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DD 18m has been great at self settling but now insistent on feeding to sleep. Help!

1 reply

INeedNewShoes · 25/10/2018 20:49

DD learned to self settle as a baby as I was having to express 8 times a day to encourage my milk supply so she would spend time either lying awake happily or snoozing while I expressed.

I've had a very easy ride where DD's sleep is concerned with only a few short phases of difficulty going to sleep or waking in the night.

Because DD has a dairy allergy I've opted to keep breastfeeding her, something I'd never thought I'd still be doing.

Past couple of weeks DD all of a sudden wants to feed to sleep and if gets very annoyed if I try to put her in her cot awake. This is the baby who a month ago I was putting to bed wide awake with a book to look at; she'd look at it for anywhere between 2-15 minutes then lie down and go to sleep.

When she finishes her feed now she just keeps asking for more. It's definitely not about keeping me in the room as if I try to comfort her other ways she cries and points at my boobs.

This evening I ended up leaving her to cry for ten minutes and she did go to sleep but I feel uncomfortable about this as she has recently started nursery and I want her to feel secure at home, but unless I keep giving in and feeding her over and over until she's tired enough to go in the cot fast asleep without waking I don't really know what to do.

It makes me want to stop feeding as I feel inadequate that she won't accept comfort in other forms at bedtime.

During the day she's fine and can be comforted with a cuddle, story, song, talking etc. We stick strictly to feeds morning and night and even if she'd upset she doesn't ask for a feed during the day apart from on some nap times.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FortheloveofJames · 25/10/2018 21:47

Going through periods like this is fairly normal for breastfed babies. I’m still feeding my 17 month old- like you I never thought I would be but he still loves it and so do I.

We had cut down to just morning and night feeds, which he did naturally himself, however over the last 6ish weeks he’s been wanting fed during the day again. Today he asked about 10 times 😂

It in no way makes you inadequate. Breastfeeding is one of the most natural ways for a baby to seek comfort with mum. If she’s just started nursery she may just be wanted to be close to you.

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