LO not self-settling. How do you cope??

[cherrylola]

6.5mo LO has never self-settled to sleep. Has only in the last month or so taken any type of nap (usually only 30mins and only ever because he falls asleep on the boob and I extremely carefully put him down, which only works 50% of the time ).
In the last couple of weeks he has been stiring/crying out (not fully waking) at least 6 times, upto 10 times, a night. He never settles himself and as we co-sleep (love it but really through necessity!) I have got into the habit of putting him on the boob each time so he drifts off to sleep again quickly rather than risk him fully waking up and then battling back to sleep.
Now I'm stuck and don't know what to do! I haven't had more than 2 hours uninterrupted sleep in so long , help me cope and encourage him to settle please!

no help with the self settling but both my two have had frequent night feeds well beyond a year..I think that's normal?! my 'trick' has always been to offer a feed the minute they stir (or get 'itchy face' as DH calls it because when they rub their face in their sleep IME it means they are hungry) and then they never really wake up fully. it might be worth looking at the Kellymom website for what's 'normal' at this age but I think not self-settling is far more common than we're lead to believe..why wouldn't a baby want the comfort of their mum each time they wake? I'm only expecting DD to want less than 6-10 feeds at night now and she's 14 months, unfortunately she has other ideas so I'm just going with her lead. hopefully someone will be along with some practical advice in a bit but I honestly don't think your baby is anything unusual

Thanks cupoftea, how disappointing that it is so common! He had got into a manageable 2/3 partial wakings before Xmas, only one of which was really a good feed (the others would just be a quick suckle then back to zzzz's), so i was quite happy! He would then have a full feed upon waking up properly for the day. I guess I got spoiled for a few weeks when he pretty much consistently did this!

Well at least you know he can do it even if he's not doing it right now! To be honest I just find they change what they get up to so often, the trouble is each phase (when it's difficult) seems so long! I have friends who have weaned completely at night before a year so it is possible, but I think it depends on your baby's temperament and needs and the way you parent - for example I will moan about being tired and feeding constantly at night but if there's any crying involved in trying to change the situation I'd rather wait until DC seems more ready. He may surprise you and go back to what he was doing before, especially if it's just a growth spurt. they have their own agenda though I find!

I would defiantly rather avoid crying whenever possible (motorway driving with bubs in the car is my worst nightmare because you can't just pull over to comfort!). I suppose something is making him stir more at night at the mo and hopefully it will sort itself out.

My 10 month old is the sane, she wakes anything between 3 - 10 times a night, gets up at 4.45am and doesn't nap in pram or on me!

Co-sleeping also not an option as she heads for the edge of the bed...