My DD1 is 18m/o. Her father began regular contact at 12 months after seeing her once every month or 2, showing very little interest before that. He now see's her once-twice a week for 4-5 hours. He wants overnights and is threatening court although we are otherwise amicable.
The problem is DD is still co-sleeping and BFing during the night. She wakes up 2-3 times, and doesn't cry as long as I am in the bed, just has a little comfort feed for a few minutes then goes back to sleep. If I have snuck out of the bed while she's asleep and she wakes she will cry until I am physically touching her again. Just being in the room doesn't calm her yet.
None of this bothers me and I preferably would like to continue co-sleeping as I find it a lovely experience. I am also hoping to let her self wean so the feeds aren't much of an issue (yet.. I would like to cut it down to max 1 during the night by 2 y/o preferably)
The problem is she doesn't seem at all ready for overnights yet. I have tried to get him to do 3 bedtimes at our house after him saying he wants overnights, and he gave up after 20-30 mins of her crying each time. He is now saying that he wants her in her own bed and weaned from breastfeeding within 2 months, then staying at his every other friday a month after that or he will go to court.
I am unsure what a court would say at this age, but I don't want to stop co-sleeping or breastfeeding until DD is ready, though if necessary I understand she may have to go for overnights before she is ready.
Is there any sleep evidence on young toddlers that I could show him about overnights, or any advice on what to say to him to get him to understand that she isn't ready yet?
I have offered more daytime contact, but he said he only has time for overnights.
Please or to access all these features
Please
or
to access all these features
Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.
Lone parents
Ex wanting overnights
8 replies
Lilipaddle · 22/03/2013 16:01
OP posts:
Please create an account
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.