How to get baby to sleep without the boob!

[Fizzywhizzpop]

Hi all, this is my first post on here, so please be gentle! 😛
So basically, I've always tried to put baby down to sleep, sleepy but awake. But I've pretty much failed each time. He screams and although I've tried to soothe him, it doesn't soothe him, he continues screaming. It's too traumatic for us both so I pick him up, sssshhhhh him and bounce him, until he stops crying, and try again at laying him down. Again crying commences (not screaming immediately) so I pick up, repeat until he's so tired that he gives up, or he pretty much falls asleep during the bounce.
Anyhow, to get to this point he seems to need a boob feed. I didn't realise he needed this so much as Although I'm breastfeeding, I've always given 1 bottle before bed. Recently though, he pulls away from bottle and reaches/turns for boob and screams til he gets it. Oh crap, how did this happen?
So I'm wondering, how do I wean him off needing the boob to get to sleep? I only realised it to be a problem when I left him with my parents for a few hours whilst I went for a meal. I put him to bed, I left, but he woke early and my arenas couldn't soothe him. He SCREAMED. Consoled when I returned. I can only imsgine he needed boob to sleep.
Bsby is 5 months, a boy.

Thank you, xx

[zombiemum123]

Have you read the baby whisperer by Tracey Hogg? If not I would highly recommend it! I had the same issue but with bottle and with a day or two we Sussed it ! I always have a quick look in there to help with any problems! Xx

[Fizzywhizzpop]

Thank you for that tip, I will get the book and give it a whirl...I've still not sussed it yet. If anything I've gone backwards! Thanks again x

[Fizzywhizzpop]

Ive just been on Amazon and there are loads of her books....could you tell me which one I need please? Is the breastfeeding one? Zombiemum123, thank you x

[oliversax]

I'm having the same issue with DD2, I swore I wouldn't fall into the same problem after sleep hell with DD1. I am using the millpond 'teach your child to sleep' book. I've used it a couple of times for DD1 and found it great.

Stage 1 is rocking to sleep for three nights rather than feeding. Once they have fallen asleep you hold them for 10 mins and then put them down. I wasn't successful last night and ended up feeding but have managed rocking for naps today. It took a lot longer and she put up a bit of a fight but I know it will be worth it in the end. Good luck.

[zombiemum123]

Hello! I have the baby whisperer solves all you problems (think I've attached an image) I like it because it has everything thing in there and not just specific to one issue so I'm always referring back x

[Fizzywhizzpop]

Thank you both for your tips 😀. I'm gonna try both. Feeling positive 😀😀