One year old daughter wont fall asleep without nursing..Help!

Quyen - posted on 11/16/2010

p.s. if your are heading back to work, have you tried expressing? then she can have your milk in a bottle or cup if she doesn't like the bottle...just a few ideas..

Quyen - posted on 11/16/2010

Hi Amanda,
my 17month old is still nursing to sleep :-) I thought about trying to "wean" her off nursing to sleep but there was so much cafufal so I''m just going with the flow now. She will tell me when she's ready. But if you're looking to wean, this is a good website wo check out. they have fabulous advice http://www.askdrsears.com/

oh...and I'm not a big fan of people who say you "have to stop breastfeeding"!!! you do what feels best for you. I'm planning on breastfeeding until at least 2 years old and then we'll play it by ear...you'll find that your baby will let you know when she's ready to let go :-)

Good luck

Alison - posted on 11/16/2010

If you want to keep nursing mornings and nights you totally can. She will eventually learn to get to sleep without any props.

When you are ready to wean I would stick a paci in her mouth (no rocks please!). Once she is 3 years old she should be able to sooth without sucking no problem.

p.s. have you ever had a night out?

Amanda - posted on 11/16/2010

Yeah. I think thats what Ill do. A lot of people have been trying to put pressure on me to stop nursing but Im not ready to give it up yet and I dont think my daughter is either. I guess everyone else will just have to get over it. Its just a little hard sometimes when Im the only one that can get her to sleep because shes wanting to nurse. She wont even fall asleep in the car because of it. And she wont take a bottle or sippy cup. But hopefully now that shes a little older she'll get over that.

Jennifer - posted on 11/15/2010

yes, that was going to be my other suggestion, and i forgot to add it! at 12 months, as long as you get 3 feedings in a 24 hour period, there is no need for cow's milk at all. keep in mind that nursing a toddler isn't the same as nursing a baby...as they get older, they usually only need it to help them fall asleep, and if they fall down and get hurt or something. many moms have no problems going back to work when babe turns 1, and just nursing when together.

Amanda - posted on 11/15/2010

Yeah..A lot of people told me to keep breast feeding, Ive been thinking about it but if I go to work it would be really hard to do. I was thinking about giving her regular milk throughout the day and then in the mornings and at night still breast feeding.

Jennifer - posted on 11/15/2010

have you thought about continuing breastfeeding? the world health organization recommends breastfeeding until at least the age of 2, and continued breastfeeding past that as long as mutually desired. i'm only asking because i know a lot of moms assume that once baby turns 1 year that it is time to wean but that isn't the case. there are tons of benefits to nursing past infancy for both of you.

if you aren't comfortable with natural duration nursing/self weaning, it would still be advantageous to continue on longer to allow for a more gentle weaning process. as she gets older, you'll be able to reason with her to gradually cut out feedings. the night feedings are always the last to go because most children are most attached to those feedings.

here are some links for more information...
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb...
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb...
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/to...

good luck, and congrats on making it this long! :)