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Co-Sleeping and On Demand Breastfeeding mom needs some help....

Jennifer - posted on 03/22/2010 ( 2 moms have responded )

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I have been cosleeping with my son since he was 4 months old due to nonstop illiness. He is also breast feed. Anyone else cosleep and breastfeed their children? I don't know how to get him off of feeding at night...I try to snuggle him back to sleep but he fights to breast feed and because I'm so tired of being a mom to two active boys and working part time...I just cave in. Help!!! I know I need to stop feeding him at night and really get him out of bed...but I have never been a type of mom that lets them cry it out. Any suggestions?

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Nicole - posted on 03/22/2010

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he will stop night nursing when he is ready. that's all I've got as we are doing baby led weaning. My baby has finally cut back the number of times she nurses per night- she is seventeen months. it used to be near constant nursing all night but now she only nurses about 2x/night. You should take a look at the No Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley if you are really hard up for rest. It is a great read (though I have yet to implement it)- it deals with your exact scenario. I know a lot of people who have had great success with it.

Allison - posted on 03/22/2010

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Do you WANT to get him out of your bed and nightwean or do you think you SHOULD?



I've co-slept with all 3 kids and nursed during the night. I found we all got more sleep when I could latch baby on before they completely woke up. I nightweaned my daughter at 19 months, and she was *still* up every two hours...but then I had to rock her or rub her back instead of latching her on and going back to sleep. I did not nightwean my son and he stopped nursing at night at 20 months - when his 2 year molars came in.



WRT co-sleeping: my daughter chose to leave our bed at age 2 and my son was not yet 3. So I don't really see it as a "you'll never get them out of your bed" thing. It'll happen.



Keep in mind sleep is disrupted a lot by so many things in the first 2 years: illnesses, teething, growth spurts, developmental milestones, and separation anxiety. I personally believe that supporting sleep for the first couple years is more beneficial in the long run than "teaching" your kids to sleep all night. Plus, nursing at night is very good for your supply and, if you're working, allows him to both reconnect with you and get more milk (possibly even reverse-cycle). I worked full-time after my oldest was born and I totally cherished that time with her, even though we were often asleep.



I'm sure someone will be along to give you suggestions on how to get him out of your bed if that's what you'd like to do. I've always just let it happen on its own, so I can't help. But if you do choose to continue to co-sleep, know that lots of people do and it's a valid, acceptable choice.

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