Night Weaning Help

[MamaOnTheGo]

Have any of you mamas successfully weaned at night, but continued during the day?  I LOVE nursing my daughter, but she's almost 18 months and still wakes up at least 4-8 times a night to nurse. We co-sleep, and don't have the space to do otherwise (and I love sleeping with her).

I made the (I think) mistake of cutting back on nursing during the day about two months ago, in an effort to get her to eat more real food.  Now we nurse before/after naps and before/during/after night time sleep.  She still doesn't eat very much food, and both the pediatrician and the dentist have been telling me for months that I really need to night wean for the sake of her teeth.  That doesn't bother me as much as the lack of sleep... it's just starting to take it's toll, and it seems like since we've cut back on day time nursing, she's become much more desperate for "ninny" at night. I've thought about adding in more day time nursing, but that seems confusing if we're also going to stop nighttime nursing, and on top of it all she's going to start day care in a few months... I'm feeling very at a loss as far as what to do. I NEED SLEEP, but I don't want to traumatize her or be unfair.  Any stories, tips, or thoughts are much appreciated!

[lostchick]

Hey there.  I just recently night weaned my 16 month old (it's only been 1 week!) and knock on wood, it was soooooo much easier than I thought it would be!  We continue to have an open buffet of nursing throughout the day. He nurses before naps and before bed.  I was so nervous.  It took me 3 months to get up a enough courage to actually give it a go, but now, I'm so glad that we did.  The first night, he woke 3 times.  I told him "no nursey at night, shhhhh, patted his back and he was asleep within 3 minutes!  Every once in a while he will wake for 30 minutes or more, but I just stay firm, pat his back, and say "shhhhh.  no nursey.  It's night night time" or something to that affect.  We co-sleep and my husband is now able to help too which is awesome.  2 nights ago, he slept from 7:45-5:15 without waking at all!  It was the first time ever and we are thrilled!  I think you just have to stay consistent and be there for them in some other way other than nursing and they will eventually get the picture that night is for sleeping, not nursing.  Of course, all little ones are different so of course, it may be different for you all, but you never know until you try.  I must say that I have really been pleasantly surprised by the whole experience.  I also think that he was ready and I KNOW that I was! :)   good luck to you and your little one!