Getting baby to nap without nursing

Stacey - posted on 09/12/2009 ( 4 moms have responded )

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Okay, so here's the situation. My 8 month old is cared for by family during the day while I work (a combination of my sister, who has 3 of her own kids, my mom and my mother in law). I love my job and wouldn't give it up unless there was a darn good reason. So, my baby has gotten to the point where he won't take a pacifier anymore, and only wants to nurse to sleep. I don't mind nursing him to sleep at bedtime since we cosleep, but during the day it makes it awfully hard for others to get him down for a nap without a bottle. I'm fine with this for now, but I plan on extended breastfeeding (beyond a year) and I'm afraid that this will create a bad habit when he stops taking a bottle and only nurses. How will they be able to put him down for a nap without me?? My sister has gone through this same thing and she was lucky enough to be able to go to her child in the middle of the day and nurse him down for a nap (between 1 and 2 1/2 years old). I don't want to be tied down like that since work is not exactly that close to where he stays during the day. Has anyone ever successfully gotten their baby to go down for a nap without breastfeeding, and still nursed to sleep and coslept at night?

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4 Comments

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Stacey - posted on 09/12/2009

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yes, I've tried rocking him. He fought it this afternoon like crazy and finally I gave in and nursed him. I have several different pacis, but they're all the same kind. I think he's just old enough that he realizes that nursing is better :)

Alicia - posted on 09/12/2009

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Have you tried rocking him or changing pacifiers?



Stacey - posted on 09/12/2009

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oh I actually have that book. I'll pull it out and look at it again.

Erynne - posted on 09/12/2009

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I recommend "The No-Cry Sleep Solution." It'll definitely help you have some options to get your baby into a nap routine that doesn't involve laying them down and letting them cry until they're so exhausted they just fall asleep.



- E