7 month old fights falling to sleep

[B.Bee]

I do have to breastfeed my daughter to sleep for naps and night time. Even still she rolls over and plays about a bit now once fed and then after about 10/20 mins gets bored and will cry a bit as she is still tired, it is difficult sometimes as I try to feed again and cant produce milk so quickly for her she gets frustrated starts mumbling and making noises from frustration and rolls over babbling and rolling about. its a hour long process and she only gets to sleep sometimes after a longer cry but its the time it takes to get her to sleep. She can then wake up in 10/15 mins still tired but needing to be fed to sleep again so another hour is spent. I have tried the elastic band technique but she got hysterical and I cannot do this, I dont believe I should put her through that and will not try controlled crying as read lots about it a disagree with the ethics. trying nipple removal but she is so stubborn and persistent to have it.... help please.....

[jane1098]

it depends how you feel about dummies but that happened to me and as a result i gave my baby a dummy after feeds. then gave her a bottle of formula at night instead of breast. it worked for her. you could try it.
if your dead set against dummies.... sorry.

[tigwig]

there is another technique you could try which is similar to the controlled crying one the only difference is you do not leave the baby to cry. You place your baby in her cot at bedtime and comfort her etc then leave. If she cries, you go immediately back and pick her up and cuddle her until she stops. As soon as she does, put her back down and leave again. Keep repeating this and eventually, the idea is that the baby learns that she will be comforted and doesn't have to be distraught to get that reassurance. Hopefully then baby will learn the vital skill of falling to sleep on her own which is something all babies have to learn to do, sleep only comes very naturally and a reflex action to newborns so if you do not want your baby to cry at all then you are probably been unrealistic. Good luck

[B.Bee]

thanks, i have tried the elastic band technique but got to stage where i picked her up comforted her then back in cot but continuous crying throughout so held her longer but this went on for hour and half so turned cruel. i understand the tired cry and thats ok as a natural process but crys of distress just arent acceptable to me. maybe i will read some more books, more advice is appreciated

[Psychick]

Sorry but can I just ask what the elastic band technique is? I am expecting my second but never heard of it and Im genuinely interested.

[B.Bee]

its where you put them in the cot and sit with them or you can stand outside the room when they cry you go in pick them up console them then out them in the cot, wait and see if they settle if they cry again you pick them up console them and put them back, the idea is to stay outside the room and eventually baby falls asleep as works out they are really tired and crying doesnt help... although my daughter cried so much i couldnt put her back in as inconsoleable..... i have tried using a dummy for todays naps and although there is a fight as I have to hold her arms to stop her taking out the dummy ( not forcefully but gently) she does grumble and 20 mins later asleep but with dummy instead. i think is a compremise and i know not perfect but not too stressful and hopefully will go well tonight

[audlowe]

hello - dont worry this wont last but at the moment you think its going to go on forever and a day! I breast fed both my two sons - my eldest for 6 months and the youngest for 12 months - babies are unpredictable and change their habits daily with new ones coming along and old ones going - you can never over feed with breast milk - I used to feed the youngest 30 mins after he had one feed then sometimes it would be 10 mins later - You just have to persevere - Its unbelievable when you think these tiny little humans can take over our lives and are much stronger than you think! Your baby will sleep when she wants to without forcing - unless you know something is seriously wrong then go on your instincts YOU WILL KNOW when to get a doctor! Be strong and dont get too upset with her - At this moment in time she will let you know what she wants - sometimes she will just use you for comfort and there is no harm in that - Time goes so quickly without realising and your little girl will be starting school before you know it and this phase in her life will be over with - My sons are adults now and two strapping 6ft 5" young men - Breast feeding didnt do them any harm at all - Even if it was every 10 mins or so!! Good Luck and Enjoy your baby x

[laurenellael]

Swaddling is the key to make fall asleep your little one.