Breastfeeding -weaning from cosleeping

[dmbincp03]

I am breastfeeding my 6 month old and co sleeping. I get all the comments about how she is not in her crib yet. I do want her to sleep in her crib - I am not successful with putting her in her crib at night time. She eventually crys and than works herself up that I can't possibly see the point of leaving her there to cry. I get all the comments - you are going to have to just let her cry ....

I wonder sometimes if it is harder to wean a breastfeeding baby from co sleeping ... would it be easier had I given her formula? She has always refused a pacifier - so I think part of it is that she has nothing to suck/ soothe.

Just wondering if any one has success stories about getting the baby to sleep in their crib at night after cosleeping and breast feeding. If so what did you do?

Looking for some words of wisdom advice. TIA.

[possum]

Six months is still very young. I'm over 30 and still don't like to sleep alone!
I would follow my own instincts about what was right for my baby rather than letting all the questions and disapproval of other folks get to me. IMO sleeping alone is not normal for anyone much less a tiny baby. In many parts of the world and for most of human history, a baby sleeping alone would have been unheard of. Current cultural expectations are not necessarily good or safe; they are just pervasive.
Melinda

[PatioGardener]

Why do you want her to sleep in her crib? Babies wake to nurse at night often to a year and beyond. To me co-sleeping makes it so much easier on baby and Mama!!!

[ewe+lamb]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

Why do you want her to sleep in her crib? Babies wake to nurse at night often to a year and beyond. To me co-sleeping makes it so much easier on baby and Mama!!!

Oh yeah - to this, learning to sleep while nursing was the biggest thing for me - otherwise I'd be a walking zombie!! Why are people so keen to find out your sleeping arrangements and get you to stop doing what seems to be working for you, I'd try not to give out so much information? The questions eventually stop, let yourself have more confidence about what you are doing as a parent, and trust your baby, she is a very wise little thing, she knows that having her mama there for her is much better than some piece of plastic popped into her mouth, with you there keeping her safe and warm she's a much happier baby I'll bet! Sounds to me as if you are doing a great job!!

[JayJay]

Ah geez, I'm with the rest: I LOOOoooove cosleeping! My daughter is only a month old but wow, it's so much easier. And then you have that lovely baby breathing sound (sweet little lungs!) and that peaceful face, and those cute and interesting noises they make in their sleep...

I find her breathing is more regular and peaceful when she's next to me, than laying in her crib, which I did try when we first got her home. I just felt like I could protect her more and breastfeed on demand before she got to the crying stage. I can't imagine being so little and being all on my own! I don't even like sleeping alone now, let alone at such a young age!

And honestly I think the whole "cry it out" thing is...well it's awful really, isn't it? Imagine crying alone in your bed at night, desperately trying to get someone to pay attention to your needs and having your crying, and them, sternly ignore you? Isn't that heartbreaking? Babies cry to express a need and personally I'd feel terrible deliberately ignoring that and assuming the baby is stupid and needs to "learn" or something...

Just tell the nay-sayers to go read some modern, intelligent baby books and studies, and then come back to you with some real opinions! I'd suggest the Dr Sears Baby Book for starters.

You're not doing anything wrong, mama! Xxx

[jecombs]

Some babies and children just do not like to sleep alone! There's nothing wrong with co-sleeping if it is working for you and your family. I don't know how I would have survived my DD's infancy without co-sleeping. Especially after I went back to work, all she wanted to do was nurse all night long!

Don't worry, they do eventually outgrow it. My DD is now 2.5 and she starts every night in her own bed. She goes to bed around 8:30 PM and usually wakes up and comes to the "big bed" between 1:30 AM and 3:30 AM. Then sleeps the rest of the night with DH and I. And we really didn't "do" anything to make it happen, we just waited for her grow more mature in her sleep patterns and habits.

[hollytheteacher]

Your baby is SO young! Don't worry about other people's comments! Follow your own instincts. My "baby" is 29 months is just now starting to fall asleep in the bed in his room for the first part of the night and then coming in to join DH and I at some point in the night and I miss him so much during that first part of the night and i'm always more nervous and aware (while sleeping). I sleep much better with him right beside me!