How the hell do I get him to sleep?

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I'm sitting here with the hairdryer on (it's probably about to explode actually) in a futile attempt to get my DS to sleep. He is almost 6 months old. Admittedly he doesn't have much routine as our household is a little... spontaneous, with dogs requiring walking at funny times due to behavioural issues (a whole 'nother thread for a whole 'nother section) and my DP working erratic hours. He still co sleeps although I'd rather give this up as I'm not getting any sleep, but side-carring the cot to the bed hasn't even helped - he wakes up as soon as he realises he's not RIGHT next to me. Still breastfeeds through the night, how often depends on how hungry he is, although I suspect it is mostly for comfort. Won't take dummy or bottle. Has to be fed to sleep every night. I am losing the will to live slightly as DP and I never have any time to ourselves!

Thoughts and tips graciously received.

You can take the dogs out at night and let your husband deal with putting him to bed

Cote, exactly my plan with regards to dog walking and bedtime!

We did it the other way round, DH goes in to settle DD when she wakes in the night instead of me feeding her; then we'll tackle settling herself to sleep. It's working so far

I was in exactly your position with DS1 - I'd always rocked and BFed him to sleep and then after about nine months I couldn't cope with doing it any longer. I used 'The No Cry Sleep Solution' and it was very helpful. I highly recommend it. Now I have a second DS I've put him down to self-soothe since day one - I wasn't falling into that trap again!

obviously you need to find a solution that works for you, but you are absolutly not fucking him up.

There's nowt wrong with feeding to sleep, bf during the night, whatever it takes if you are happy doing it. Obviously if you aren't you need to find a new way...i can't really help with that. Have always found cosleeping and bf the best way to get to and stay asleep all round. Ds spontaniously started sleeping through at 15m.

Also there have been times he has needed solids during the night, never mind bf. So don't be dismayed if it turns out the sucking isn't comfort. I'd be suprised if it was only comfort at 6m tbh. Plus comfort is a good thing to be able to provide.

Also re routine don't feel you have to unless it's a benefit to you or the dc. We only bothered when ds decided on his own routine around 10m. Before that it would have been more hassle than it's worth imo.

What i'm saying is, of course, do what you need to, but don't worry, they will outgrow it all eventually anyway.

I don't mind BF him during the night, and wouldn't mind co sleeping if we had a bigger bed - mind you his preference is to be either on me or as close as possible. Just eager to get him sleeping in his sidecarred cot. There's not much point in forcing too much independence now anyway as he's in with us and doesn't have his own room to go into anyway. Relieved to hear your DS started to go through of his own accord, MoonFace, gives me hope. :)

Too many anyways.

They all do it eventually lottery, i was just lucky that ds broke before i did.