Hi all,

I don't know if it's unusual for dad's to write on this board..nonetheless I am writing :-)

We have a real devil at our home (18th mths old in 3 days time)...you know the real explorer kinds.. He loves lots of people around him and would want to play all day long if we don't catch him and try feeding him..He is not on a disciplined diet i.e., no four meals a day business(I don't know whether that's good or bad). So whenever he seems to be in a mood to eat, we offer him apples, ice cream, roti, daal, rice, ceralac, or corn flakes. He is a breast fed baby (never been on bottle).

Now the problem--Whenever there are not many ppl around to play with, he gets bored and keeps tugging his mama's dress for milk. He drinks milk and then he doesn't eat solids..At nights he wakes up and starts searching for milk..He has the ability to wake up the entire neighborhood if he is not breast fed at night.
We want to now reduce his breast feeding practice (esp during his sleep). Pls suggest some ideas. I'd request you to reply ASAP as I saw yesterday that his incisors are also out!!! Which means more trouble for my wife during feeding him!! A very excited and happy dad. P.S. Really enjoyed writing this note :-)
kavitaprasad replied. Hi Anil ji
From your mail I could guess out that you live in India. I don't have an 18 mo old but an hyper 12 mo old GIRL, who is also breastfed since begining.
Most, rather all breast fed babies are night owl. But if they are \";HIGH DEMAND\"; child, the situation is worst. Mine is same case.
In your case since he is too busy playing day time he does not take his full diet in day & want to catch up in night & now it is his habbit. Babies fall in routine very quickly. I will suggest you to try to involve him in some toy or games which can keep him occupied physically & mentally.Like tricycle or children gym etc. When he is not very tired try to feed him some thing high energy nutritious which he likes . Keep tyring on particular time at 4 times a day. He will keep refusing but keep trying . One day he will take one spoon next two & so on... It wil be frustating in begining & tyring for your wife but eventually it will work. Remember babies fall in routine very quickly. Help your wife in releasing from her other household works so she can relax also. This is a summer time. In evening first feed him around 7 pm then take him out in park or some place where he can run aroung so that when he is very tired bring him back & give him warm bath & put him sleep. I hope this will work in reducing night time waking. If he wants, feed him some solid followed by breast milk before sleep.
If you read or talk to Doc. you will know that around 18 mo, seperation anxity is at its high in children thats why they are more clinging to there mother or want her milk. it gives them feeling of security. Don't scold him or push him. Give him love sit with him, play with him, try to make him comfortable. That he feels secured & loved. Now on ward it will go away . After couple of years he will get so independent that you will long for these days.
Keep posted
Good luck
Kavitaprasad