Wednesday, May 27, 2009
weaning from night nursing
When k was just about 2, I was starting to feel resentful of her frequent night nursing, so I knew it was time to start the weaning process,I joined a LLL group to get some tips and support on weaningMy experience was a real back and forth, between my needs and hers.We would try various different ideas- mostly from Elizabeth Pantley “no cry sleep soloution” one good tip ( if you co sleep) was to wait a few moments when your child makes a noise or moves- instead of using our instant mother instinct and putting them to the breast- give them a chance to resettle- maybe they didn't even wake up- I found that this eliminated sometimes 2 feeds a night! another one that helped was to keep a little distance in the bed- an arms reach away, so its not quite as easy access.It helps to have a bunch of ideas to try. For us some would work for a while, then an event would happen (we’d go away for a few days) and we’d be back to square one.Although next try would be much easier.
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I've also read the no cry series- they are really good books. I would keep a sippy cup of milk beside the bed. It sure was easier sleeping together tho, at least I didn't have to fully wake up to BF
Sometimes I will say, in a quiet but firm voice, Go back to sleep. This works usually 1-2 times per night. I have noticed if I keep a little bit further away from her she doesn't wake up as often. Life is getting better for me though. My Princess is 18 months and wakes up around 3-4am and I usually have to feed her. If I want to sleep in longer, I can just feed her and we can sleep an extra hour. That is the nice side of night feeding. :)
I, too am resentful and exhausted after a night of frequent wakings...it is usually attributed to the fact that I don't go to bed when my 20 mo old does-around 9. I use that time to catch up on homework (back in school at my age;) or visit with my other 3 kids or my husband; laundry etc. Maybe a shower>!?1?. Anyway, I often wonder if she's teething and uncomfortable or if the night waking is just a habit. It can't be nutritional needs, as no two year old needs to eat in the middle of the night , do they??
Just what exactly are the nutritional components of breast milk after 20 months? If she can go several hours without nursing in the day, why the frequent night feedings? Hubby says I created the problem by rolling over and nursing her in the early days (but, isn't that the point) He has been trying to take her to another room at night and that helps some. It's almost as if she can smell me...
Thanks for the book suggestions!
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