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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Feeding to sleep- how did you stop

7 replies

SRK16 · 12/07/2020 14:33

My son has always been tricky to get to sleep, so when I figured out I could feed him to,sleep I was thrilled at my nifty trick. However, it’s no longer so nifty... he’s coming up to ten months and I rarely get him to sleep (including naps) without bf. he doesn’t take a bottle, and bf is a significant part of his sleep routine. Due to lockdown it’s not been a problem as it’s just been me and him on the whole, but I’m now wondering how on earth his dad or childcare will ever get him to nap or go to bed if I’m out/when I go back to work in a few months.
I don’t want him to be distressed and don’t have the mental energy for a huge fuss about this, so want to take a slow/soft approach.
So far I have added in a story to his sleep routine, and introduced a comforter that sometimes (twice ha) he will suck on after I stop feeding. I have also shifted the order so he goes in his sleeping bag before the story. I don’t let him feed until he’s completely comatose, I pull him off when his sucking slows down. Mostly this goes okay.
Next I’m thinking to start feeding in another room rather than his bedroom, so if he does doze off he’ll be semi awake/drowsy getting into his cot.
How did you manage to stop feeding to sleep and what does my plan sound like? I’m thinking of speaking to a consultant about it but not sure.
Things are complicated by the fact that he isn’t that interested in bf outside of sleep time so I’m worried he will wean off it too early.
Keen for any thoughts or advice!

OP posts:
tbtf · 12/07/2020 15:09

I still feed DD 12m before sleeps, it's the only time I do. In the last 6/8 weeks she stopped falling asleep while feeding, she feeds til she's drowsy then she lays on the bed with a dummy stroking my arm then I move her to the cot.

Childminder has her own way to do it. DH doesn't yet because I do all sleeps because I like it. If me and DH wanted him to do it it'd probably take them a few tries to find their own routine but I'm not going to teach DD a way without BF as it's so easy for me.

So don't worry about other people not being able to BF, they'll figure out their own way without you.

Original poster
SRK16 · 12/07/2020 15:17

How did you feel about childminder getting your dd to nap? Did your dd struggle without you? I feel this is probably more my issue than my sons, I’m just so worried he’ll be really distressed! Like you, I like doing the sleeps so it’s not an issue for me so much it’s more I’m worried it’s going to be a big issue when I do step back.

OP posts:
Isbutteracarb · 12/07/2020 15:33

I started work full-time when my EBF DS was 10 months - he needed some time to settle and get used to things but he would go down for naps at nursery and at grandparents no problem. My mum used to take him for walks to get him to sleep at first then after a few weeks she'd just put him down in the cot and he'd fall asleep by himself. I'm not sure exactly how they got him to sleep at nursery but they never had any problems getting him to nap - I think it's easier if you're not there as they know BF isn't an option.

tbtf · 12/07/2020 18:17

@SRK16

How did you feel about childminder getting your dd to nap? Did your dd struggle without you? I feel this is probably more my issue than my sons, I’m just so worried he’ll be really distressed! Like you, I like doing the sleeps so it’s not an issue for me so much it’s more I’m worried it’s going to be a big issue when I do step back.
It was heart wrenching leaving DD with a childminder knowing that I've been the only source of milk and comfort, but they're professional, nursery too will have seen this 100s of times. DD and childminder are working out their own routines, it's only been a couple of sessions so far, more this week, so we're still at the start but I'm confident we'll work it out Smile
Original poster
SRK16 · 12/07/2020 20:45

Thank you both, this is so reassuring. I know they figure it out eventually but I’ve been feeling so stressed out about it! I feel better now.

OP posts:
Isbutteracarb · 12/07/2020 20:48

@SRK16 I know exactly how you feel, I had nightmare visions of DS being inconsolable and screaming but that was never the case - babies adapt amazingly well :)

Zebrasinpyjamas · 12/07/2020 20:59

Dd is 1 and I put her in her cot at lunchtime tired but wide awake and feed to sleep most evenings (doesn't always work these days). The variation doesn't seem to bother her even though I do both sleep routines not dh. She knows the difference some how.
I've never managed the putting them down in the mythical 'drowsy but awake' state!

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