My toddler used to breastfeed to sleep , he fed through the night until almost 18 months. Sleep has always been a bit tricky and after about 9 months we started taking him into bed with us when he woke up through the night . We all slept better this way.
Sleep got better when I stopped breastfeeding and he would usually be out down sleeping in his cot.. wake up around 2-5am , cry, I would take him into our bed and then he would sleep until morning .
The routine has been similar ever since - milk bottle / cuddles to sleep at 7 then into bed in the night.
Recently he has been taking a lot longer to fall asleep , he finishes his milk then starts playing/ chatting. Refuses to be put down and so I can be In his room for an hour and. Half sometimes at bedtime. Then when he comes into our bed in the night he is so unsettled and it feels like he doesn't sleep at all ( loads of wriggling - no crying )
After a couple of months of rough sleep I realise something needs to change.
My first move is to put him down in his cot awake. Today is my first day of this and basically I'm cuddling him at the cot bars until he settles. Poor wee boy is devastated.. Just asking for cuddles ðŸ˜
Basically I just need to know I'm not a terrible mum !
I know my method isn't going to change things quickly but I've always been a fan of slow changes to help him adapt. Hoping if we can work together to nail bedtime then ths night time awakenings might sort them self.
Realistically I know I need to commit to this overnight but we will see how I feel in the middle of the night after a long day at work !
Does anyone have any similar success stories of gently working through separation anxiety with their little one ?