Breast to bottle- how will she sleep???

[Karenb]

Hi,

In preparation for work, I will soon be weaning off breastfeeding after 6 months. My lo currently only sleeps on boob or in the car (I co sleep). I am terrified of having a nightmare trying to get her to sleep in her cot without falling asleep at the breast! I have tried getting her to nap in the cot with no success- tried warming cot, using blanket that smells of me and white noise. I need to basically change everything she knows about sleep?? Please let me know success stories!!!!

 

[kumber]

Following for future reference

 

[Nutsyputs]

I read a book called the no cry sleep solution when I was struggling with me son. It talks about changing sleep association and the way to do it. I never used any of the techniques cause my son found his own way in the end.

 

[Sprout]

Honestly I don't think you need to wean her? Where will she be while you're at work? Babies are remarkably good at adapting to know that when their mummies aren't there, they won't get breastfed and will find a way to sleep without, but it's so much nicer for them if they can breastfeed once you are home.

I was really worried about my LO napping once I returned to work (she was 10 months so a little older but still very dependent on feeding to sleep) but she's been absolutely fine and just has a marathon feed once I'm home from work - and this is something I've heard time and time again from other mums.

So if I was in your position, I would actually leave everything just the same while she is with you as it's going to be hardest if it's you changing anything - and let whomever has her while you work change things to be able to get her to sleep while you're gone.

 

[Karenb]

She will be at nursery. I can't continue feeding to sleep at night as I'm just not getting enough sleep as she comfort feeds lots in the night. Also, I won't be home from work at the same time each evening, if I have parents evenings or meetings it may be past her bed time. I appreciate your advice but I really don't think I can continue to feed her, I really need her to be able to go to sleep in her cot.

I gave the no cry book a quick read ages ago but will have another read, thanks

 

[JD.Deedee]

She will be at nursery. I can't continue feeding to sleep at night as I'm just not getting enough sleep as she comfort feeds lots in the night. Also, I won't be home from work at the same time each evening, if I have parents evenings or meetings it may be past her bed time. I appreciate your advice but I really don't think I can continue to feed her, I really need her to be able to go to sleep in her cot.

I gave the no cry book a quick read ages ago but will have another read, thanks

Unfortunately, and I'm going to sound harsh.. You can't expect that from a 6 month old.. My 2,5 year old still wakes at the night and only recently started sleeping in his own bed. I've been exhausted from his recent nightly parties, so I don't get any deep sleep and wake up shattered..
and I don't even work.

I'd suggest you'd start with introducing the bottle then consider whether you want to express or have your milk go back and go with formula instead.

My son had an issue with being in an enclosed space, he'd never sleep in his own bed until the day I took his sides off.

 

[Starlight1986]

She will be at nursery. I can't continue feeding to sleep at night as I'm just not getting enough sleep as she comfort feeds lots in the night. Also, I won't be home from work at the same time each evening, if I have parents evenings or meetings it may be past her bed time. I appreciate your advice but I really don't think I can continue to feed her, I really need her to be able to go to sleep in her cot.

I gave the no cry book a quick read ages ago but will have another read, thanks

Unfortunately, and I'm going to sound harsh.. You can't expect that from a 6 month old.. My 2,5 year old still wakes at the night and only recently started sleeping in his own bed. I've been exhausted from his recent nightly parties, so I don't get any deep sleep and wake up shattered..
and I don't even work.

I'd suggest you'd start with introducing the bottle then consider whether you want to express or have your milk go back and go with formula instead.

My son had an issue with being in an enclosed space, he'd never sleep in his own bed until the day I took his sides off.

Im sorry but I disagree.

Both my babies slept through from young. (7pm-7am) 1st was from about 6 weeks and 2nd from about 13 weeks. I didn't breast feed but I solely fed on demand, sometimes it was every 2 hours and sometimes much longer but I never pushed sleeping through the night at a young age, I suppose I could be classed as lucky and I am but a bit of work goes into continuing the sleeping through.

I do though think its normal to expect a 6 month old to be sleeping though and probably not the norm for a 2.5 year old still to be waking (please don't think im judging you).

