How can I stop bf dd to sleep

[Winnie81]

My dd is 6 months and we have a really good routine at bedtime. She is usually asleep by 8.30pm, however I feed her to sleep. We do the last feed in her room and I can quite easily transfer her to the cot but she is fast asleep.

Any tips on how to gradually change this so she will go down in her cot awake? Should I wake her when I put her down knowing that she is really nosey and will probably find it hard to settle?

[Abigail9580]

Hi, my DS is nearly 8m and we always fed him to sleep, but over the last couple of months he usually isn't asleep at the end of the feed, ie when he has come off boob, I just pop him on his cot awake and coz he is so use to then sleeping, he always ( touch wood) goes to sleep after about 5 mins by himself.

[BerthaKitt]

It will come naturally with time. Do you need to stop her feeding to sleep now for any particular reason?

[Winnie81]

No I'm quite happy to continue cos it's our routine and she sleeps well. I just worry a little that she is relying on boob and won't self settle (or forgets how to) she generally doesn't wake overnight so I don't wanna upset her either! I suppose it would be nice if dh could get her to sleep so he could feel more involved.

[MoelFammau]

I used to feel it would never happen! DD has silent reflux and BF at night really seemed a comfort blanket for her. I tried to wean her off several times but never forced it because she got so upset!

DD turns 2 next month and yesterday she just didn't ask for BF in the morning (after being a total milk monster) so I didn't offer it. She went the whole day not asking and at bedtime I was expecting her to want BF. she asked so I said my boobs are ''broke" and she completely accepted it. Today she only asked once, quietly. I hugged her and said again my boobs were "broke" and she went to sleep without a peep.

Frankly I'm finding it hard to adjust! Was getting a bit wound up about wanting to stop BF, especially the feeding to sleep. I thought I'd never be able to break the habit without days of sobbing. But I'm so so glad I waited for DD to take the lead. It's been a total breeze.

I'd say don't worry, your child WILL eventually sleep without BF. And if feeding to sleep works well, I'd do it until your child decides they can manage without. DD is such a well balanced, giggly chilled wee thing and I do think the BF on demand gave her a huge amount of security.

[Iggly]

I feed dd at bedtime but she doesn't fall asleep so rock and put her in the cot. Usually she self settles unless something is up.

Try feeding your dd earlier for bedtime so she's more likely to be awake then you can give her a chance to self settle.

[Bumpsadaisie]

As she grows up you won't be able to feed to sleep any more. Just give it time

[Goldmandra]

The fact that she doesn't wake you during the night may well be that she is waking and self settling perfectly well.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it, especially where children's sleep is concerned

[SillyBlueHat]

Do you have a DP that can do the bedtime routine? The only thing that worked for us was a change of routine and DP putting her to bed. She was older though, 15 months