SUCCESS - I have just night weaned my 18 month old DD . . . . read on:-)

I have to share as I noticed the thread about night feeding. My DD has been
bfing for 18 months, and we have also co-slept for the same time. The last
couple of months she was waking every hour to feed and I have been ill for
weeks due to being run down so took the bull by the horns and night weaned,
day time still enjoyable so leaving that for a while.

My HV told me to do controlled crying but doesn't work with DD as she is a
vomiter when stressed and crying at night times.

Here's what we did, sorry for long story try to be brief; strict evening
routine. Dinner at 4.30 - 5 pm. Bath at 6pm get dressed for bed at 6.30 in
DD's room. Back downstairs for play until 7.20 then read three books
reminding DD that after last book is bed.

Bed for 7.30 and bf to sleep or bf then lie with DD until falls asleep,
usually on bed with her 1/2 hour (this cuts out the vomiting and clearing
up, etc).

She used to wake up every hour after 7.30 but I would go up reassure her and
pat her back, leave room immediately. Cried for hour after each put down
first two nights (very tough) but absolutely refused to bf her.

Couple of nights later she was going 2.5 hrs before waking, I would then put
her back down, and leave.

I started on Christmas evening and the last four nights she has slept for 11
1/2 hrs straight though, occasionally she stirs but can now settle herself
back to sleep, which was the turning point.

I cannot believe it, have tried different methods for last three months and
finally something has worked, I didn't want to get to the stage where she
hated going to bed as she was left to cry herself asleep but she now enjoys
it and is happier during the day and so am I.

We are no longer co-sleeping but has been with me for 18 months since the
night she was born so thought time she could be in her own room on her own
(I was in with her). Up until now I loved night feeding but when it started
affecting both of us I knew something had to give, she wakes up at 7 am, I
bring her into my bed and we snuggle together and she has boobie, she loves
it as she is rewarded for sleeping though not for waking me every hour:-)

Good luck and I will be happy to answer any questions.