How to Wean the Baby From Using the Breast to Sleep

Nursing your baby to sleep will eventually become a problem. As she gets older, you will find that she will become dependent on this behavior and will not go to sleep without being breastfed. If you want to stop your baby from sucking for comfort and make breastfeeding sessions exclusively about nourishment, you must wean her to stop this habit. Gradually wean her for a more positive outcome for you and your baby. Weaning is all part of the natural breastfeeding experience.

Instructions

1

Breastfeed your baby a little before his scheduled nap time or bedtime so you can put him down for a nap or bedtime while he's slightly awake. This will help him get used to falling asleep without having to nurse.

2

Eliminate one feeding for several days if she's waking up throughout the night wanting to feed to go back to sleep. Decrease the number of feedings throughout the night as the days progress until she's not waking up to feed at all.

3

Encourage your spouse have an active role in this weaning process. Get Dad to try to put the baby back to sleep if he wakes during the night.

4

Give the baby a sippy cup with water to drink if she insists on drinking something before she goes to sleep. According to BabyZone.com, it is safe to introduce your baby to water as early as age 3 or 4 months with moderation. Eventually she will expect this cup and will cut back on the need to breastfeed to sleep.

5

Move the baby to his own bed if he is sleeping with you, which should also decrease the need to breastfeed during the night.