Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Weaning

Find weaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Weaning forum. Use our child development calendar for more information.

Original poster

Weaning toddler from Breast at Night... HELP!

9 replies

BudgetBuster · 23/10/2025 11:35

Hi

My 20 month old is an absolute boob monster at night. He wakes up ALOT to latch on, sometimes he'll have a big drink other times he just wants the comfort.

I am in my 1st trimester of a new pregnancy and honestly I'm shattered. He's had me up pretty much all night for like a week now. I've really tried so many times to persevere and find other ways to sooth him but feeding to sleep is his magic. He will scream, hold his breath and kick me at night if I don't let him latch. He gets even worse if his Dad tries to sooth him.

Any tips on weaning? I am just so so exhausted. The plan was let him self wean and I would have tandem fed too if that's what he wanted, but I'm just so exhausted now as he seems clingier than ever.

OP posts:
GetToHeaven · 23/10/2025 11:45

No personal experience as my eldest weaned when my milk dried up in pregnancy, but Emma Pickett has a lot of helpful advice on weaning.

SleafordSods · 26/10/2025 16:57

How often are you feeding in the day @BudgetBuster? And is he in his own room?

lorisparkle · 26/10/2025 18:29

We did a gradual retreat / gradual withdrawal method. It was slow and steady but worked for us.

ds was waking every 1-2 hours and would only settle with bf. So we gradually increased the time between feeds at night by 15 minutes every 3 days. So if he woke before the allotted time I would comfort him but not feed him until the allotted time.

At the same time we worked on self soothing at bed time. So initially I would sit with ds1 on my lap, rock him, sing to him, anything really but not feed him. It was tough but I was giving him comfort so I did not feel as bad. Then every 3 days I would reduce the support I would give him and eventually I could put him in his bed and he would fall asleep alone.

my mum said she weaned me by offering a sippy cup of water if I woke in the night.

Original poster
BudgetBuster · 26/10/2025 18:56

lorisparkle · 26/10/2025 18:29

We did a gradual retreat / gradual withdrawal method. It was slow and steady but worked for us.

ds was waking every 1-2 hours and would only settle with bf. So we gradually increased the time between feeds at night by 15 minutes every 3 days. So if he woke before the allotted time I would comfort him but not feed him until the allotted time.

At the same time we worked on self soothing at bed time. So initially I would sit with ds1 on my lap, rock him, sing to him, anything really but not feed him. It was tough but I was giving him comfort so I did not feel as bad. Then every 3 days I would reduce the support I would give him and eventually I could put him in his bed and he would fall asleep alone.

my mum said she weaned me by offering a sippy cup of water if I woke in the night.

Thanks a mill
Some night wakes I'm able to just pat and shush him back to sleep but mostly he'll shout ALOT. We have 2 teens in the house too and its really not fair for them to listen to him. He never overly looked for it during the day, easily distracted but has never been good at sleeping without the boob.

We have tried the water trick and it went horrific 😂

OP posts:
MadeForThis · 26/10/2025 19:48

Google the Jay Gordon method. It’s very gentle and works!

MissRainbowBrite · 26/10/2025 19:55

Another recommendation for Jay Gordon, it works without being too harsh. But once you’ve started don’t go back, it only ends up being more confusing. Good luck

Original poster
BudgetBuster · 26/10/2025 20:30

SleafordSods · 26/10/2025 16:57

How often are you feeding in the day @BudgetBuster? And is he in his own room?

Hi
He doesn't feed at all during the day. He feeds to sleep, and then will want to laych for comfort throughout the night. Has a good feed in the morning but would take a cup of milk instead too as I'm not always there if working early.

He is in his own room but I usually get into bed with him about 1am. I do plan to stop as I think part of it is him.amelling me but just need to wait til I have a few days off work so I can catch up on some rest in the day.

OP posts:
Original poster
BudgetBuster · 26/10/2025 20:31

MadeForThis · 26/10/2025 19:48

Google the Jay Gordon method. It’s very gentle and works!

Thanks - never heard of it. Will look it up.

OP posts:
Original poster
BudgetBuster · 26/10/2025 20:31

MissRainbowBrite · 26/10/2025 19:55

Another recommendation for Jay Gordon, it works without being too harsh. But once you’ve started don’t go back, it only ends up being more confusing. Good luck

Thank you. Never heard of this but will definitely read into it. Anything is worth a try.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread