Feeding to sleep - how to stop?

[MrsEK1991]

Hi, my son is 15 weeks today. Since birth I’ve been breastfeeding him to sleep because it was such a sure fire way to get him to sleep (staying asleep is another matter ).

We’re just about making our way out of the 3/4 month sleep regression and I’m thinking of changing the bedtime routine so that we no longer feed to sleep because I know it’s not sustainable for us in the longer term. I know that he can be settled other ways such as rocking and with his dummy for nap time during the day, however I don’t know quite how to go about weaning him off the feed to sleep at night. This is for two reasons, firstly I want to make sure he’s getting that final feed so I don’t want to deprive him of milk, and secondly because he completely falls asleep whilst feeding every night. Should I be waking him from such a deep sleep simply to rock him to sleep a different way? This seems counter intuitive, but then I can’t see any other way without skipping the final feed. Any tips would be much appreciated

May I ask the reason?

I thought for ages that I needed to do the same because it was 'expected'.
Feeding to sleep worked for both of us. It got us through sleep regressions and I'm glad we continued and I wish I'd disregarded what other people said sooner.
The time was right for us at 14 months, and it couldn't have been smoother. DH did bedtime for a week and it was very straightforward, DS had a sippy cup with no problems.

It’s only because I’m thinking that past 6 months there will be times when he may be babysat by grandparents, and also I will be going back to work in the new year and so I may not be around for bedtimes on evenings when I work late. I appreciate both those are a little way off, but I don’t want him to be reliant on it as a way to get to sleep in the evenings for those times when I cannot be there to feed him to sleep.

Fair enough.
Have you tried unlatching before he falls asleep then cuddling/rocking to send him to sleep?
Or what about introducing a bottle for the bedtime feed? As then he'd still have the same comfort of falling asleep sucking but it will allow for the times you're not there?

I feed my 9 month old to sleep. I got so stressed a few months ago, I thought I should stop and it was so difficult.... Now I just go with it.
Funny thing is: he sleeps for his child minder and dad and grandparents without boobs.
If you do want to stop try getting someone else to put him down for a week to get him out of the habit. For daytime naps could you push him/drive him to sleep?
Good luck!!

I have always done this order:

Feed
Pjs
Book
(Teeth when they have some)
Bed, wide awake.

We changed our bedtime routine to feeding straight out of the bath (still wrapped in towel), then pyjamas, teeth, story, bed. But DS never got the message about going into his bed wide awake, and it's taken several months of very very gradual change to persuade him that he doesn't need to be fed, held, rocked etc to sleep. It still takes quite a while, and lots of reassurance, but I think we're getting there...

I’m feeding baby number 3 who is 15 months and still feeds to sleep when I’m there. When I’m not there (3 or 4 bedtimes a week) DH or MIL manage fine in other ways. Babies number 1 and 2 both fed way over a year, one over 2 years and I never stopped feeding them to sleep until it fizzled out naturally, I can’t even remember how or when. They both sleep fine at nursery and for other people. So I’m just taking the same approach with this one! Enjoy the cuddles and the fact that you have an easy way to get your baby to sleep. It’s how nature intended it!

Same here. Still feeding to sleep at 11 months. Sleeps well at night. Hubby can resettle her as well if she wakes. They will just grow out of it naturally. Honestly you are not creating any issues.

Enjoy the cuddles whilst they are still so young. Breastfeeding made teething alot easier as well... you'll have that to look forward to!
Honestly you'll know what's best for your baby and congratulations on breastfeeding for this long - you're doing amazing! X

Agree with @londonmummy2019 You really aren’t creating any issues. Feeding to sleep is the biological norm for our species. Babies grow out of it when they are ready. I’m still feeding my twins to sleep and they will be a year next month. As others have said you’ll probably be surprised how well your baby settles when they realise you’re not there and there’s no boobs on tap!