Nursing to sleep & how to break the habit

[Chocolateyclaire76]

My 9 week old is a terrible sleeper and I think I've made a rod for my own back re nursing her to sleep. Currently she has a bottle of formula and then breast feeds. She falls asleep with my nipple in her mouth and I sit there for 30 mins to ensure she's asleep. When I lean forward to move her, my nipple moves, she wakes up starts to cry and then the whole process starts again! I've tried avoiding breast feeding her then but she kicks off, I've tried putting her down dozey but she kicks off and now I'm completely desperate. She only naps on my during the day - whilst feeding - therefore there is no real time I can sleep. She is extremely strong willed and cries full on when any of the above happens.

Please can someone offer me some advice & guidance as I think I'm going slightly mad!!

Hi
I also used to feed dd to sleep. She grew out of it gradually.
Everyone has an opinion on how children should be raised and impersonally am in the " whatever works" camp!

I used to lie with dd on a double futon ( so I could roll away with out the matteress jiggling) by 5 mo I was feeding her, latching of and lying next to her pretending to be asleep. We did that for about ten days then I needed to pee so I got up straight after feeding, she started howling so I closed the door to drown it out a little. By the time I has finished she had wound right down to grizzling so I left her. Since them I have always left while she's awake.
Habits can be changed. Just do whatever works for you and graudally introduce changes when opportunity arises

I have a bad sleeper and some things that have helped me - it's more about changing your attitude than your baby, as it's much easier to control your own behaviour rather than someone else's (even if that person is a baby). Instead of seeing it as a rod for your own back, see it as taking advantage of an amazing natural response to bf that they fall asleep - why fight that association, it's very handy! I nearly drove myself nuts trying to change ds and get him to sleep like I thought he should.

Have a look at safe co-sleeping, I put the bed against the wall, no covers and cot on the other side so he couldn't flip out, bf, then push finger into your breast beside the nipple to gently break the seal, commando roll and get away. Equally you can nap like this, lie with your arm stretched out above her head and it's impossible to roll. You do need to get some sleep somehow or it will get increasingly difficult to manage.

Agree that they change all the time so you won't be stuck with this forever.

Hi. I have a 13 week old DD and always feed to sleep. The way I see it is she wants the comfort as well as the sustenance and that's what you can do with BFing. I'm not sure you can make bad habits at 9 weeks old as they are so new. If I were you I'd just go with the flow.
If its driving you potty though (which I understand- it can take ages!) u might get some good tips on the bottle and breast feeding forum as there are BFing counsellors who are really knowledgeable.
Sorry, that seems really unhelpful

gaurdian article

This is an interview with the bloke who's research fsids use to say that co sleeping is not safe.
Please read it an make up your own mind

Fwiw we co slept and I actually do not understand how parents manage to do anything else in the first few months. I don't mean that to sound judgemental I just can't imagine how it works.
There are risk factors to bear in mind, if you or your partner smoke or drink, how soft your bed is and bedding. Also overheating can be an issue if you wrap them up for bed then they have your body heat etc.
whatever you do, be good to yourself this is a really difficult time and you've done great to stick it so far

I don't mind co sleeping and we have done it but she fidgets and kicks so much it means I get absolutely no sleep. As this is not an option the nursing to sleep is causing all sorts of problems as no nipple in mouth = wide awake, and this is even after waiting an hour sat in a chair at 4am whilst she sleeps soundly in my arms. I love the closeness but as we can't co sleep I have to put her down at some point.

How do u feel about a dummy? U could try that then she can still suck and u can get your nipple back.

We try the dummy as well but when it drops out she wakes up - Grrr!