16 months old sleeps on breast wakes up a lot

[Selina5]

Hi, I am still breastfeeding but my daughter can not sleep on her own. She sleeps while nursing and still wakes up quite a lot. How can I wean her night feeds? When my husband tries to put her sleep she cries a lot as she can not put her to sleep without nursing. I don't know where to start from? Any idea? Please help...

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

At her age I think any change of an ingrained habit will result in protest crying...how is her receptive language? Would she understand you telling her there is no more milk at night time? (Of course that would mean either having dh settle her or staying firm in not feeding her to sleep). Does she have any lovey for bedtime?

[*Ali*]

I would probably teach her to go to sleep independently in the day using gradual withdrawal.
Check out this link. Walk In/Walk Out vs. The Gradual Withdrawal Method (HOW TO CHOOSE)

I'm going to move this to Sleeping For Toddlers board as it's more a sleep issue than a feeding one.

[Selina5]

Hi there...thank you for your replies. When I say there is no milk, she understands but starts crying. I also need to move her into her own room to as she sleeps with us...I couldn't move her until now as she has never slept through the night.

She has no bed time friends ( did you mean that by asking for lovey?). I tried some toys but she wasn't interested in...

What would be the good plan to make her sleep in her room through the night without nursing 

[*Ali*]

Did you read the GW link?
I would probably do as it says in there and then just sit next to her rubbing her back or head and comforting her with your voice until she falls asleep. You can explain before hand that there will be no more milk at sleepy time as mummy's boobies need to sleep. That is what I told mine when we weaned NFs at 12.5 and 15mo. Yes they cried but they understood and eventually accepted it.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Yup that is what I meant by lovey...I slept with DD3's for a few nights before giving it to her!

[Selina5]

Thank you, I will start doing some changes...
we are also co sleeping...should I sort out nursing first and then try to move her into other room and into her cot?
Should I stop nursing her during nap time also?
I red the link thank you. co sleeping and nap nursing were making me a bit confused...
She is also teething at the moment. Is this a good time to start? Seems like she is always teething though...

[*Ali*]

If you think she is suffering from the teeth then I would give  pain meds half hour before sleep time.

I would probably move her to her cot and be prepared to spend some time on a mattress in her room until she feels more comfortable there. I think you will find it difficult to  stop nursing at night if you are still co-sleeping. Chances are you might only half wake and she is helped herself to the breast before you even realise it. It is up to you though.

[Selina5]

Thank you very much for your all help..I know it will be very difficult to stop nursing and co sleeping at the same time...I might make changes on one first...

One last question I put her into her cot (her cot is in our room) after she sleeps but she wakes up, stands up and cries...I pick her up and bring her into our bed. I think because She is used to be in our bed ( she was in her cot until 10 months old but also I left her crying in her cot twice before as I couldn't handle her on my own after many sleepless nights. Would you have any recommendation to make her like her cot and perhaps  her room? I will defiantly stay with her in the room..

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Personally I would do it all at once and I second Ali's mattress for you on the floor suggestion - esp if she has been left to CIO I think someone needs to be in there with her for as long as it takes her to feel comfy. Can she get back down from standing? When mine were that age I would sit by the crib and either help them lay down or pat the mattress and repeat whatever phrase I had chosen to use (ie sleepy time, lay down) instead of picking them up (unless they were really upset of course!).

[Selina5]

I think it will be extremely difficult to get her to sit down, lie down or calm once she puts her mind to trying to get out for her milk which gets delirious for..... 

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Would she take some water from a sippy at all? I have never btdt really, but I think if you are firm in your resolve not to feed her at night (if that is what you choose to do) then she will get it eventually.

[Selina5]

Hi, yes she does take water but she can not put her to sleep by water she has very high temperature since wed. so couldn't start yet...I am a bit nerves about it...

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Aww hope she is feeling better soon!

[*Ali*]

Oh yes definitely better to wait if she has a fever. I hope she recovers soon.