Sleep is one of the most challenging and controversial aspects of parenting. Many babies sleep through the night at 6 months of age, but some continue waking throughout the night until they are almost 2 years old, according to Dr. Ben Kim. Breastfed babies may grow to depend on the comfort of breastfeeding to put them to sleep, which can make breaking them of the nighttime feedings difficult.
Step 1
Breastfeed your infant right before bed time. Dr. Sears states that some infants wake up at night because they are genuinely hungry, not just looking for comfort. Feeding him at night will help ensure that he won't wake from hunger.
Step 2
Tell her no and do not feed her when she wakes up to nurse. At 6 months she may not understand the meaning of "no," but over time she will begin to understand that this means she will not be nursed.
Step 3
Cover up before you go to bed. If you co-sleep and your baby latches onto your breast, wear a shirt or pajamas so he can't easily access the nipple by himself.
Step 4
Offer your baby a pacifier or her favorite teething ring to suck on. This is not always successful, particularly with older babies that are acclimated to breastfeeding. However, it can't hurt and using a pacifier has been linked to a lower incidence of SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Step 5
Place your baby in a crib to sleep or sleep in another room, if you were co-sleeping. This sends a very powerful signal that breast milk is not available. If you are not laying next to him, you are less accessible for nursing.
