For some unknown reason, my son has been waking up about 4 a.m. and nursing the rest of the morning. I have become a human pacifier. If he falls asleep while nursing and I pull away he instantly wakes up and demands more milk.
I feel drained (literally) and exhausted. I haven’t slept much in the last two years, but I have barely slept at all in the last two weeks.
Any suggestions? I really don’t want to give up co-sleeping yet, I have cut out almost all caffiene, and we are not ready to wean, but there has to be something we can go right?
Yawn
Right?
Have you tried slipping in a dummy after tummies are full and boobs are empty? A quick slight of hand might get you some sleep. And if the paci is only for sleeping times, you probably won’t have issues getting rid of it. Obviously, he comforted by your closeness and the sucking. But no one said you have to be the suckee.
Put the baby and your husband’s nipple and see if that works.
It probably won’t but at least he’ll be awake and he can take care of the baby – and let you sleep.
Good advice?
Offer him some water in a sippy cup. That might help a smidge. That is what I’d offer Seth when we night weaned.
I recall having to tell Seth no more and even having to cover my breasts up. He didn’t want to just cuddle, he wanted milk! It took a while to night wean but it sounds like something YOU are ready for. If you are,talk to him about not having milk while you’re sleeping but that there will be more in the morning when you wake up. It does take a bit to get them to cooperate but when they are nursing for comfort, it isn’t always that comfortable for you.
Lol!! Rick, I have no idea if it is a good suggestion, but my spirit is warmed and my heart buoyed by images of Lee being rudely awoken by a questing baby mouth.
I haven’t laughed that hard in ages, thanks!!
Ellen,
I think we may be heading to the night weaning. My biggest problem is that he isn’t actually awake when he gets up, so he screams endlessly until a nipple is popped in his mouth.
I guess I should just buckle down and deal with the night weaning, as not buckling down isn’t helping with the sleep any.
Catherine,
I think a paci (we call them buppers or pucky’s) might help, but normally he just won’t accept it.
He’s a picky little man, much like his father.
I’m a new reader so please forgive me if you’ve addressed this before but is there any chance it might be his 2 year molars? I know both my children really up their nursing when teething.
Becky,
I am thinking it might be, and now knowing yours had a similar reaction, I feel as though there may be a light at the end of the tunnel!
Thanks for dropping in!