Comments on: Night-Weaned

By: Nicola

Nicola — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:40:51 +0000

I appreciate the comments everyone has made. It gives me hope. I’ve been struggling with the night weaning of my 18mth old son and the resulting physical exhaustion as well. It seemed that we had him down to 1 or 2 feedings a night during the summertime, then he got sick and it all went out the window. It is now October 31st and he is once again recovering from being sick and is now waking up as many as 5X a night. I am exhausted and struggling to not let frustration over take me. What has made it worse is, due to my son’s teething and the way he holds his jaw I’ve had mastitis about 5-6 times now. I have gotten so I know the signs that it is coming. I have been trying to night wean, however after prolonged crying (and comments from the landlord, who’s bedroom is directly above ours), I often end up giving in. What has helped is explaining to him to have a “gentle mouth” and not allowing him to continue nursing if he is clenching his jaw. I think if I did not have to worry about the landlord making comments everytime he cried, it would be easier. Anywayz, I could go on and on but I have to find the strength to get through this. I love sharing this time with my son, but I cannot allow him to continue nursing so many times a night.

By: aviva

aviva — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:25:25 +0000

Thank you for sharing this information. I am still struggling to night wean my 30 month old. She was never much of a sleeper even as in infant.

Over the last month we have acheived step 1. But I’ve been struggling with step 2, she cries when my husband tries to settle her down so like you I have taken to settle her down. My telling her nursing in the morning has been leading to tears as well. Any ideas on how to get through this would be much appreciated?

By: Tash

Tash — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:35:31 +0000

I plan to start tonight with my 24 month. He has been in his own bed for 2 months now and loves it, its just the part about falling asleep with out “ayah” that will be hard. I appreciate your sharing this info!

By: Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 02:29:46 +0000

Hi Amanda!

1. To comfort my daughter back to sleep, I first offered water as a substitute for nursing. Sometimes she simply was thirsty! I know I get thirsty in the night. Some people keep regular cups or sippy cups by the bed for this reason.

I also sang favorite songs. My first daughter loved any repetitive songs (B-I-N-G-O, Old MacDonald Had a Farm etc.) My second favored Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Plus I repeated the same key phrase, “It’s okay. Back to sleep.” Sometimes I’d make a “shh–shh-shh” noise — not to shush her crying, but just a noise to let her know I was there, it was okay. I didn’t want to engage so much with talking, just soothe her and get her back to sleep.

2. She would not cry long with me next to her — less than a minute for sure. If she cried any longer than that, I would nurse her. I’d take it as a sign she wasn’t ready (or she was sick, or teething, or too upset, and really did “need” to nurse — we could always start again another night).

3. We’ve had all sorts of bed configurations. Co-sleep, then mattress on the floor next to mommy and daddy’s bed, then she started the night off in her own bed (with me snuggling her to sleep but not staying with her) and me going to her in the night (at which point I would either settle her back to sleep and leave or just stay with her and sleep, depending on both our needs!)

Good luck! Come back and let me know what worked for you!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:58:01 +0000

What a great story, and so helpful and encouraging to me! A couple of questions for you: what did you use to comfort her back to sleep without nursing (just patting and soothing voice, I assume) ? Did she cry for long with you at her side when she woke at night? Do you share a bed with your daughter/husband or did you sleep separately and go to her when she woke up? Congratulations—-I can’t wait to try your methods with my 24 month old.

By: Emilie

Emilie — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 02:50:17 +0000

What an incredibly helpful discussion. My 21 month old son is going through some intense teething and, once he’s woken up at around 3:30 a.m. and my husband can’t get him back to sleep (as he’s already done that about 2 – 3 times between 7:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.), he comes into bed with us and pretty much nurses continuously until he’s wide awake at 5 a.m. Angela, your strategy is the first that I’ve encountered that seems logical and gentle at the same time. I was really getting quite sad at the thought that maybe this was it, and that I would have to try to wean Sean completely.

Thank you all for the discussion!

By: Musical Beds in the Attachment Parenting and Breastfeeding Family

Musical Beds in the Attachment Parenting and Breastfeeding Family — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:20:13 +0000

[...] our family, and we’re happy with it. (I’m a lot happier with it now that my toddler has night-weaned and sleeps a good 8-hour stretch without [...]

By: Sinead@BreastFeedingMums

Sinead@BreastFeedingMums — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:29:29 +0000

I’m having exactly the same trouble with my almost 2 year old! Believe it or not, over the last couple of weeks I have started introducing a soother which has worked remarkably well.

He always comes into our bed in the early hours and I have started saying no to night feeds and giving him a few sips of water from a sippy cup and then the soother. More often than not this works and he goes back to sleep. In fact, last night he only woke once for a feed.

To be honest I know he isn’t hungry as I give him two weetabix before bed and I think he wakes more out of habit and because it’s comforting to have a breastfeed. It got so exhausting for me that things just had to change…

For the teeth problem, try repositioning a few times. If your son is biting, stop each feed and tell him firmly no and he will soon get the message!

However, sometimes the pain can be caused by thrush so you may want to speak to your doctor. I know recently I was extremely sore on my right side during each feed and had to stop feeding from that side shortly after starting each feed. I expressed instead from that side and fed from the other for a few days which helped a lot!

I really hope this helps you. Know that you’re not alone and ask for more help if you need it.

By: bethany

bethany — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 03:36:02 +0000

i am having a difficult time with my 1 year old. i need to night wean cuz i am pooped but also because my nipples are going to fall off if i don’t. my sons top teeth are just killing me. i have used every cream in the world and breast milk, nothing is working. can someone, anyone give me some advice on night weaning a one year old. he just turned one june 12th and it seems like most of the stories i have read are all of older children. help help help if you can

By: Yemi

Yemi — Fri, 18 May 2007 03:21:34 +0000

I read this story and I was happy to hear that you were able to night wean but let me tell ya, I am now worried that my son who is 13 months will take another year before he night weans. 27 months? OH NO! No! Noooooo!