Anyone else an all night paci??

[kdescalzi]

Hi mamas,

Just wondering if you would still considered it normal to have a 13mo attached to your boob all night long. I have been her all night paci her whole life. Now, I am getting worried that she is abnormal. Everyone I talk to says she should be able to come off the nipple at least part of the night. They look at me like I am crazy or she is weird. I cannot even get out of bed to pee most nights. I know I need to change something eventually, but right now I am still ok with it. Don't get me wrong, I hate that I can only sleep on my side and I hate that I do not get any freedom once she is ready for bed but I am still trucking along. Just wanted to know if this seems normal or if there are any other mamas in my position.

[Beauchamp]

I *was* in your position. But I have a bad back, and I just couldn't stay on my side all night. It HURT and I started having major problems. I held out as long as I could, but then started doing the "Pantley Pull Off" gentle removal method. Gradually, getting shorter and shorter each time. (Sloooooowly, over the course of a few weeks.) I was able to unlatch her gently after 5 minutes of nursing. It got to the point where DD would unlatch herself at the 5 minute mark if I didn't, sometimes sooner. She'd just roll over and go back to sleep. (Not for LONG, mind you, but to sleep, at least.)

Now we are getting molars AND canines, so sometimes I go a bit longer, but not usually longer than 10 minutes before I unlatch her. It helped me to get some distance from her. I would creep slowly away from her and sleep on my other side (hide the milk!)

No, I don't think your DD is weird or abnormal. It's just what works for you and her right now. If you want to change it, try the Pantley Gentle Removal. If your setup works for you, keep doing it. Don't let other people tell you what you should be doing. They're not in your bed!

[Shanny2032]

I FEEL like an all night paci but after reading your thread maybe we aren't quite as dependent. I took away the real paci at 9 mos and now at 19 months I have worked very hard to NOT be anymore. It has been very slow and gradual but my shoulders ARE bad (mostly from carrying these GIANT milk jugs my whole life) so I get very sore at night. Around 9 months I started saying "OK Pop Pop (nickname)" and she would unlatch roll over and go to sleep. It isn't always that easy and there have certainly been times where we start over because she gets upset and there have been times where I have to put my finger in her mouth to unlatch her and times where I have to say OFF over and over...and she still nurses frequently. My point is that you may want to start now with a key phrase and patient, consistent efforts. That way, in say 6-10 months when you think enough is enough you have laid some good ground work to help your child unlatch at a reasonable time frame and sleep without teh breast in their moouth.

[kdescalzi]

Thank you for the helpful replies. I will start with a key phrase to get her used to the idea of no more milkies. I think it is a great idea to start now...I would love some me time in the night!

Anyone else out there have any comments or suggestions?? TIA