Trying to night wean toddler. hard!!! Anyone buck me up?

[alittleteapot]

Dd is 18 months and has been a not great sleeper for the last year, with bf the only way to get her back to sleep, which means about six in the evening at night.

We're in the middle of trying to teach her to sleep for longer periods - essentially night weaning - using the Jay Gordon programme.

Here is my thread about it www.mumsnet.com/Talk/sleep/675474-Anyone-want-to-hold-my-hand-Started-Jay-Gordon-sleep

It's hard! I don't feel like she's traumatised but she sure is angry, and I'm very tired. Last night I got her to sleep at the beginning of the night not on the boob, which was a real breakthrough, and not much crying. She woke at about 11 and that was ok too. But then at 2am she was furious and I ended up getting up and watching poker for an hour and then caved in because i was just too tired. which i guess will have undone all the good work.

anyway, any moral support or similar experience would be good to hear!

thanks Grendle. We are gently beginning to introduce some rules, e.g. at bedtime bath, teeth, milk, story, which she seems to be understanding, embracing even. she generally doesn't feed during the day now unless she's bored and i try not to give into this now.

I'm confused about the night time though as while i get what you're saying about dropping feeds rather than whole chunks of time, can babies and toddlers really differentiate between different times of feeds once they've gone to bed for hte night i.e. can she be taught that 11pm is ok but before then isn't for example? i know lots of babies do fall into a routine but can one be introduced at this late stage? that's my dilemma really - if i'm inconsistent is that just confusing for dd?

alittleteapot, i just want to say thank you for all your posts about trying to help your little one to sleep.

I'm in the same boat and i'm exhausted but we have alwasy co-slept, worn our babies and breastfed and i just cannot be at peace with enforcing any harsh sleep regimen.

having said that, i am exhausted to the point that my health is suffering so i have decided to try the Jay Gordon thing.

Please keep posting your journey...hopefully we can support each other.

I really hope that both of you manage to sort things out so that you get some sleep/ peace and keep your babies happy. Don't do anything you do not feel happy with (like cc) because that is not going to help either of you.

Ds has now stopped bf (well he dropped all the feeds except the bedtime one and I stopped that one as I do want to be able to play in my band again and go out sometimes...)and he sleeps right through now. Love the new bedtime routine which involves story, some warm milk from a cup (does not always want it), then lots of cuddles and snuggles until he gets real sleepy but not yet gone, then in bed and fall asleep by himself.

I feel like a new woman. Can't imagine that 5 weeks ago he was waking 6 times a night.
And keep going to bed too late.

Haven't read thread. I'm afraid we were brutal. DH, a cup of cow's milk and earplugs for me were the only way for us. But it only took about 3 days; and sleeps (mostly) like a log now except when teething/poorly for the last couple of months.

I fed to sleep and for first couple of weeks, anything up to midnight. Anything between midnight and 6, DH goes in.

He finds it hard but since I've been doing night feeds for 16 months it's only fair!

...Yes to the revelation of sleep. And I think he wanted to sleep too. He was so much happier in the day when sleeping all night...

madmouse I am so pleased for you - it sounds like a lovely routine for you both!

I am soooo pleased as last night I continued (day 2) the Dr Jay method and ....wait for it....DS slept thru from 1:30am until 7am when his brother woke him!!!

I haven't slept more than 3hrs in a row for 3.5 years so this is so wonderful for me!