stopping b/feeding to sleep - how? Pantley?

[ionesmum]

My little dd2 (9mo) was a fab sleeper, but a couple of months of teething/colds/weaning and she now b/feeds to sleep, and needs the nipple to drop off every time - which can include four or more night wakings, plus evening wakings and naps. She is even beginning to need to sleep in our bed which is where I was with dd1 for two years, and I don't want to go there again! She sleeps in a cot beside our bed and she won't get her own room until we move house, hopefully some time next year! I want to get her to fall asleep on her own but don't know where to start. Cc is a non-starter for all sorts of reasons, but I could do pu/pd or Pantley. Any advice would be gratefully recieved!

[pixiefish]

interested inthis as well as i have a similar situation with my dd- unsure what to do about it though- i also can't do cc and not really bothered that dd sleeps with me

[TracyK]

what about a bottle of ebm - given by dh/dp? I wouldn't stress about getting them to be able to get themselves to sleep straight away, use other ways (wicked ways some people may say) - car, pram, snuggles, stroking etc. Just vary the different ways so they're not dependent on bf iykwim. Before you know it you'll be able to sneak in the occassional falling asleep on their own. Plus I'd experiment during the day - choose the avenue of least resistance for during the night - we all need night sleep.
my ds (9mo) is an alright sleeper/napper - but he fights it sometimes and I find it very handy to bf to sleep when we're running out of afternoon hours for him to nap and I can't be arsed driving the car.

[ionesmum]

Hi, thanks, Tracy. At the moment dd2 won't take a bottle or cup but we're working on it! I like the idea of using lots of different ways to get her to fall asleep. How do you find cuddling to sleep? I try with my dd but she tries to fight her way round to my boob and goes mad when she can't! She is becoming increasingly keen on co-sleeping though and whilst it's lovely I had a huge problem with my toddler, she got to the stage where I couldn't even go to the loo without her - not great as I was pregnant at the time! - so I think that'll need nipping in the bud too!

Best of luck, pixiefish!

[TracyK]

My ds has just recently started to love falling asleep for some of his naps being held really tightly (ie cuddled). Not very comfy for me - but I think that I'll just hold him tightly and calm him down and then he'll move off and go to sleep somewhere else on the bed - but before I know it - he's sound asleep!
I usually only do it if I want to go for a nap too - so Im usually fully dressed - so no boobs around.
or get dh to do it so no milk smell.

[ionesmum]

thanks for the advice, I shall keep on going and experimenting. Your ideas about sleep sound very similar to mine - just do whatever it takes and enjoy being close to our little ones.

[dramaqueen72]

sorry joining in abit late, bu i am still bf my 18mth old, whihc i dont mind, i'm very pleased i have done it. but i DO mind her needing them to get to sleep again and again during the night...of course being sucha bad sleeper she ends up in our bed and i end up feeding on and off all night. help! i tried and failed cc -gosh that was painful for me- and i can only do the calm down and put back to bed so many times before tiredness takes over and we both end up in my bed....
i am wanting to stop or cut down drastically BF but have no idea how, as shes so addicted to them for comfort! now i am pregnant is it true they will wean them selves? (that would be a blessing!) or am i destined to be bf for ever and ever and ever.....