Have you tried wearing her in a sling during the day to help with settling? It sounds like your instincts are probably correct on the dummy, so perhaps you could try techniques for settling her that don't involve the dummy for a while, and see if you can work on that on its own.
Sounds like you're reading your baby beautifully though!
Thanks for all the advice girls. We have been dummyless almost 2 days now! I'll admit there have been moments where i've nearly caved, but I've held strong. She is still screaming before she attaches, but once she is on, she has a good feed.
MantaRay - I would have to wake her to get an extra feed in. I am currently demand feeding as she is a big girl (5.6kg) so am letting her set the pace.
Emma - I know exactly how you feel! Hope things are getting better for you
Jennifer - DD will only sleep in the sling if I am walking out and about, she wont just around the house. Atm, during the day I have to rock her to sleep. I am quite worried that she will get used to this though. I have tried to put her down in the cot 3 times today awake with no dummy, but she only screams at me, so then i rock her.
Marcellus - good to know it can take some time, and we're not alone!
There is a breast feeding drop in centre near me, so I am going to go to that tomorrow to see what the LC thinks is going on. I just really want to get this sorted, for both our sakes.
I'm glad the no-dummy is helping with the feeding - you're a clever Mummy to have figured it out and trust your instincts.
Re the worry as to rocking/holding her to sleep. Just remember, she's only very small still. Eight weeks ago she was rocked/held/continuously fed 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. I doubt you're holding her even as much as 12 hours a day, so considering she has halved the amount of time she was used to being 'cuddled' is significant! Babies grow out of their need to be held and comforted as they get older. Nothing you are doing to provide that reassurance will stop her detaching when she is ready. In fact, the opposite may very well be true. A baby that is secure in its attachment and knows it can depend on you for comfort is likely to be much more settled as she grows.
Personality comes into it, but it sounds like you are being careful to meet your little one's needs now, and that's the most important thing.
Good work Manhattan!
Have to second what Jen said re rocking etc. DS was like that - we could not put him down at all for the first 8-9 weeks. But you know what? By 12 weeks he could put himself to sleep in the cot. (ok, it didn't last very long, but that's another story)
Just do what she needs you to do now. It'll all change so quickly.
Just an update on where we are at - DD has been diagnosed with silent reflux, which is why she initially refuses to feed as it hurts her, and when I try to put her to the breast, she only remembers the pain. Poor little DD, but at least now we know, and can treat it.
Jennifer and Marcellus - thank you for your reassurances about settling. Jen, what you said makes so much sense, and no one has put it that way to me before. Glad to know that I am not alone, and that following my insticts is the right thing to do.
Thanks again to you all, your advice is very much appreciated xo
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Sounds like you're reading your baby beautifully though!
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