[mocrit]

We have been co-sleeping with our second son, who is now 7 months old. He wakes up every half hour to two hours every night and has for his whole life. Our older son, who is 3 now (and comes to our family bed at some point in the middle of the night as well) wakes up at around 6:30 every morning and I am exhausted having not slept enough at night. As a teacher will soon have to leave the house at 7 am to go to work<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">. I am also very sensitive to my baby's movements/wakings and, although I nurse laying on my side in bed, I fully wake up and take a while to fall back asleep every time he wakes up to nurse. I want to make co-sleeping work for us and don't want to use the cry it out method and transition him to a crib full time. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to help a co-sleeping baby sleep for longer stretches so that I can function during the day? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[MLA]

I've not had much success w/anything myself, but we're probably going to start nightweaning my DS who's 10 months old right now. He's just like your LO -- up every 45 minutes to 2 hours (sometimes every 20 minutes) to nurse, and I'm losing my mind. I can't imagine doing it w/another child to take care of!<br><br>
That said, I know some people have had success w/The No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley. It didn't help me much back when I first started trying to use her techniques (at about 7 months), but I might give her methods another try.

 

[NicoleCS]

I hear your pain! DD2 did the same and from what I read on here, so do most co-sleepin - nursin babes. I think that's how it is. I didn't co-sleep with DD1 - though nursed her a full year - occassionally she would fall asleep with me in bed or wonder in during the night, but I would walk or carry her back to bed. She did sleep in our room at first, though I forget now when I moved her into her own suite<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">.<br><br>
From our experience with DD2, I suggest you make the move now, before DS gets much older and before you head back to work! I think we waited too long with DD2<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> - but the good news is she's now 1.5yo and sleeping through the night in her room. And let me tell ya, it feels amazing to sleep, plus cuddle with DH and it just be the two of us again!!! I am a better employee, mother and wife now!!!<br><br>
My suggestion is to continue or establish a night-time routine - nurse DS to sleep and lay him down in his crib. When he wakes either rock or nurse him (not in your bed though!!) and lay him back down in his crib. Attend to his cries - but always put him back in his crib. It's not going to be easy -it's plain exhausting - but seriously worth it!!!!<br><br>
Good Luck!

 

[Jessie123]

I could've written your post myself, word for word. I wish I had some advice, but I really don't. Just wanted you to know you are most definetely not alone!!

 

[summersmama]

my 14 month old would nurse ALL NIGHT if i let her. i stopped co-sleeping around 6 months. she still sleeps in our room though, and i let her come in the bed anytime after 5am. she is still right there and i can get some sleep that way.<br><br>
my experience was that she could sleep for longer stretches on her own after i gave her the chance, in her own bed.<br>
to this day though, if she's in our bed she wants to non-stop nurse.

 

[graciesmom08]

I dont have much to say that hasnt been said, however, I did night wean my DD and she did seem to sleep a little better after that. That of course until she began teething again. Again, just wanted to remind you that you are not alone. I work part time and get up at 5:30 am and I need my coffee to function. Good Luck!

 

[durafemina]

dd was waking about every 90 minutes to nurse around that age and didn't stop until I started getting Dp to put her to bed (ie not nursing to sleep). Then she started (mostly) sleeping through the night with one early morning nursing session. Made me feel so much more human! Now whether she is nursed to sleep or not she usually sleeps through the night.

 

[mocrit]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my post. All of your input has helped me a lot!