FAO anyone who breastfeeds their baby to sleep and worries about it

[DitaVonCheese]

DD is 16 months and has been breastfed to sleep for most of those 16 months, despite dire warnings from our MW at about 6 days old and various friends, family, strangers and anyone else who felt like offering an opinion I did worry that I would be doing it forever but also took the view that I might as well do what was working now and worry about the future if and when it became a problem, plus I thought that if feeding made babies go to sleep then nature probably had a plan and we should just roll with it.

From time to time we thought we should "break the sleep association" and tried things like Pantley's Pull-Off, but DD never really went with it so I'd always give up.

About six weeks ago, I found that DD would generally unlatch herself while still awake and I could then rub her back for ten minutes until she fell asleep. About four weeks ago, that stopped working and I now give her a feed then DH goes in and cuddles her to sleep (she won't sleep for me at night at all!).

So I have now gone from worrying that I would never stop feeding DD to sleep to being unable to do it - and I really miss it! It does still work for naps sometimes, but not always.

Just thought I would post for anyone who is in a similar situation - I know all babies are different but for us it has just worked itself out naturally and I'd do the same again next time. Hopefully someone will find it useful/reassuring

[DitaVonCheese]

Princess Report your post and MN will delete it for you - you can't edit on here, unfortunately.

Trinity I was really really hoping for a full night's sleep soon (my first pg symptom was peeing several times a night, so it's been a while!). I cannot actually even imagine what it must feel like to go to bed secure in the knowledge that you won't wake up for six or more hours. Heaven.

[Jenbot]

DD is 18 months old and we're still feeding to sleep, it is honestly so nice to read about others doing the same! Sometimes you feel like the only one and I have worried about whether I'm doing the right thing.

We went to our friends for NYE and their babies (6mo and 20mo) were popped into their room, had "baa baa black sheep" sang to them once and were left, followed by silence!

DD still wakes at least 4 times in the night, so the only problem is I can't go out and leave her for an evening, but I don't mind really. Deep down I feel that I'd rather just let her stop when she's ready herself.

She calls it "mak mak" and she makes the "milk" baby signing sign at the same time.

[loopyloo82]

Dita thank you. What a lovely post to start - I so often read things that make me wonder about whether it's an unwise idea to feed dd - I think this thread shows that every baby is different and there is no right or wrong (which we all know but sometimes need reassuring).

Thanks

[Horton]

Just wanted to add another positive story. DD fed to sleep until about 13 months and I did wonder how we would ever end it but one day she just stopped, even for naps, and it was absolutely fine - we just had a hug and a kiss and put her in her cot. She's 3 now and has been going to sleep in her own bed with no problems for ages now.