First of all, thank you so much to those of you that recommended that I read “The No-Cry Sleep Solution” by Elizabeth Pantley. I picked it up this weekend and read it in two nights. I LOVED it! The whole book was right in line with my way of thinking, and it was so awesome to read stories about other moms in the exact situation. The author, a woman (always a plus), has four kids and breast fed and co-slept, so I related to her right away. Her youngest woke up every hour to nurse. EVERY HOUR. Made me realize I don’t have it quite so bad! Anyway, her tips make so much sense and now that I’ve read the book through, we’ll be starting to use her method. It works in steps- first, we get him to start getting back to sleep without breast feeding, then without being held, etc. All without making them cry! It’s definitely a more peaceful method, and one that I am able to see us doing. Once he is sleeping well, we can get more strict with him sleeping in his own bed and such.
The past two nights, Knox has slept for several hours in his own bed, which is a step in the right direction! So far, I’ve been using her “Pantley Pull Off” Method for night nursing. Basically, when they wake and want to breast feed, you let them for a brief period of time just while they are nursing vigorously for a minute or so. Once the pace slows, you disconnect them and hold under their chin to let them know they’re done. If they stir and start rooting, you can nurse again briefly, just keep repeating the pull off method until they are asleep. I thought for sure this wouldn’t work since Knox tends to stay glued to my boob at night, but sure enough, it did! At most, I’ve had to reconnect him twice before he fell asleep. This is definitely an improvement!
She also suggests introducing a “lovey” item while nursing so that they start to equivocate that item with being comforted and happy. Before long, they will be satisfied to have the lovey instead of you. So, we started that last night, and he held onto his little monkey lovey and fell asleep clutching it. So sweet. I’ll keep you guys updated on how this works for us!
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That’s great! We have been thinking of trying to start some new sleep habits because now, at 16 months I am trying to start weaning the night nursing.
The only other time he ever wants to nurse is when I get home and so far (the last couple of weeks) I have been able to distract him by saying “Let’s read a book” – so that’s our new after work routine, but I know that’s not as easy, or good to do, in the middle of the night! The lovey idea is great. Since nothing he currently has keeps his interest, it sounds like a job for Santa as a stocking stuffer
And I think Santa’s helper (the husband) will have to pick up that book for Momma’s stocking!
Good luck. Hope your get more sleep. I was so luck to be living with my mom at the time when our daughter was really little ( my husband at the time was deployed) I would take night shift and she would take morning shift so I could sleep. Hope it all works out for you.
The lovey idea is really great. Laura has been holding onto a blankie during bedtime bottle for the last month or two, and she’s almost able to fall asleep now without a bottle at all!
I’m so excited that the book’s working for you too! I just lent my copy to another breastfeeding mom whose 12-month-old son is also an all-night nurser. I couldn’t believe how fast my daughter responded to Pantley’s tips. And it’s only gotten better and better. I only wish I would’ve read this book sooner. I hope you continue to get good results!
Colleen
I think that’s great! It’s hard to be a first time Mom and the only advise you get feels wrong ( just let them cry it out let them cry it out). Good luck, I pray that you and your hole family gets a good night sleep soon
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