Bad habits are the main cause of children not sleeping through - again im not judging x

 

[El1en]

I agree with you there starlight

I've read and been told by my dr that at 6 months babies do have the ability to sleep through. My 7 month old doesn't but she is getting much better. She was doing a mix of sleeping in the crib next to me and sleeping in my bed but at about 5 months she was waking loads and I was barely sleeping.

Last month I started by just settling her rather then feeding her in the night (I reduced the feeds over a few days), I knew she was only comfort sucking as she only did it for a minute before dropping off. Anyway a month later and now she's fed at 7pm, 11pm and then 5am. This is a massive difference. You may hate the idea but does she have a dummy? So you can use that instead of comfort feeding?

I'm not sure I should offer my opinion on sleep And if anyone disagrees that fine but please no rude comments, I used controlled crying. My oh told me we needed to try it and neither of us was getting much sleep and although I hated the idea I did. She was crying when going to sleep in the crib next to me anyway so I thought I'd just get her into her own room before she got too big for the crib.

It really wasn't as bad as I imagined or as bad as lots of people make out. The first night it took 20 mins for her to go to sleep (checking and calming at 5 minute intervals) and there were two more lots of 20 minutes during the night. On night 3 she went down and was asleep within 2 mins (happy as Larry I might add) and while she stirred a couple of times during the night she never cried and just needed sushing for less than a minute.

I know lots of people don't want to consider it and that's fine but it is an option. Or have you read about the pick up put down method?

 

[Rachyroo]

Hi Karenb!

Not spoken for ages but I was on June Mummies with you and our lo's are the same age.

I am also exclusively bf and wanting to wean to bottle (but having a hard time for other reasons, oversupply making it very hard for me to stop feeding).

But wanted to chime in and say we have recently had success getting lo to nap without feeding. I still feed him to sleep at night and intend to continue, but for naps we are using the shush/pat technique (you can google it). Previously he only slept in the car or with a huge amount of rocking/pacing, but this has just worked a treat for us. He now naps 3x a day in his cot if we are at home. His naps are very short 30-40 mins but so much better than before when he didn't nap at all.

Just for background he has been in a co-sleeper crib since birth, but he only wakes once in the night to feed around 4-5am. We bf every 3 hours during the day.

Hope this helps - first time we did it he cried quite a lot but I never left him as don't believe in crying it out/controlled crying. Just kept shushing/patting and it worked. Now he barely cries at all and it takes me between 3-15 mins to get him to nap depending on the day x

 

[Starlight1986]

I agree with you there starlight

I've read and been told by my dr that at 6 months babies do have the ability to sleep through. My 7 month old doesn't but she is getting much better. She was doing a mix of sleeping in the crib next to me and sleeping in my bed but at about 5 months she was waking loads and I was barely sleeping.

Last month I started by just settling her rather then feeding her in the night (I reduced the feeds over a few days), I knew she was only comfort sucking as she only did it for a minute before dropping off. Anyway a month later and now she's fed at 7pm, 11pm and then 5am. This is a massive difference. You may hate the idea but does she have a dummy? So you can use that instead of comfort feeding?

I'm not sure I should offer my opinion on sleep And if anyone disagrees that fine but please no rude comments, I used controlled crying. My oh told me we needed to try it and neither of us was getting much sleep and although I hated the idea I did. She was crying when going to sleep in the crib next to me anyway so I thought I'd just get her into her own room before she got too big for the crib.

It really wasn't as bad as I imagined or as bad as lots of people make out. The first night it took 20 mins for her to go to sleep (checking and calming at 5 minute intervals) and there were two more lots of 20 minutes during the night. On night 3 she went down and was asleep within 2 mins (happy as Larry I might add) and while she stirred a couple of times during the night she never cried and just needed sushing for less than a minute.

I know lots of people don't want to consider it and that's fine but it is an option. Or have you read about the pick up put down method?

Controlled crying has worked for all of my friends and people that I've spoken to or recommended it to. I think some people think you leave your baby crying for hours at a time and that's just not the case at all.

It can be such a short process and some people sort out their childs/baby sleeping in a matter of days.

