I went to a sleep program for my daughter back in March. She would only sleep when sucking on me if I took her off she would wake so she had to have my boob in her mouth all night! Any way the program sortered that. One and a bit more months on she goes to sleep only when I rock her when I put her down she wakes up 10 mins later so I do it all again for her to wake again. To I give up and put her in bed and she is out to her feed time. I'm a single mum so this is exhausting! This happens during the day as well so she doesn't get her day naps maybe 20 mins all day. So she is quiet moody. I just can't win Night time is my only me time. She is 5 and a half months. Any advice on what to do?
3 Replies
Try putting a few of your shirts you've worn in her cot or get her a comforter toy and put it in your shirt for a day see how you go
Your 'smell' may comfort her :)
Have a google of wonder weeks I think it is I found some really helpful stuff tips from that.
Did the sleep program not give you methods of putting your baby to sleep without needing to be rocked? Maybe a change in routine so she learns to go to sleep by herself instead of in your arms. With our little one (she's 1 now but this was our routine from a couple of months old) she has her last feed, is put in her sleeping bag, kisses goodnight, nightlight turned on and then put her into bed with her bunny and the musical bear going. Now we just leave the room but when she was little I would often sit in a chair next to the cot. If she cried just putting a hand on her so she knew she wasn't alone would settle her
Your child has been given the choice of comfort breastfeeding with breastfeeding feeds. Your boobies are her passifier to sleep. She didn't know any different until you chose to make this decision. Unfortunately you can utilize the tools the other i'ms have given you. But I want to be honest. Consistency every feed put her into cot same routine everytime. Best advice is let your child cry herself to sleep. Sounds harsh. Did this with my child one full week of sobbing and screaming then it stopped. My child knew the routine and it didn't matter the length she went to, the actions of myself got her nowhere. Was a happy baby after a week slept better was just 100% better. Hardest part is sticking it out and showing no response.