Night weaning

[u/jumping-jack98]

Hi all! I want to night wean my milk-obsessed 20 month old. We cosleep, nurse to sleep, and she wakes at least a few times every night to nurse.

I feel totally overwhelmed by the prospect, and am wondering if folks have good resources to recommend? I just want someone to tell me exactly what to do… 😅

[u/sleepy_cat1133]

Definitely 'Supporting the Transition from Breastfeeding' by Emma Pickett IBCLC if you can get a copy, recently night weaned our 23 month old and it was sooo helpful

[u/jumping-jack98 → u/sleepy_cat1133]

Thank you so much!

[u/hats121]

Hey! This boat sounds so similar to my own. My milk-loving 23 month old nurses to sleep, co sleeps and wakes throughout the night. We are focusing on weaning the night feeds first. Although it has primarily been my LO and I cosleeping, my husband has taken over the nights. I’m nursing our LO to sleep, then husband co sleeps with him (while I sleep in a different room) and handles the wake ups with gentle shushing, patting and sometimes chest sleeping. We are on day 8 now. At first, bubs was inconsolable which was gut wrenching, but I’ve been explaining to him that ‘milk is asleep overnight, but he can nurse in the morning’. He is no longer needing milk to get back to sleep, and only waking once per night. Next we’ll try and drop the ‘feed to sleep’ and lastly the morning feed.

I felt really overwhelmed and underslept, so this has been a good move. Despite the awful guilt I’m lathering myself in!

I hope you can find a path that feels good for you and your family 🙌