Sure, we all love baby snuggles, but we love sleep as well! As much as you love holding your little one close, you need to catch some shut-eye to take care of yourself too. The only problem is- your baby won’t go back to sleep without nursing!
I think a lot of us have been in this situation (including myself!). You are enjoying a nursing session with your baby, and they begin to doze off. You think to yourself, “This is the moment!” Only for your baby to wake up crying as soon as you lay them down in the crib. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Feel comforted in the fact that you aren’t alone in this frustration! I have had plenty of moms confide in me that their baby won’t go to sleep without nursing. But what can you do to get your baby to sleep without nursing?
Should You Nurse Your Baby To Sleep?
The short answer is no. Hold on, let me explain!
I loved nothing more than to sneak those extra snuggles at night with both my babies when they were little as we nursed. But a HUGE mistake I made with my first baby was to nurse her to sleep!
Don’t get me wrong- you should be nursing, cuddling, rocking, and loving your baby to help comfort them to sleep! When I say don’t nurse your baby to sleep, I mean don’t let them fall asleep in your arms.
Think of it from your baby’s perspective. You are cuddled up close with someone you love, wrapped in a warm blanket, and enjoying your favorite drink. You then wake up in a dark room by yourself. You would probably be a little scared too!
This is what it’s like for your baby to wake up after being nursed to sleep. You mean well (and of course, no judgment! I think most of us have made this mistake), but nursing them until they are sound asleep isn’t helping you or your baby maintain a reliable sleep schedule.
Some other things you might be currently doing to help your baby sleep are:
- Rocking them.
- Whispering or singing to them.
- Pacing around the room with them in your arms.
These things, as much as you and your baby may love them, aren’t going to help your baby sleep on their own. Now what
So What Do I Do if My Baby Won’t Go Back to Sleep Without Nursing?
It may seem like you may never sleep again (but you will!). Believe me when I say that I’ve been there, done that.
Nursing your baby is a beautiful thing that not only nourishes your baby but strengthens the bond between you. Although you are nursing, cuddling, and comforting your baby as best as you can, you and many others might be missing out on the benefits of an independent sleep training program.
As of now, your baby knows that if you put them down in their crib and they wake up, you will be right there to nurse them back to sleep. Imagine what a sleep training course could do for both of you! It will give your baby the independence and confidence to sleep through the night, as well as give you back your much-needed shut-eye. Goodbye, endless cups of coffee!
Will Sleep Training Help My Baby Sleep Without Nursing?
Once your baby falls asleep in their own crib, they’ll wake up in the same spot. This is exactly what you want! Throughout the night, just like adults, babies will wake up multiple times as they go through sleep cycles. If they fall asleep in their own crib, they will not be scared or surprised when they wake up without you.
If you find that your baby is struggling to fall asleep unless they are nursing, sleep training is for you. Long gone are the days of bedtime anxiety as your little one will learn to self-soothe and enjoy a restful night without relying on nursing!
Looking for Guidance? Call an Expert!
All babies deserve to feel confident about falling asleep on their own at night. Infant sleep training is my specialty, as I am a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I can help a baby and their family enjoy a restful sleep.
If your baby won’t go back to sleep without nursing, let a professional guide your baby to independent sleep. Your baby will be sleep-trained with proven and gentle methods that will make a significant change in your stress levels.
Ready to get started? Check out my sleep packages–>
