Comments on: A Different Kind of Baby-Led Weaning

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:35:39 +0000

I love our time together going down to sleep at night. My daughter nurses to sleep usually, but those rare nights where she doesn’t fall quite asleep, I whisper to her – “it’s asleepy time, I love you.” and set her in her crib.
I can’t imagine not doing this. Wow. So hard to believe the day will come. Sniff.

By: Heather

Heather — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:34:37 +0000

My three year old still nurses at bedtime, but rarely to sleep anymore (once a month, if that) and my 14 month old still nurses to sleep. But I go to bed with them, usually. I prefer that time to myself when I first wake up, so my crankiness doesn’t negatively impact them (and so they don’t make me more cranky)

By: Marcela

Marcela — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:03:28 +0000

I think I have to start looking for that “comfort” Audrey needs to fall asleep other than the breast. I’m guilty of leaving my breast in her mouth because I know as soon as I take it out, she will cry.

By: kneadedmommato4

kneadedmommato4 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:32:46 +0000

I wanted to offer encouragement to anyone who has that moment of doubt that child led weaning is overly ‘permissive’ or ‘indulgent’ or whatever else your concern may be…my children are 13, 8, 7 years old, and 8 months. All of my babies have been exclusively breastfed and co slept in one fashion or another…and all of them have been able to develop the skills to have healthy sleep habits in their own time – the only time any of the older ones night wake is when something’s not right – illness or a nightmare. They were able to comfortably sleep in their own rooms by 4 without needing to come into our bed any more. I think it may have been a bit earlier if it weren’t for some extenuating circumstances(father travelled a great deal, later divorce), but having that safe space of comfort allowed for easy reassurance. They have healthy attitudes re: food. They are able to ask for what they need without hesitation(hugs, cuddles, one on one time to talk, etc.). It is truly a gift these days(I’d love to see it as the norm!) to honor the natural developmental process of our children’s evolvement as the individual. While I know child led weaning wasn’t the sole reason they have the sound foundation I believe they do, it gave me a starting point as a parent to build that with them. Follow their lead, honor you both, and you will likely be caring for them in a loving and helpful way!

By: Annie @ PhD in Parenting

Annie @ PhD in Parenting — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:18:48 +0000

I’m not sure exactly….maybe sometime around 2 years?

By: Paige @ Baby Dust Diaries

Paige @ Baby Dust Diaries — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:43:31 +0000

Awww, cuddle my bum. That is so cute.

I still nurse to sleep but sometimes she has started not to fall asleep. What age did your kids start not falling asleep to nursing?

By: mamapoekie

mamapoekie — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:42:30 +0000

That picture is so beautiful!!!
That being said, my dd doesn’t nurse to sleep any more (except on rare occasions). She nurses, then goes to lie on the floor (we do put a plaid under her) end falls asleep on the floor. Sometimes she even sings to herself. After she dozes off, we carry her to our bed, where she sleeps until we join her.
We never had to push or anything. We are just waiting for her to decide.