My little girl is almost 2 and still breastfed and sleeping in our bed between us. Anyone got any ideas to help me try to get her off the feed and in her bed? She is off the day feeds, but still is on night "after bath" feeds... thanks
Whatever you do, I suggest that you don't do it at the same time. It is best to probably wean and then get her to her own bed, or the other way around. These 2 things are very hard for kids to get over, so it'll be a challenging time.
As far as getting your child to her own bed, it'll be best to go very gradually. We co-slept with our son for a long time and the transition to his own bed lasted from 18 months to 3 years old. But now it's working out perfectly.
start with the boob, my daughter gave up b feeding at nights because she started staying overnight with her dad at 14 months, this was somehting she liked and the first time she still fed when she came home, the second she left it a day or two before trying and the third she didnt care anymore and by the time she asked a few days later i just said "no more milk, it all went away" she was fine with this.
the bed thing.... MUCH harder lol i found sitting next to her the first night and holding her hand till she went to sleep helped, she still cryed and you ahve to be strong not to pick her up but just reasure her that you are there, the second night sit there but dont hold hands, third move your chair away from the bed and just talk to her quietly when she cries and then after that the door, the hall then go away. its a long process but it really worked for me.
I agree persistance and being consistant will be the key. My first was the same he easily gave up the day feeds, but wouldnt give up the night feeds until about 15 months when I decided it was enough. I dont think she needs a drink at that time of night its just a comfort thing, you also need to be careful of their teeth (decay) You just have to be tough, it will be hard for the first week but hopefully wont take longer than two weeks. My adive would be do the breast first and she may sleep through the night after that, makin it easy to place her in her own bed.
I would def. try one change at a time. If not it would be like world war 3 at your house andnoone would be happy...KWIM....
As far as weaning, I would substitue mabe some water or juice at that time. You could also try some warm milk in a cup or sippy cup. I think it's just gonna take some consitancy and time. If you are consitant over a time period she will realize that all she will get is the cup instead of the boob.
The bed thing would be the same. Just being consitant and she will realize that is her new place to sleep. I t hink breaking her of sleeping wtih you will be harder than getting her of the boob.
With the bed, I would make a night time ritual of it. You know, bath time, read a book maybe sing a song, then head to bed. Do it the same every night so she knows what to expect.
Firstly CONGRATS on feeding so long, you did a great job!!
You could try swapping boob for something else, a special teddy or blankie... and to get her to sleep in her own bed... persistance lol, make her bed fun and special for her and make it a good thing, you could do rewards for sleeping in her "big girl bed"
Yes, maybe i should just convert her room into a Dora the Explorer shrine and she may then think about it lol. Tried the teddy thing... just loves the boob. Thanks heaps for the advice... i will try the "big girl" bed thing. :)
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