breastfeed

[B.Bee]

How can I change from breastfeeding my baby to sleep she is 6 months old now and looks for a feed to sleep

[Goodsoulette]

hey B.Bee, I seriously wouldn't worry about it. I breast fed both of my kids to sleep and they both have healthy sleeping patterns and dont need soothing to go to sleep. Literally, I could take them to their bed/cot pop them down, kiss them good night and walk out the door. I think at 6 months being left in her cot to fall asleep naturally might be quite traumatic for her. I think my eldest was about 1 and my youngest 10 months when they stopped needing to feed to sleep.

[B.Bee]

Thank you so much for that, it is just the reassurance I needed, as all friends with babies same age can pretty much fall asleep now without a feed, some do sometimes and not others, I just needed to know it wont affect her falling asleep naturally later on.

[winny]

Hi B.Bee, can I make a small suggestion, have you thougt of maybe expressing a bottle for bed for her. I am only thinking of what to do when you are not there to feed her to sleep. Please dont take it wrong I think you are doing a grand job feeding, My two have always had a bottle and cuddle and immediatly been put down in the cot sort of half asleep and have always slept well. Is she actually falling asleep on you or is she simply falling asleep due to the full belly and night time routine. If the latter is the case I would not worry at all. If the former then all is still well but it may lead to a lack of independance for you later on. Babies are funny things she may just adapt to whatever you throw at her simply cus she is a comtented soul, you never can tell.

[B.Bee]

hello thank you for your message, I have tried all sorts of bottles with her and she has taken them I would say twice since she was born, she gets so stressy it hasnt been worth continuing. I am currently trying to get her to use a cup, just a dody one not the spouted ones as she cant work those out, but she wont take milk from a cup only water with apple juice. I do breast feed her to sleep for her morning and afternoon naps and it works well sometimes i manage to finish by exahanging my nipple for a dummy but sometimes she is wised up to the change and has a big paddy so I have to sooth her with a breast feed again. She isnt silly and knows what she likes. any other ideas would be good, thanks again

[aims1202]

I think the best thing to do is let her fall asleep on her own without feeding, the earlier you do this easier it will be. It might not but it might be very hard to do it when she is much older. At first she will cry but she is ok and will get used to it. You can rub her tummy and talk to her to make her feel reassured at first. you could also give her a blanket or cloth to hold as this is a nice thing for comfort and security that is ok to get attached to. once you think its ok to leave the room keep going back in to reassure her your still there. it wont take too long for her to be happy to go to sleep on her own.
I know people who have 2/3yr olds who still need their mum with them to get to sleep and then wake in the night wanting mum there again. its shattering for mum and i think it makes the child feel insecure on their own.
My son is 4 and has always gone to sleep on his own and happy. i still go back in his room every so often while hes falling asleep. good luck