about it. And, my room door is about 5 feet away from theirs, and wide open all night long. They know they can come to me if they need anything, but mostly, they don't "need" me at night. Ever. I have parents CONSTANTLY giving me the "you're so lucky your kids sleep so well at night..." line. I think I'm the only parent in my son's K class who has kids that go to bed before 9pm...and that's just wrong. These kids still need naps, and they are six! That means they are overtired and not sleeping enough. My older son stopped napping at 22 months old. My younger one just stopped prior to his 4th birthday.

I'm extremely happy that when 7:30 rolls around, my kids are in their room. DH and I need time to ourselves each day too. DH is currently deployed, so I'm "single mommy" for the next 5 months. I wouldn't be able to function if my kids were up at all hours of the night, or fighting me about going to bed. When parents ask me how I got them to be that way, I tell them "I made them figure out how to sleep on their own at 6m and we've stuck to the routine ever since." They are all jealous...and ADMIT that it's THEIR fault that their kids have such bad sleep habits. MANY of them did co-sleeping. MOST of them still have kids in their rooms, because the KIDS won't sleep anywhere else...

Wow. What a consescending and rude post.
Oh and FTR- just because YOUR children need to go to bed at 7:30 doesn't mean that all children need to. The other parents are not jealous. They are just making conversation. I hate when parents take this holier than thou attitude. It is not helpful and to be honest I have my own opinion of people like that but I won't share it here.
Oh- and just because you co-sleep doesn't mean that you are going to have kids with sleep problems. Like you said (and I did earlier) it is parent's problem. If they wanted the kid in their own bed they would be no matter what sob story they give you.

 

[tiffjoy]

Nursing to sleep and co-sleeping is the "easy way out".

I find it interesting that the non-CIOs think CIO is the easy way, and the CIOs think nursing/parenting to sleep is the easy way.

Me, personally, parenting to sleep is the harder way for me, but the easier way for my daughter. I feel as the adult, it's up to me to bear the burden rather than her. That's my take on it.

I did CIO with both my kids around 6 months, and it worked after about 2 days. My younger son had a HUGE appetite, and continued with night feedings until around 10 months old, but he was able to put himself to sleep whenever he'd stir at night, and NOT need a feeding. He nursed until 8.5 months old. HE decided to stop it, not me.

For the record, my boys are 4 and 6 now. They STILL go to bed at 7:30pm every night, and sleep until 6:30am, every morning. They share a room, and if they wake up (and wake ME up), it's because they were violently ill in their bed and need help cleaning up. Even when they are sick, MOST of the time, they get up, go to the bathroom, vomit, and go back to bed without me even knowing about it. And, my room door is about 5 feet away from theirs, and wide open all night long. They know they can come to me if they need anything, but mostly, they don't "need" me at night. Ever. I have parents CONSTANTLY giving me the "you're so lucky your kids sleep so well at night..." line. I think I'm the only parent in my son's K class who has kids that go to bed before 9pm...and that's just wrong. These kids still need naps, and they are six! That means they are overtired and not sleeping enough. My older son stopped napping at 22 months old. My younger one just stopped prior to his 4th birthday.

That is a matter of parenting, and not of failure to do CIO. My 10-month old daughter's bedtime is 7:30, and that rarely changes. She sleeps quite well at night, as well.

I would be not want my child to be sick at night and not come to get me, and I would feel awful if I didn't wake up. My parents did CIO with me, but I still woke them up or they woke up themselves if I was sick (both of my parents would be up, too, not just one). Honestly, I was sick when I was at my parent's house last (pregnant). My mom woke up when I went to the bathroom and was sick. She got up, made me tea, got me a blanket, held my hair for me... and I was 28 years old!

Maybe that's just me, but I read this part of your post to my husband, and he had exactly the same reaction as I did, and I didn't ask him or lead him in that direction.

I'm extremely happy that when 7:30 rolls around, my kids are in their room. DH and I need time to ourselves each day too. DH is currently deployed, so I'm "single mommy" for the next 5 months. I wouldn't be able to function if my kids were up at all hours of the night, or fighting me about going to bed. When parents ask me how I got them to be that way, I tell them "I made them figure out how to sleep on their own at 6m and we've stuck to the routine ever since." They are all jealous...and ADMIT that it's THEIR fault that their kids have such bad sleep habits. MANY of them did co-sleeping. MOST of them still have kids in their rooms, because the KIDS won't sleep anywhere else...

Again, parenting issue, not co-sleeping issue. Also, my DH and I do have time for us.

I will say props to you for being a single mom and holding down things at home while your husband is fighting for our country. I really appreciate his sacrifice, and I hope he stays safe.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Here's my opinion:

Nursing to sleep and co-sleeping is the "easy way out".

Flame away...

I did CIO with both my kids around 6 months, and it worked after about 2 days. My younger son had a HUGE appetite, and continued with night feedings until around 10 months old, but he was able to put himself to sleep whenever he'd stir at night, and NOT need a feeding. He nursed until 8.5 months old. HE decided to stop it, not me.

For the record, my boys are 4 and 6 now. They STILL go to bed at 7:30pm every night, and sleep until 6:30am, every morning. They share a room, and if they wake up (and wake ME up), it's because they were violently ill in their bed and need help cleaning up. Even when they are sick, MOST of the time, they get up, go to the bathroom, vomit, and go back to bed without me even knowing about it. And, my room door is about 5 feet away from theirs, and wide open all night long. They know they can come to me if they need anything, but mostly, they don't "need" me at night. Ever. I have parents CONSTANTLY giving me the "you're so lucky your kids sleep so well at night..." line. I think I'm the only parent in my son's K class who has kids that go to bed before 9pm...and that's just wrong. These kids still need naps, and they are six! That means they are overtired and not sleeping enough. My older son stopped napping at 22 months old. My younger one just stopped prior to his 4th birthday.

I'm extremely happy that when 7:30 rolls around, my kids are in their room. DH and I need time to ourselves each day too. DH is currently deployed, so I'm "single mommy" for the next 5 months. I wouldn't be able to function if my kids were up at all hours of the night, or fighting me about going to bed. When parents ask me how I got them to be that way, I tell them "I made them figure out how to sleep on their own at 6m and we've stuck to the routine ever since." They are all jealous...and ADMIT that it's THEIR fault that their kids have such bad sleep habits. MANY of them did co-sleeping. MOST of them still have kids in their rooms, because the KIDS won't sleep anywhere else...

I'm trying to think of a better way to say, "WHAT A LOAD OF HOOEY!".
...and, FTR, 8.5 mos infants don't "stop nursing on their own"...but that's another can of worms.

So, you're saying you are proud that your 4 and 6yo get violently ill enough to go vomit by themselves, yet they don't wake you up? I wouldn't be singing that from the tree tops if I were you. It sounds unbelievably insensitive and pretty much makes you sound uncaring(but boy, you taught them well, I guess), but if that is what gets you praise from other moms, so be it.

My kids are in bed by 7 or 7:30pm and STTN. My kids are not up all hours of the night nor have they or do they fight going to bed.

AND, as has been repeated over and over and over in this thread, parenting issues have nothing to do with no cio/co-sleeping. MOST parents DO NOT have kids still in their bed because they "won't sleep anywhere else". If they have kids in their bed that they don't want there it is because they have boundary and discipline problems in regards to their parenting. Sheesh!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

My SIL laid down with her kids every night until they were 11!!!!!!!!!!! They would stroke her hair until they fell asleep. She would lay there for hours!

Parenting issue...nothing to do with no cio or co-sleeping. Nada...zilch...nothing to do with it.

 

[jodifla]

Parenting issue...nothing to do with no cio or co-sleeping. Nada...zilch...nothing to do with it.

You and Tiffjoy can tell yourselves that, but co-sleeping is normally how it starts. The child gets used to co sleeping, doesn't want to change, and then the parent is stuck tryng to get a little kid to stay in their own room, a much more difficult task than getting an infant trained to sleep through the night.

Really folks, we aren't making this up. Not saying it always happens, but everybody isn't making it up just to give you a hard time.

 

[jodifla]

Wow. What a consescending and rude post.
Oh and FTR- just because YOUR children need to go to bed at 7:30 doesn't mean that all children need to. The other parents are not jealous. They are just making conversation. I hate when parents take this holier than thou attitude. It is not helpful and to be honest I have my own opinion of people like that but I won't share it here.
Oh- and just because you co-sleep doesn't mean that you are going to have kids with sleep problems. Like you said (and I did earlier) it is parent's problem. If they wanted the kid in their own bed they would be no matter what sob story they give you.

But just like all children don't need to be in bed at 7:30, not all children make an easy transition back to their own beds.

So basically, parents are just doing a version of CIO, but with older kids. We've certainly read that many times on these boards as well.

 

[jodifla]

I find it interesting that the non-CIOs think CIO is the easy way, and the CIOs think nursing/parenting to sleep is the easy way.

Me, personally, parenting to sleep is the harder way for me, but the easier way for my daughter. I feel as the adult, it's up to me to bear the burden rather than her. That's my take on it.



That is a matter of parenting, and not of failure to do CIO. My 10-month old daughter's bedtime is 7:30, and that rarely changes. She sleeps quite well at night, as well.

I would be not want my child to be sick at night and not come to get me, and I would feel awful if I didn't wake up. My parents did CIO with me, but I still woke them up or they woke up themselves if I was sick (both of my parents would be up, too, not just one). Honestly, I was sick when I was at my parent's house last (pregnant). My mom woke up when I went to the bathroom and was sick. She got up, made me tea, got me a blanket, held my hair for me... and I was 28 years old!

Maybe that's just me, but I read this part of your post to my husband, and he had exactly the same reaction as I did, and I didn't ask him or lead him in that direction.



Again, parenting issue, not co-sleeping issue. Also, my DH and I do have time for us.

I will say props to you for being a single mom and holding down things at home while your husband is fighting for our country. I really appreciate his sacrifice, and I hope he stays safe.

You are "parenting" your child to sleep?? Actually, you are using nursing as a pacifier, which puts your child to sleep.

We who have our children sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old or 6 months old are "parenting" our children as well. The simple fact that it only takes a couple of nights of not catering to a child's every whim at night shows that children are totally capable of sleeping on their own comfortably and happily from an early age.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

You are "parenting" your child to sleep?? Actually, you are using nursing as a pacifier, which puts your child to sleep.

We who have our children sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old or 6 months old are "parenting" our children as well. The simple fact that it only takes a couple of nights of not catering to a child's every whim at night shows that children are totally capable of sleeping on their own comfortably and happily from an early age.

A child who is nursing should not be sleeping through the night at 6 weeks old. They NEED to eat. That is a fact stated over and over by doctors. Maybe formula is different and I will admit that I have no experience with that. Nursing a child to sleep is no different than getting a child a bottle in the middle of the night. Most babies fall asleep after they are done eating.