I think sleep is one of the most important thing a child can have (and a mummy lol), it can improve or worsen behaviour, eating and general health etc.

People often leave it to a point where its a last resort therefor it feels worse than it is. Obviously its not to be used on young babies and use it cautiously on babies between 6-12 months x

 

[Starlight1986]

Hi Karenb!

Not spoken for ages but I was on June Mummies with you and our lo's are the same age.

I am also exclusively bf and wanting to wean to bottle (but having a hard time for other reasons, oversupply making it very hard for me to stop feeding).

But wanted to chime in and say we have recently had success getting lo to nap without feeding. I still feed him to sleep at night and intend to continue, but for naps we are using the shush/pat technique (you can google it). Previously he only slept in the car or with a huge amount of rocking/pacing, but this has just worked a treat for us. He now naps 3x a day in his cot if we are at home. His naps are very short 30-40 mins but so much better than before when he didn't nap at all.

Just for background he has been in a co-sleeper crib since birth, but he only wakes once in the night to feed around 4-5am. We bf every 3 hours during the day.

Hope this helps - first time we did it he cried quite a lot but I never left him as don't believe in crying it out/controlled crying. Just kept shushing/patting and it worked. Now he barely cries at all and it takes me between 3-15 mins to get him to nap depending on the day x

Rachyroo I heard this is a great technique for between 0-6 months but not advised to be used or to start using after 6 months, something to do with disruption to their sleep or something???? Im sure you will know more than me though cause I haven't read a lot just heard about it in passing x

 

[Karenb]

Thanks for all the advice. Spoke to hv today and she said to start by feeding her in bed then trying to settle her next to me but I know she will just cry and get very frustrated... What do you think?

I've a couple of friends who have had success with controlled crying but also have others who say it's cruel so I'm not sure?!

Ellen, as you're exclusively breastfeeding, it's interesting to hear your success story with naps!

I will have another read of your advice and think about what to try... I just know my hips won't tolerate co sleeping much longer, in agony!!

 

[Karenb]

I agree with you there starlight

I've read and been told by my dr that at 6 months babies do have the ability to sleep through. My 7 month old doesn't but she is getting much better. She was doing a mix of sleeping in the crib next to me and sleeping in my bed but at about 5 months she was waking loads and I was barely sleeping.

Last month I started by just settling her rather then feeding her in the night (I reduced the feeds over a few days), I knew she was only comfort sucking as she only did it for a minute before dropping off. Anyway a month later and now she's fed at 7pm, 11pm and then 5am. This is a massive difference. You may hate the idea but does she have a dummy? So you can use that instead of comfort feeding?

I'm not sure I should offer my opinion on sleep And if anyone disagrees that fine but please no rude comments, I used controlled crying. My oh told me we needed to try it and neither of us was getting much sleep and although I hated the idea I did. She was crying when going to sleep in the crib next to me anyway so I thought I'd just get her into her own room before she got too big for the crib.

It really wasn't as bad as I imagined or as bad as lots of people make out. The first night it took 20 mins for her to go to sleep (checking and calming at 5 minute intervals) and there were two more lots of 20 minutes during the night. On night 3 she went down and was asleep within 2 mins (happy as Larry I might add) and while she stirred a couple of times during the night she never cried and just needed sushing for less than a minute.

I know lots of people don't want to consider it and that's fine but it is an option. Or have you read about the pick up put down method?

I tried dummies a while back but not recently. How did you settle your lo without feed? Sophie just roots around for breast like a crazed animal lol!!!

 

[El1en]

Well the dummy just worked for us. Popped that in and either sung to her or sushed her. My oh didn't think it was a good idea as I was just switching her "sleep trigger" to the dummy but I don't mind her having one and at least I didn't constantly need to have the boob out.

 

[Karenb]

Well the dummy just worked for us. Popped that in and either sung to her or sushed her. My oh didn't think it was a good idea as I was just switching her "sleep trigger" to the dummy but I don't mind her having one and at least I didn't constantly need to have the boob out.

Yes and it won't be just you who can put we down I guess? Will try dummy, I think they're good for sleep, only dislike them when you see little ones playing with them in. Thanks for advice xx