How do you help a bf baby to self settle?

[MarshaBrady]

I don't mind the feeding to sleep bit. But the association between sleep and bf (not due to hunger) is very strong. So through out the night he wakes and needs me to go back to sleep.

He is 8 months. And unfortunately it seems to be increasing.

So I| am too tired.

What did you do to swap from bf'ding to sleep to sleeping all night?

thanks

My DS is sometimes like this - when he's ill/teething etc he'll want boob to get back to sleep.

However he can self settle if all is well.

What we did, as he got older, from 6 months onwards was put him in his cot after a feed and pat his bum to send him to sleep. Sometimes I'd put him in with his "ducky" and he'd play about then drift off while I stepped out of sight but made low noises so he knew I was around (all in the dark).
I also have him in his own room and have turned down the monitor a bit and he'll wake, grizzle for a minute or two then drift back off. I don't hear him unless he really wants help so don't rush in.
We tried pick up put down but it didn't work after three nights so gave up.

I think it's about trying different things and seeing how the baby will cope. Obviously if they get upset then you can soothe them.

There is, however, a bit of a sleep regression around 9 months so leaving them to self soothe might not work! I'd suggest getting DH to resettle sometimes as this gets your DS used to other methods.

Thanks Igglybuff that is helpful.

Did you start the patting with the day time naps or dive in at the deep end at night?

I have half-heartedly tried to pat and soothe him but he gets distressed and wakes fully. At least with the boob it is quick and effective, even if often. But it is a bit tortuous to be woken so often.

I will try the patting thing in the day I think.

Night was actually easier than day naps! Best place to start was bedtime as DS was ready to sleep then. He also sleeps on his front so easier to try. Sometimes not patting at all works, my clue was if DS was calmly rolling about then I knew he'd probably do it by himself. For some mad reason I'd be nervous trying!

Ah the front sleeping. He has ended up on his front a few times and sleep is much better.

I could do this and get a better night sleep, or should I wait until a year? (I know it's hard to advise on this one).

I googled and it says after 6 months it's a lot safer.

Well DS flipped onto his front around 6 months. I'd put him down on his side and he'd roll over. So I let him.

He can roll both ways really easily, crawl and walk so I'm not worried about it. He sleeps in a sleepbag and only two small toys in his cot. Plus a breathable cot bumper.

It's up to you but the risk does drop dramatically come 6 months and if he rolls into that position, you'd probably disturb him rolling him back.

Also DS doesn't spend the night on his front - I find him on his back a lot (when I peek in on him).

Both of my BF DS's had a dummy from about 3 weeks old so that's always been a sleep thing, they also have a blankie bear to hold which has helped.

I wish ds did go onto his front by himself too. He rarely does. If he did I would leave him also.