[Telle Bear]

Hello, I usually don't post in here (I'm a big no circ), but I'm looking for some advice. I have a six month old baby boy who co-sleeps, but has gotten in the habit of nursing to sleep at night and for naps. We have tried everything (even ferbur for 1 night

: ). We really want him to stay in our bed, but he needs to fall asleep on his own, because it's really draining me, especially to have to lay down during the day for his naps.
We have a great routine...we go for a 1/2 hour walk and then take a nice bath, and then nurse, and then we lay in bed and read books...as soon as he gets ready to sleep he starts fussing and trying to nurse again. Any suggestions?

 

[homemademomma]

i know you don't want to hear this, but i think just nursing him is the easiest thing to do!! i cant imagine anything taking the place of nursing at this age- and rest assured, he will grow out of it!!!
is there anything you can do to make it easier on yourself? like maybe have your dh do the rest of the bedtime routine while you relax, and then you go in just for the nursing part?

 

[Telle Bear]

You know what....I just wrote this and then started reading another thread on here about the no cry sleep solution...I'm going to try and get that book tomorrow. When you say he will outgrow it....approx. when? Just curious if this is a common stage. I know all kids are different...

 

[DreamsInDigital]

The No-Cry Sleep Solution has been a life saver for me with my 8 month old. Elizabeth Pantley has a pull-off method to get your baby back to sleep after only nursing for 10 seconds or so. After 2 nights of doing, my DS does not need to nurse to get back to sleep.

 

[alegna]

Nursing to sleep is natural and right. I would not try to do anything to change that at such a young age. It's not a "bad habit"

-Angela

 

[CrazyCatLady]

Mine stopped stopped needing to nurse to sleep by about 13 months. There were still needy nights and some needy days, but it got much better at that point. Six months is still really young, it's totally normal that he doesn't go to sleep on his own yet.

 

[BecBayGrayMad]

Me personally I think that at 6 month sold he is just doing his job. He is still really young and little. I did get the No Cry Sleep Solution and read it. For us it didn't work that well. But I also think that was a bit my fault and being a first time mom and being nervous in general with my first son!

 

[cryspanimal]

I think it's totally normal for him to nurse to sleep for naps and bedtime. I wouldn't do anything to try to change that in such a young baby.

 

[BecBayGrayMad]

Night time nursings are the last to "go" for a child. Are you thinking about weaning him already?

 

[MyZoeJane]

I guess I'm just going to post in every thread here...<bag on head>

My DD is 2.5 and STILL wont go to sleep without nursing.... Every month that creeps by I think, "I don't know how much more of this I have left in me!" But then another month goes by and we're still nursing and still co-sleeping and I just have to keep telling myself, "She wont go to Kindergarten with a boob in her mouth!"

 

[BecBayGrayMad]

Oh I feel ya! There were times when I was tandem nursing that I felt like I could never nurse again and I was done. It took lot of emotion from me. But I did love other moments! My 2.5 year old told me 2 weeks ago "Bye Bye MeMe" and has not asked for it since. It is still here if he wants and I have offered.....He is done and that breaks my heart!

 

[Sharlla]

I don't think babies that young should be going all night without nursing. My 15 month old even nurses a couple times a night and even DS1 who was FF (not by choice) still took a middle of the night bottle until he was about 10 months old.

 

[newbymom05]

Also 6 mo. is soooo big developmentally--for us if there is anything going on--learning a new skill, teething, even just an out of the ordinary day, it leads to more night nursing but then a few days later it changes again.

 

[wombatclay]

I thought the NCSS for Toddlers and Preschoolers was actually better than the original book (the one for infants)...but I have (and love) both!

I think night nursing a 6 month old is totally normal and okay, but if it's creating a problem in your home, then using the ideas in Pantley's book might "save the day" (or the night

). Her toddler book has a great chapter on night weaning while still keeping a happy family bed.

You might also work at creating some other sleep-associations for him...my dd nurses to sleep every night, but during the day while I'm at work my mother puts her down for naps (by walking with her, holding her and bouncing on an exercise ball, and humming to her). And my dh can put her down for naps by driving her around, holding her while he walks/dances slowly to music, or rubs her back. So maybe if you can find another way to get your babe to sleep for naps the night nursing wont wear you out?

Also for naps, maybe nurse him in a sling or front carrier? Then he could still fall asleep while nursing but you wouldn't have to lay down or stop what you were doing (well, as long as it wasn't vacuuming I suppose!) since it sounds like really it's the nap time that is bugging you?

Good luck!

 

[~Megan~]

I think you should find other ways to recharge. Nursing to sleep is really normal at that age. Our milk has properties in it that make one sleepy, its comforting and warm, etc.

 

[Telle Bear]

And today it all makes sense!! We have two teeth!!
I went a looked at the book, but didn't buy it (the book store didn't carry an anti-circ book I wanted, so I refused to give them business). I feel so much better to hear everyone say it's normal. I think that the presure of "your spoiling him" just got to me. To answer someone's question.. no I don't want to wean him, but I was thinking that he could nurse and then read some books and then fall asleep. Thanks for all the help....I'm sure I'll be back

 

[Galatea]

Yeah, they go through these stages where you spend all day and night in that damned bed nursing that baby to sleep, and you get so frustrated you want to scream! Believe me, I know. But then something changes and it stops for awhile. Must be developmental. Hugs to you, I just went through a month of this. If you want, and your dh is cooperative, you could try to start a new routine of nursing the baby a lot, and then giving him to dh to put to sleep. That would be nice.

 

[Kira's mom]

I believe that at 6 mos babies NEED to nurse throughout the night or at least to sleep. Remember bm digests in 90 minutes and babies need alot of nourishment. Of course I am still nursing my dd to sleep at almost 3 1/2 yrs old.It is great, but I can't say that many a time I wish it weren't the case.As babies get older they drain the breast quicker and quicker and will fall asleep much easier. 6 months is very young to try to teach a child to fall asleep without nursing. maybe a little further down the road...? Just keep reminding yourself of the wonderful thing you are doing for your child. good luck!