Hello!

Hi. So my 18 months old is contact sleeping with me even at night. She only sleeps in my arms and she breastfeeds a lot while sleeping for comfort I think. I have tried to wean her from sleeping in my arms and breastfeed while sleeping but she doesn’t stop screaming and crying. I don’t know what to do, I really want to sleep properly. I have been sleep deprived for so long.


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  • For your sanity and sleep I would transition to a bottle


  • I am lucky if i can have 3 hrs of unbroken sleep. ???? she is very different from my first born who sleeps well at night even with co sleeping. During christmas break i will try not to be in the same room with her, she will only sleep with her dad. I hope it will work after 3 days ???? she never sleeps with her dad alone, she is just sticking with me and my breast .


  • I totally understand how tough this must be for you! It’s really hard when your little one relies on you so much for comfort, and the sleep deprivation can make it feel even harder. It might help to try a gradual approach—like reducing the amount of time she breastfeeds to sleep each night and offering comfort in other ways like gently patting her or rubbing her back. You can also start working on a bedtime routine that signals it’s time for sleep, like a bath or storytime, and maybe introducing a comfort object like a stuffed animal or blanket to help her feel secure. It’s all about small steps, and remember, it’s okay to ask for help if you need it! You’ve got this.


  • Please take help from loved ones to help you in sleep during the day , so you can look after her well , and do your duties to her. It’s really hard for new moms to handle this as all our routine changes quickly.


  • Sleep deprivation is terrible and can impact on so many other areas and it is always good to have it managed. Seeking professional support and advice is a good idea when all other strategies have been attempted. Professionals are usually so understanding and want the best options for mothers and babies in this situation.


  • I think it all depends on you and your child as everyone is different. I am sure you have tried a few things already, my advice would be to talk to your health nurse or doctor or even look up some Facebook communities that could help. Have you got a group of other mum friends you could discuss this with too?


  • You could apply some gentle methods
    Limit Access.
    Get Dad in on the nighttime routine!
    Increase daytime contact.
    Talk to your child.
    Just say “no”… or “later.”With an older child (over 18 months), feel secure enough to say “no” (at least some of the time) while staying sensitive to your child’s needs.
    Substitute other comfort measures.You also may try other things to settle her, such as a back rub, just holding and cuddling, getting her a drink of water, humming softly, etc.


  • Respectfully disagree with the below comment. You can sleep train at night but maintain contact naps during the day, which is what I have done. Sleep deprivation can damage your health, and your bub wants you around for as long as possible. Taking away one contact sleep will not take away from any love or longing that your child feels from you.


  • Breastfeeding is not only nourishing; it’s also nurturing. Your breast is a wonderful place of comfort and security to your child, not just a “feeding trough”. The time spent breastfeeding your child is a very short period in the total life of your child, but the memories of your love and availability will last him a lifetime. Trust that your child will fall asleep on his own in time, and enjoy every sleepy moment while it lasts.


  • I would ask a community nurse for advice on his. I’m sure it comes up often.


  • Oh honey this was me until a few months ago. I found that it wasn’t until I stopped breastfeeding that my bub would sleep properly. It was as if he was waking purposefully to keep comfort suckling. I had to transition to bottles and pumping, then I decided to go to formula. Not something everyone wants to do, I understand. Then after he was comfortable on bottles, I did a very very light Ferber method. I couldn’t stay in the room while he was in the cot, he would go ballistic. Every minute I would go in and comfort. The first night was hard, half an hour until he slept. Second night, 10mins. Third, 2 mins. He’s now sleeping through the night in his cot 12 hours. I was rocking him to sleep until 10 months old until it was too much, we were both only getting 7 hours a night. I recommend you look up sleep training methods and find one that you’re comfortable with. Good luck, I hope you’re well rested soon!


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