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Sleep

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Original poster

How to night wean 17 month old, boobie obsessed, co sleeper

11 replies

SunnySide1992 · 18/04/2023 08:10

As in the title how do I night wean my daughter?

At the moment she is waking every 2 hours at night (she has a cold and cough) and the only thing that will re settle her is boob
Any tips on how to night weaning? Wanting to get my period back so we can TTC no.2

she won't have a bottle or a dummy, has never got attached to a comforter (just throws soft toys) and doesn't like cows milk.....

Have tried her in her cot and own room a few times but it was disaster. Willing to try again but she's in such a routine going into our bedroom for bedtime I'm not sure how to do it!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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BoogleOogle · 18/04/2023 08:13

Your partner co sleeps with her for a few nights and does all the wake-ups?

I didn't co sleep but night weaned mine by DH taking over for about three nights.

BoogleOogle · 18/04/2023 08:13

He just did it with cuddles, definitely don't introduce cows milk as an alternative!

McKenzieFriend001 · 18/04/2023 08:18

Very interested in how to do this as we are in the same boat (apart from the co sleeping part). Bf on demand, I WFH so feeds little at wake up (because they feed so frequently through the night), and during the day 9.30, 11.30, 3.30, and 6.30....

@BoogleOogle how do you manage / cope with the hunger screams when partner is settling? 17mo has a particular cry when hungry and I've found it very, very hard not to go to them 😳

Original poster

SunnySide1992 · 18/04/2023 08:20

My dh has offered but his work is so demanding and is working long hours at the moment I just don't want him to have lack of sleep 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:

BoogleOogle · 18/04/2023 09:26

SunnySide1992 · 18/04/2023 08:20

My dh has offered but his work is so demanding and is working long hours at the moment I just don't want him to have lack of sleep 🤦‍♀️

Can he take some holiday? Do it on the bank holiday weekend? Go to bed when they do for the two or three nights so he gets some sleep earlier?

Honestly, if he's offered then let him. Unless he's a surgeon/pilot etc and someone might die if he's tired then he will cope. I'm sure you've coped with demanding things over the last year and a half!

BoogleOogle · 18/04/2023 09:28

McKenzieFriend001 · 18/04/2023 08:18

@BoogleOogle how do you manage / cope with the hunger screams when partner is settling? 17mo has a particular cry when hungry and I've found it very, very hard not to go to them 😳

Just had to brace myself through it/ear plugs/headphones to hear it less. It's only for two or three nights and then the relief at not having to do every single wake-up, even when really ill etc was indescribable so definitely worth it!

BoogleOogle · 18/04/2023 09:31

I stopped feeding in the day (my choice, not sure if that made it easier as DCs were already used to going without milk for long periods, and during the day you can settle with actual food if they're hungry) a free months before night weaning, and still did bedtime and morning feeds after night weaning for a few months.

BoogleOogle · 18/04/2023 09:31

Few months not free months

tealandteal · 18/04/2023 09:35

I would offer lots of food and milk in the day so you know they are getting enough. Ask your partner to do the first wake up, sounds like it won’t be too late?

Agree a method in advance for getting baby back to sleep, rocking, patting, singing, whatever works for you. I found shushing and patting them in their cot works best for us.

Then build it up slowly, I went for one wake a night not feeding at first, then see how you go, you can try every other, or not feeding before a certain time, whatever suits you both.

LG93 · 18/04/2023 09:37

As a pp unless your DH is a surgeon or pilot or perhaps a driver nobody is going to come to harm if he's a bit tired at work for a few days and presumably your sleep has been disturbed for the last 17 months.

Remember no 17 month old that's eating during the day is hungry for milk in the night, it's comfort and habit which is normal/fine when it suits you but if you want to stop they won't Starve. I would remove yourself from the equation, sleep elsewhere in the house/book a hotel if needed and leave DH to it, if little one knows you're there it'll be worse for all involved. Any crying/screaming will be protest at the fact they aren't getting what they're used to, but if someone they know (DH) is there to comfort them they won't come to any harm, they've not been abandoned, they just need to learn a new way of falling asleep. In my experience if you're consistent with it it only takes a few nights for them to learn to sleep without feeding to sleep and then it all starts slotting back into place quite quickly after that.

Good luck! X

HVPRN · 18/04/2023 09:47

Sounds like your LO needs it with her being poorly. - this up in night feeds always made me want to wean because of the wakeful nights!!

For info, my first had BM in the night until her brother was born at 2y10m. My periods returned naturally when she was 18m and I tandem fed for a short while. After my second, my period returned naturally when he was 21m old.

Do you have Instagram? If so, Danielle, 'the breastfeeding mentor' (no spaces) is amazing to help with weaning gently off breastfeeding.

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