How to reduce 'feeding to sleep'

My breastfed baby is 8 months old and wakes 4/5 times a night. She sleeps in a cot in her own room. When she wakes and cries I pick her up and we sit in the nursing chair with her on my boob. When she's falling asleep, I sit her up to wind her, then lay her on me (off boob) for a few minutes before transferring her back to the cot. She's either half or fully asleep then, and stays down in the cot.
I'd really like to reduce her reliance on my boob to go back to sleep, but I just don't know how! Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated 😊

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

My boys 9 months now and last week I decided to stop feeds over night (before 3am) as he was also in the habit of waking up and using boob/milk for comfort to settle. I decided I will keep 1 feed in the night but after 3am.

I used the cry out “method” but my own way. On day 1-2, When he woke up I’d leave him to cry for a bit before going in. Then go in pick him up cuddle, put him back down and leave. The first night was the hardest and ended up having to rock him half asleep.

Then by 2-3, he’d cry then I just went in laid him back down (he stands in his cot) and he started to instantly settle without a feed. Then day 3/4 he got it, he doesn’t wake up now, and if he does he just re settles without me.

My LB does suck his thumb and uses a soother blanky to rub his face so this is what he now uses to re settle

Just keep going 💪🏼 honestly, the wakes will get less as they get bigger. I know it feels tough but you are giving your baby exactly what they want and need. 8 months is a long time when you're up so much at night but it won't be forever. For context, my daughter is now 9 months and we've gone from 5/6 wakes a night to 2/3 in the last week. My son, who is now almost 3 fed overnight until he was 20 months and I wanted him but now he sleeps through and has always been a dream at bedtime. I honestly believe it's because I've always responded to him, never left him on his own in a dark room waiting for someone that isn't coming.

They are so tiny at this age. Love them whilst they want it. Most adults will reach for their partner in the night if they wake, your baby is doing the same.

If you really need, you could try offering water but I'd wait until closer to their 1st birthday as milk is their main source of nutrition at the moment.

You've got this xx

in our community

How long did baby sleep in your room?

My little one is only just 4 months but is rolling and already pretty much grown out of his next to me crib in size! I am an anxious mum and a stickler for following safety guidelines so we are going to dismantle and rebuild his big cot in our bedroom. Obviously that's a big of a faff for just 2 months but the more I think about it the more I can't even think about him moving into his own bedroom anytime soon... It feels so wrong to me to just stick my infant in his own bedroom? 😂 But obviously I know it needs to happen at some point so I'm just curious to see when other parents did the transition whether earlier or later?

Naps at nursery

My little boy will be 10 months old when he starts nursery, he currently needs holding/cuddling to fall asleep then I can place him down in his cot to nap once’s he’s fell asleep. He won’t settle on his own it just results in him screaming crying. But I’m worried about when he starts nursery, will the staff there do the same at nap time or will he expected to self settle himself to sleep?

Is this normal?

My 3.5yo son is normally very loud when he's in a park, soft play, family friendly holidays. Sometimes a bit too loud and doesn't understand some kids aren't reciprocating it. But I received his nursery report today and they say he's shy and likes to play alone. So I don't get it. He does in 2 days a week. Is this normal?

When did your little one get their first teeth and crawling, walking?

Let’s talk milestones! I am quite anxious about mine and generally I hate teething late and walking late is pretty common, or the new normal!

Not peeing at night

My son is almost 3 months old and isn't peeing at night. He slept 5 and a half hours and barely had a wet diaper. He pees normally during the day, just worried about nights.

Cheated on while pregnant

Yesterday, I found out my boyfriend was not only mine, but someone else’s. I’m pregnant and so is she. Has anyone else been through this? I literally feel like I’m dying & am scared of the amount of stress all this crying is causing. How do I possible get through this being 5 months ? 🙃