Sleeping Problem For My Son

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Sleeping Problem For My Son

by Ghada
(Libya)

He will not go to sleep without breastfeeding. How do I change this habit?

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Sleeping Problem For My Son

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Nov 20, 2008

Sleeping problems
by: Baby Help Line - Annie

Hi Ghada,

You don't say how old your son is, so it is a bit hard to advise. In general a baby under six months often feeds to sleep. And lets face it, cuddling up and suckling with his Mom is the loveliest way to snooze off! Many Mom's feed their babies off to sleep as long as they are breastfeeding, even over a year old, when they are not feeding so often. It is really up to you to decide what you are happy with. Mom's with other children often say their youngest baby was much better at going off to sleep without a fuss, simply because Mom was busy with other children!

Some babies easily drop off to sleep on their own in the crib with a full tummy. Many who need extra cuddles and soothing want the comfort of Mom until they are much older. Some parents swear by pacifiers, that way babies can suck themselves off to sleep. You might just have to slip in and pop it back in. Other parents hate pacifiers! So it is up to you what you choose.

Have you tried expressing your milk? That way your husband or mother could take over the bedtime routine and you are out of the loop!

Even for young babies it is really helpful to have a bedtime routine. It doesn't mean they actually go off to sleep, but they get used to things happening in a certain order, nice and calm and quiet then as they get older it becomes easier.

Start with a bath and quiet cuddles and rocking and maybe some stories in a sleepy voice. Stay away from TV and lots of noise and just sit quietly with him. Give him his last feed and then settle him in his cot and sit with him for a while patting or rubbing his back or rocking the crib.

Paula has put together some great tips here, so you might get some ideas to try:
Find the baby sleep here.

There is also a similar question both Paula and I answered recently with a 15month old boy, so have a look there for ideas too:

http://www.easybabylife.com/i-cant-get-my-15-month-old-to-sleep.html

In general if your little one is still pretty young then I wouldn't make too much of a big deal. Either way getting into a struggle or battle at bedtime makes an ongoing problem and you want bedtime to be something he is happy and comfortable with.

Enjoy your little boy, it is a very special time,

All the best,
Annie Desantis

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Nov 20, 2008
Rating

Submitted by: Baby Help Line - Annie

Title

Comment
Hi Ghada, You don't say how old your son is, so it is a bit hard to advise. In general a baby under six months often feeds to sleep. And lets face it, cuddling up and suckling with his Mom is the loveliest way to snooze off! Many Mom's feed their babies off to sleep as long as they are breastfeeding, even over a year old, when they are not feeding so often. It is really up to you to decide what you are happy with. Mom's with other children often say their youngest baby was much better at going off to sleep without a fuss, simply because Mom was busy with other children! Some babies easily drop off to sleep on their own in the crib with a full tummy. Many who need extra cuddles and soothing want the comfort of Mom until they are much older. Some parents swear by pacifiers, that way babies can suck themselves off to sleep. You might just have to slip in and pop it back in. Other parents hate pacifiers! So it is up to you what you choose. Have you tried expressing your milk? That way your husband or mother could take over the bedtime routine and you are out of the loop! Even for young babies it is really helpful to have a bedtime routine. It doesn't mean they actually go off to sleep, but they get used to things happening in a certain order, nice and calm and quiet then as they get older it becomes easier. Start with a bath and quiet cuddles and rocking and maybe some stories in a sleepy voice. Stay away from TV and lots of noise and just sit quietly with him. Give him his last feed and then settle him in his cot and sit with him for a while patting or rubbing his back or rocking the crib. Paula has put together some great tips here, so you might get some ideas to try: <a href="http://www.easybabylife.com/baby-sleep.html">Find the baby sleep here.</a> There is also a similar question both Paula and I answered recently with a 15month old boy, so have a look there for ideas too: <a href="http://www.easybabylife.com/i-cant-get-my-15-month-old-to-sleep.html">http://www.easybabylife.com/i-cant-get-my-15-month-old-to-sleep.html</a> In general if your little one is still pretty young then I wouldn't make too much of a big deal. Either way getting into a struggle or battle at bedtime makes an ongoing problem and you want bedtime to be something he is happy and comfortable with. Enjoy your little boy, it is a very special time, All the best, <a href="http://www.easybabylife.com/annie-desantis.html">Annie Desantis</a>

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