Need Weaning Advice

I think I went through nearly the same thing with the sleep routine. I suggest pumping and giving her a bottle to sleep with ALONE. It's one of the hardest parts about letting go, and it'll break your heart every time she cries, but she needs to learn that she won't be nursing any longer, but she'll still get the comfort of suckling on a bottle. Soon you'll have to replace milk with water, once the teeth come in to prevent cavities and decay. I just have to warn you of engorgment when you quit nursing.. It was a nightmare for me. I was told to put cabbage in your bra when weaning-- some old wives tale, but no one told me this til I had suffered. I went 2 days and 1 night without feeding 1 drop.. I leaked and sprayed everywhere!!! my boobs were rock hard and they hurt like hell. But I was done with. My daughter was nearly 9 months and starting to bite. I pumped and stored for a little while, which I would suggest, if you can, because formula gets expensive! Anyway, i hope it all works out for you. I know it's not easy, but you can do it!

I nursed my last one and hated to stop at 8mos but, after a weekend away being completely engorged I came home, nursed crying one last time and quit. My babysitter threating not to sit again also gave great motivation! One thing I did was slow cut her nursing time down and finished up our sessions with water but continued to hold her like she was nursing.

Another thing I did was take her lovey or rotated receiving blankets and put them between us while she was nursing. (skin to skin). The blanket would take on both our body odors and at night I would let her take these to bed with her. At times when she wasn't completely awake but fussing and about to, I pulled it closer to her nose, she breathed us/me in and relaxed and went back to sleep. Sometimes I slept with them pinned under my pjs for stronger affect.

As far as the teething, rub some orajel on her gums before bed and when she wakes up might help if you get to her fast enough, but keep doing the other so when her gums no longer ache you'll have an easier time reinforcing her sleep patterns. Just keep telling them at work when you have to pry your eyes open with toothpicks that she's teething, we all feel for you!

Since you are breastfeeding so little now - her nutrients are most likely all from the bottle - and the breastfeeding is more a comfort. You didnt describe what your health issues are but if possible,I suggest adding a bottle in the evening - and after baby eats - perhaps "nurse" for a short time - and over a period of a week or so, gradually reduce the amount of time until you totally do away with it. Baby may still cry a little after you put them down - but doctors suggest - let them cry for 5 min - go in to baby and pat them on the back and let them know you are there - and then leave and repeat process. I was given a gift of "crib springs" to put on bottom of baby bed in lieu of the wheels that typically come on the beds. This allows the bed to "rock" with the baby's movements - and rock themselves to sleep without your having to pick them up every time - and thus train them to go to sleep on their own.

About me: mine are now grown - but was a full-time working mom

I've nursed 4 babies for up to a year (or more) each. I wouldn't give your baby a bottle in her bed. If you're truly ready to wean her then just switch out the breast for a bottle. Your body will adjust in a few days. Give her a nighttime bottle in a dark room, then lay her down with a pacifier. (There is no harm in a pacifier. Before she turns 2 cut the tip off and tell her its broken and that will be that.) If she cries, you can always pick her up, with a pacifier and/or a snuggly, and rock her a few minutes, then lay her back down. You can also get Dad to go through the routine. I suggest alternating nights. And remember, this is just advice. Always do what you feel comfortable with. She's your child.