Please help - 11 month old suckling all night

[happyholly]

My beautiful (almost) 11 month old has recently been wanting to suckle all night. For awhile, I was okay with this. For the last several months, he has been waking about 4-5 times a night to suckle briefly and then falling right back to sleep. Recently, though he wants to suck for a LOT longer. I am no longer able to fall asleep while he is sucking. I think due to his weight and the fact that I can feel his teeth on my nipple. The past two nights I lost my patience. I feel so guilty. We put him the car and went for a drive. I just needed a break from being a human pacifier. I cant stop feeling guilty. But in the middle of the night when this is going on, I start to feel irrational and want to start weaning. I feel like I need encouragement but also some advice. Thank you, Holly

[Asiago]

Hang in there, more than likely this is just a temproary change. For whatever reason, and there are so many, he needs you (and your breast) more now than ever apparently. You can do it, some times nursing is easier than other times, but overall it is all worth it 

[mandrews18]

This is exactly why I am here.  My daughter is 9 months old and doing the same thing.  Except we have been dealing with it for WEEKS!  And last night I had a meltdown to my husband.  I am soooo tired.  I love her and l love nursing her but its wearing me down.  But mommas milk is the best milk.  I was heartbroken when my DS weaned himself at 8 months and I am determined to nurse her the first year.  You can do it too!!! 

But I'd love any advice anyone here has to offer on getting these wee little ones to sleep just a little bit more! 

[homemademom]

Night-weaning might be the light at the end of the tunnel if you can hold out for a little longer. Dr. Jay Gordon has a method that worked for me with my older kids. Here's a link to what he recommends: http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html He doesn't recommend it for babies younger than 12 mths, though, so hang tight!  And good luck :)

I wanted to add that this plan worked for me when I knew my baby (well, mine were between 18 mths and 2 when we did this) was getting plenty to eat during the day. That meant, LOTS of nursing and good meals. I also offered water at wake up times during the night.  All to say that your baby is still young and the suckling might be because he's trying to get the extra calories.  Can you offer more breastmilk and food during the day?