How would you deal with this (2 year old sleep)?

[theskywasallviolet]

Hi,
Just wanted to get some advice from some people that have dealt with similar. My son has not long turned 2 and we have managed to get into some bad sleep habits. I still breastfeed and usually after his bath he’ll have a feed, fall asleep and I’ll put him in his cot (about 7.30-8pm). Then he’ll wake any time between 10pm-1am and I’ll take him into bed with me. I started doing this as we were staying with my parents and I didn’t want to disturb them. In with me he’ll breastfeed 2/3 times a night and it’s manageable but not ideal, I’d like him to be back in his own bed sleeping more solidly again.

So my question is what would you do when he wakes? In the past we have had some success with Super Nanny’s timed crying technique. My husband is keen to try that again but I’m worried that it won’t work because now he’s a strong willed toddler that is much more aware of what’s going on and where he wants to be (in bed with me). I feel bad because I get that being in bed with me must be much nicer but the disrupted sleep is getting to me and I would like to wind down breast feeding but it feels like it’ll never end if we carry on like this!

Any advice welcome thanks so much.

Are you wanting to stop breastfeeding or continue feeding?
I would get him a 3/4 double feed, feed him to sleep during the night and them sneak away and when he wakes DH can hop in and cuddle him to sleep.

This is based on my experience with my older child. She was ff and coslept from 6 months until just before 2 and then DH and I took it in turns to settle her during the night - she hadn’t had milk over night from 13 months. For us ending the day time nap improved evening sleep.

He’s very clingy with me atm I think if I sneaked away and he realised he would definitely fully wake up and have a tantrum.

I would be happy if he decided to stop breastfeeding on his own, I’m not desperate to stop yet though. He’s gone through long phases with no night feeds when we weren’t cosleepong it’s just cos he wakes and I’m right there that he does it.

He had a good 6 months of sleeping well in his own cot and I want to get back to that really. He seems to still need his nap and usually goes to sleep in the evening alright it’s just he’s got into the habit of waking in the middle of the night and demanding to come into my bed!

Have a read of Dr Jay Gordon's night weaning method much more gentle than the method you've tried before and the big difference is they are used to BFing babies

Thank you I’ll give it a read!