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| First Time Moms |
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| Anyone have any recommendations on how to GENTLY break my 6 month old daughter of the habit of nursing to sleep. I’m not willing to let her ‘cry it out’. Is there a gentle way to do this? I’ve been trying to introduce a ‘focus’ object that will become her security blanket but nothing is keeping her attention. She doesn’t use a binky or bottle… Any suggestions? |
| Posted by Christina on 08/05/2007 09:11 PM
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| If you find something that works. please let me know! I would love to break my son's habit of this, but I haven't had much luck either. When he gets tired, he'll start rubbing his eyes and I know it's time to start his nightly routine. There has been a couple of times I was able to lay him in his crib right after he rubbed his eyes and even though he was still awake, he fell to sleep soon after. But I really haven't been able to repeat that. |
| posted by Jaxon on 08/05/2007 09:18 PM
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It is so funny that you should write about this. I was just nursing my 8 month old to sleep, thinking "boy, I really ought to figure out a way to break this habit!" Then I went to my computer and saw your post! My latest opinion is that he will outgrow it. I get self-conscious when I read all the baby books telling me what a bad mom I am for continuing this, but honestly, I don't care anymore what they say! On a more constructive note, my pacifier-hating son will on occasion take it in place of my nursing, and that is how I can finally sneak out of his room.
For the record, we have only occasionally let him cry himself to sleep. It usually takes forever if it works at al!
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| posted by Jade on 08/05/2007 10:15 PM
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Hi Ladies,
I don't think any of you are bad moms for nursing your babies to sleep. It may be a security thing for them. Emilie is almost a year old and I rock her and let her have her pacifier. Her father thinks I should let her cry it out, but I just dont agree with that. I want to enjoy holding her as long as she will let me. |
| posted by on 08/05/2007 10:50 PM
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People think I am nuts, but I let my daughter cry it out. It took 3 days and it has never been a problem since. She lays down now and asleep in 3 minutes, she also does not cry for me at night any more. If she wakes she puts herself back to sleep. It has made my life better. I cried for those three days though while I sat on the floor outside her room going in every so often to reassure her. She is 20 months old now, and we have an occasional relapse and I go right back to Richard Ferbers method. My munckin chipped her front tooth at 10 months when she started walking really well, and the dentist said no milk at night, and that I must brush her teeth, or she will loose it early. So I could no longer use the bottle. I figured now was a good a time as any!!!!
If I have learned one thing it is that you must follow your heart and do what you think is best do not listen to any one!!! Mommy knows best. |
| posted by Vanessa on 08/05/2007 11:55 PM
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| What if you nurse her and then changer her diaper? When you change her, she'll wake up. After you change her put her down in the crib. She'll be very sleepy and may just pass out again. If she cries, try to soothe her w/o picking her up. Of course if that doesn't work, pick her up and calm her down. Then wait until she's almost sleeping again and put her back down. As she adjusts, try to put her down when she's less sleepy until it works for you. This will take some time but all methods take time. This way shouldn't upset either of you too much. Good luck. (I'm interested in what helps you) |
| posted by Jenn on 08/06/2007 08:04 AM
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I agree that no one should let the books make them feel like a bad mom. It is hard, but have faith in yourself that you are doing the best for your child.
You could nurse her until she is almost asleep, and try laying her down while she is still awake. Stay with her and comfort her if she needs it until she falls asleep. Continue doing this until she is able to fall asleep in her crib, then gradually stop nursing sooner. Eventually it will get easier and she will go to sleep on her own. For a security object try sleeping with it in your bed for a night, so it smells like you. That may help her attach to it.
Don't let anyone tell you that you "should" let her cry it out. It works for some people, but not all. If you are not comfortable with it you shouldn't do it. |
| posted by Marcia on 08/06/2007 09:37 AM
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It sounds like there are a lot of mom going throught the same thing but without a lot of answers so I've continued my search and here is what I found:
http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/comfortnursing.html |
| posted by Christina on 08/06/2007 11:26 AM
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| The same thing happened with my daughter who is now 11 months old, and unfortunately completely weaned from the breast. She was nursed to sleep every night, but around 8 months I started wanting to put her asleep another way. I can tell you that after I would nurse her I decided to change her diaper and then read her a short story. I would lay her down and she fell asleep easily. It took a little while to get the routine (about a week or so), but now that's how we do it and I haven't had any problems (knock on wood!) It may seem like you won't be able to be your child asleep without nursing, but eventually it will happen on it's own because they are growing and changing and so will their needs. Give it time and try small steps first. Good luck! |
| posted by Jodi on 08/06/2007 01:04 PM
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| why do you want to break your daughter of nursing to sleep? Is that a bad thing? My daughter is 6 months too and that is how she falls asleep. It works and I love the bond at night. I sometimes think that it would be nice just to put her down, but this moment isn't going to last forever and I want to enjoy the bond as long as I can! So my advice for you is to keep doing it...before you know it she will be all grown up. |
| posted by shannon on 08/11/2007 11:33 PM
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