My almost 2 year old DS has co slept with me from birth. Never slept in a cot for more than a few hours and has been in bed with me from the very first night home from the hospital.
current set up is he has a double floor bed in his bedroom which I cuddle him to sleep in, then I spend the evening with DH then join him in his bed at about 11ish. This has worked really well, he wakes a few time and goes back to sleep with a cuddle and I’ve loved sleeping with him.
the problem is he strokes/tickles/scratches me (must be my skin, preferably my chest) as a source of comfort and this means every time he wakes or is in a light sleep cycle he will constantly stroke me and it’s driving me insane now. From about 5am onwards it’s constant and I can’t bare it anymore. I’ve tried every type of comforter or soft teddy and nothing will do, it must be my skin. He can get in/under/ down any type of pajamas that I wear. He does it during the day when sad or hurt as well but I can usually re direct him then but it’s more difficult at night when I’m half asleep and if I try to stop it he just wakes up and gets very upset until he can touch me.
Im thinking the only solution really is to get him sleeping on his own which makes me sad because I really enjoy co sleeping but I really can’t bare constantly being pawed all night long anymore! I really don’t want to do any type of cry it out or sleep training. Anyone any hints of advice how to gently transition away from co sleeping at this age?