Only answers from co-sleeping (or previously co-sleeping) breastfeeding mums please

Question

My son is 9 months old and this is his sleeping pattern now. He has a nap about 9.30 in the morn for 1-2 hrs on my lap. Then another nap for 1-2 hrs anytime between 2.30 and 3.30 on my lap again. At night he has a bath and then we both sit down while he breastfeeds to sleep, I sit with him til about 11 when I will lay him down on a mattress in the living room while I go get ready for bed. He usually stays asleep there and I will then pick him up and take him to bed with me. Recently though he has been constantly attached to my boob throughout the night, for comfort I think. He wakes so easily too, like when you shut the door.

Could anyone tell me how they got their baby to sleep on their own, wot is your nightime routine? I dont mind co-sleeping but its got to the point where my night is taken up by sitting on the sofa with him all night and me and my partner never get any special time together.

I am totally against crying it out. He doesnt wimper either, he SCREAMS! He has been very high needs from day 1. Thanks for listening x

Answer 1

When we need special time (as spouses do), we wait for baby to get drowsy and put him in a mechanical cradle swing. He gets lulled by the motion and passes out. If he wakes up early, the lights and sounds and mobile entertain him for the time being until we're finished making love or cuddling or whatever in the other room. Then I come get baby and we all go to sleep as a family, nursing on and off through the night without getting up.

Pretty much, I only use the swing for these kind of circumstances and when I need to do something dangerous like get something out of the oven or change cat litter. Otherwise, he's on my body.

Do you nurse on the sofa? It seems like you could do it in bed to keep from getting up.

Answer 2

d**n...i just responded with a really long detailed answer....and stupid Answers stuffed up!

Answer 3

The only way for me was to stop nursing before switching them to their own bed.  It was hard, but she got used to having cuddles instead of booby.  I didn't wean her off until 16 months either.  She slept with us until 17 months and in the middle of the night still sneaks into our bed for cuddles.  Daddy leaves at 5:30 am so we usually sleep together the last two hours of our sleep.

Answer 4

I have a ten month old daughter, that nurses and co sleeps.

I nurse her to sleep around 9, most of the time, and she sleeps in her play pen until I am ready to go to bed and then she sleeps with me.  Most of the time, I can transfer her from play pen to bed without waking her up, and if she does wake up she quickly goes back to sleep.

During the day, when she nurses and falls asleep I wait until she is deep asleep and transfer her to the play pen.  I do NOT hold her during her naps-that must be extremely difficult for you, because I imagine I would not get anything accomplished.

Nursing is not only a source of nourishment for babies, but a source of comfort.  Perhaps he is teething or has a cold, and nursing is making him feel better?  Try keeping him near you, but entertained otherwise...start out doing it for just a few minutes and then increase as he allows.  I put music on for my daughter and it keeps her happy-whether it is classical or children's.  I also do silly things that entertain her but she is not in my arms and/or nursing...such as the hokey pokey.

Also, as for his waking easily-have you always kept things very quiet when he is asleep?  That might be the cause.  Start with a bit of noise when he sleeps, such as a noise machine or soft music.  Normal household noise should NOT startle him awake.  My daughter has two older siblings and she sleeps through a lot (thankfully!).

Perhaps if you feed him just before his nap and bedtime, and then nurse him he will sleep better.  I hope that this helps, and that you find something that works for you!