Can I have some advice for a friend please about sleep, weaning and milestones?

[charchargabor]

My friend's DS is nearly 13 months and is about to start walking. She is also starting to wean him off bfing. Her DS is waking every 20 minutes or so during the night and she's putting him in her bed to get some sleep, which she isn't keen on doing. She is also wondering about putting him in his own room and whether people think that would help. Any advice/experience please?

Wow, just a few issues there then!

Ok. Waking every 20 mins could be linked to learning a new skill and will pass. As for methods of encouraging sleep and/or weaning this is really very individual.

Suggestions might include. reducing bf during day by having lots of snacks available. and focusing on that first.

During the night she could continue to feed him when he wakes but put him in his own bed. however this will be more tiring for her. It may help him get used to sleeping alone - but if he isn't ready for it he might awake everytime she puts him down and yell about it.

I think decide on priorities. Long-term him in his on room with nil bf. short-term, bf but own bed? bf shared bed and more sleep?

I thought the 20 min wakeups would be linked to walking too. He's only settling in her bed for any period of time atm and she is obv exhausted. I'm not certain whether she wants to full wean or just nightwean, think it's fully wean. Will suggest to cut down in the day first. He was a great sleeper a few weeks ago, so I'm pretty sure it is the walking that is screwing it up. I would normally advise to go with the flow and keep him in her bed until he settles down again then proceed with weaning etc. But obv our parenting styles differ and don't think she would be keen on that. Thanks Slur.

I found that DD was very wakeful overnight just before mastering crawling and then again just before mastering walking. So I wonder if a similar thing is happening with her DS and once he's mastered walking things will be easier, and she can start making changes then?

Also, this isn't from personal exp., but I'm thinking if she wants to nightwean it might be better to increase day feeds temporarily?

That's what I think as well dez, I know I can't do anything with DD before a major milestone. Will ask her whether she's nightweaning or completely and will pass that on. Thankyou