night weaning

[kosh]

does anyone have experience with night weaning a toddler (or even partial night weaning if such thing exists! ) while still BF during the day? is it possible?
I am not sure if I really want to go that route yet, but would love to hear some experiences. thanks

 

[kerrie24]

I have!
Owen was older than your baby(around his 2nd birthday I believe) when I decided I wouldnt feed through the night anymore.
I basically just explained that he cant have Booba(he called it) untill the morning,and offered a drink of water incase he was thirsty.
I also wore a bra and top to bed for a while so he couldnt get 'easy access' as we co-slept.
He still got it at bedtime and on waking but he was eating plenty and I knew he didnt need milk during the night by then.
As long as you are consistent and dont give in when you are in need of sleep,it wont take long for your lo to get used to the new rules.Good luck.

 

[kosh]

I have!
Owen was older than your baby(around his 2nd birthday I believe) when I decided I wouldnt feed through the night anymore.
I basically just explained that he cant have Booba(he called it) untill the morning,and offered a drink of water incase he was thirsty.
I also wore a bra and top to bed for a while so he couldnt get 'easy access' as we co-slept.
He still got it at bedtime and on waking but he was eating plenty and I knew he didnt need milk during the night by then.
As long as you are consistent and dont give in when you are in need of sleep,it wont take long for your lo to get used to the new rules.Good luck.

thanks! Ideally I'd like to wait until my LO is a bit older (like yours) so he can understand better.
a few questions:
how much was he feeding/comforting over night when you stopped?
was he very upset?
did you still carry on BF during the day?

 

[kerrie24]

No problems

At the time he was feeding on waking,at bedtime and then during the night 2-3 times.

He was a little bit upset and confused for the first couple of days when I tried to settle him without the breast but never ended up screaming or anything,just grumbled a bit.As he was 2 it was easier for him to understand I think.
I would still give him cuddles,so he wasnt being ignored.

As he was only feeding in morning and at bedtime I continued doing that without the night feeds,I only stopped breastfeeding about 6/7 weeks ago when he self weaned.

 

[kosh]

bump

anyone else?

 

[Tacey]

I night weaned Alice just after she turned 2. I did it because I was pregnant and exhausted so I took the easy route and left it to DH to do! I slept on the spare bed for 3 nights and DH cuddled her when she woke. The first night she woke a lot and was fussy (but not really distressed) and after that it was easier. When I came back to the family bed she still would wake but I'd remind her she didn't have milk at night any more and to wait until morning. Wearing a top helped!

I'm still nursing in the day now.

 

[kosh]

thanks tacey
can I ask, was your DD used to being re-settled by your DH? my LO used to be, but not anymore. now it has to be me. and the few times I tried to cuddle him without boob he went absolutely mad
I don't know how I would be able to gentle night wean him really....

 

[Tacey]

thanks tacey
can I ask, was your DD used to being re-settled by your DH? my LO used to be, but not anymore. now it has to be me. and the few times I tried to cuddle him without boob he went absolutely mad
I don't know how I would be able to gentle night wean him really....

No, she'd never slept for anyone but me, even for naps. It was a few very late nights as he'd wait until she was absolutely drooping!

 

[ChimChims]

My daughter is like this. She's never napped all by herself anywhere but the carseat (in the car). The rest of the time she just has to be in arms. Thing is, now she rolls, stands, leans, bends in half (to support on her head) and all other manner of movement at night. I think for her safety she needs to sleep independently but I don't know how to do that without making her cry since she is hyper-aware of whether she is on my body or not.