20 months, NWs, EWs, BF to sleep....where to start???

[zaysmum]

Hi everyone,

I'm at a loss as to where to start with DD.

Typical day is as follows:

EW - sometime between 4-5:30 am usually (if I BF she will go back to sleep until 7am)
Nap - 12:30-2:30/3:00
Bed - 8:30ish

She will always wake once during the night at which point I BF in order to get her back to sleep. If I do not BF she will cry/scream for up to an hour while DH goes in and out to comfort her.

She also BFs to sleep - which I don't really mind doing but I don't know if this is just creating a problem for the NWs when she expects to BF?

Our daily routine can't really be modified - she is at daycare and their nap is scheduled from 12:30-2:30.  I have tried for early BT but it is difficult to move it any earlier.

Where do I start??

Thanks in advance.

[Haribo2012]

Hi, I'm guessing the BF is a prop and you will need to perhaps work on that?

Does she ever settle without a feed? x

[zaysmum]

She always has her afternoon nap without BF. 

[Martini~]

But night is a different story Honey. She is probably used to having a comfort cuddle it's her mum in the middle of the night. I would definitely stop that. On the other hand - have you tried BF at 4/5am to stop EWU? It's not a great solution but for breaking a habit it could work.

Is nursery open to cap the nap?

[Kellyjs]

ITA with Zoe and Marta. There does seem to be a prop in there somewhere as 20mo really don't need the extra nutrition compared to younger LO's. She's probably using it to get her extra mummy time in. 

I would work on the BF to sleep at BT. Maybe start BT routine a little earlier or change it up? Maybe BF before bath? Ideally too, she should have her teeth brushed before BT. Do you think that's doable? I've recently changed up DD's routine that's she's had since birth (kind of) and she didn't bat an eyelid! There's me thinking it would all go to hell, but nope, all fine! 

[zaysmum]

For the last 3 days I have stopped BF during the NW.  DH has gone into her room to settle her and she screams/cries for about an hour before finally going back to sleep.  DH goes into her room every 5 min to comfort her until she falls asleep.

I can try eliminating the BF at BT.

[Kellyjs]

You don't have to eliminate it fully hun if you still want to continue.. We'd never suggest that 

I just meant if you could try and bf her a little earlier so that she's not so tired that she falls asleep whilst you're doing it? Wdyt? X

[Martini~]

DH goes into her room every 5 min to comfort her until she falls asleep.

That sounds a bit like controlled crying Honey. Have you/your DH thought of staying with her but limit the contact? Moving BF slightly earlier before BT should also help her not to connect settling with eating and that may help during night.

[zaysmum]

After about three nights of DH tending to her when she woke during the night, the NW's and EW's stopped and she is now STTN.  I am still BFing at bedtime, but am happy to continue that for now.  I did try BF earlier, but then she still wanted to BF when she went to bed.

Thanks for all your suggestions.

[Haribo2012]

Great to hear 

[Kellyjs]

Great news, well done you!