thread: Feeding to sleep and Co-Sleeping, what about Daycare?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Jun 2011
    1,105

    Feeding to sleep and Co-Sleeping, what about Daycare?

    Hi All,

    It appears our little Poppet (6months) just wants to feel the warmth of her parents when she is sleeping. Not a fan of being in her cot, no matter how much we have persisted. Which has resulted in very disturped nights for months now and we can no longer function, so were going with Co-sleeping and feeding to sleep atm. I feel so guilty like I 'should' be teaching her how to sleep on her own, but in order to survive this is how it has to be.

    My main worry is what happens when she starts daycare at 11 months of age and it comes around to nap time? Obviously I won't be there to breastfeed her to sleep.

    So my question is... if you feed to sleep and your child goes to daycare how have you found nap times are tackled? Did your child adapt well to the changes? Would love to hear your experiences?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Mar 2009
    2,269

    Not exactly the same but children do adapt. We co-slept with DD1 (same bed and then same room in a toddler bed) until she was sleeping through at 2yrs 9mo and she fed to sleep longer than that, till she weaned at 3yr 3mo but she was able to settle in other ways for other people from a fairly young age without tears. From what I have heard, daycare staff are very good at trying to keep in line with the family routine too so I would simply explain the situation to them.

    And don't feel guilty for doing what feels natural and works for your family! Children really do not need to be taught to sleep on their own, mine have both learnt with nothing but time

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Oct 2009
    surrounded by textbooks, cat toys and love
    1,124

    Kids are smart, she'll know you're not there and therefore that feeding to sleep is not an option. My DS goes one day a week and either doesn't nap (possibly not the answer you wanted) or falls asleep in his highchair after lunch, as in he eats, gets comfy and shuts his eyes. No moving him allowed Something he has NEVER done at home.

    Your DD will sort it out. Some people say to start offering a transition object or stopping feeding to sleep, and if it makes you feel better you can. But I tend to think stuff like that is more trouble than its worth, just let the staff know her usual sleep cues. No doubt she'll figure it out.

    Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Melbourne
    124

    DD1 was the same and I was really worried about this, we found a really lovely family day care person who was prepared to follow our routine, she had no other young children so she had the time to spend putting DD1 to sleep. It worked really well.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    In Love land with my family :D
    1,512

    We still co sleep/feed to sleep

    I went back to work when dd2 was 10mths (13 mths now) , she refused EBM & only has water during the day (we feed morning & night as well as an overnight feed) weekends are full of boobie :d

    As for sleeping - find a supportive daycare who will work with you. Our daycare is wonderful. The ladies cuddle her to sleep

    I was so stressed about leaving her especially with no milk during the day, but it's working out well for us.

    Good luck! You'll be fine!

    Era: stick to your guns about what you want!

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Sep 2011
    Melbourne
    403

    We're quite similar to MissM. We've co-slept DD ever since she was born & fed her to sleep (naps & at night).

    She started child care about 2 months ago now. I took extra long time to transition her slowly to cc. My concern were having breast milk (she won't take the bottle) & sleeping.

    She's hardly taking any milk still. Abt 30ml per day with her sippy bottle.

    With her naps, she started with 1/2 hr but she did nap. And now she does 1.5hr sometimes (which she's hardly done at home unless I'm lie down with her). I think it's the slow transition that helps. I also have her sleep in a sleeping bag whenever she goes to sleep. And send one of her bags there at child care so she has it to sleep with. (smell/comfort)

    So don't worry. Find a cc that works for you & would support what you want to do. Plan a long transition. Good luck!

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    melb
    8,498

    DS2 started CC at 13 months 1 day a week, he had co slept and bf to sleep since birth and would only sleep during day on my knee or in pram or car. He slept fine at CC in cot with no issues at all. Settling easily for staff. Even now at 2 and 1/2 he has a sleep at cc but no day sleep at home.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Jun 2011
    1,105


    She's hardly taking any milk still. Abt 30ml per day with her sippy bottle.

    With her naps, she started with 1/2 hr but she did nap. And now she does 1.5hr sometimes (which she's hardly done at home unless I'm lie down with her). I think it's the slow transition that helps. I also have her sleep in a sleeping bag whenever she goes to sleep. And send one of her bags there at child care so she has it to sleep with. (smell/comfort)

    So don't worry. Find a cc that works for you & would support what you want to do. Plan a long transition. Good luck!
    The EBM is also a concern here. Thank you.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jun 2011
    1,105

    Thank you for your replies ladies. It is comforting to hear things are working out for you.

    We plan on starting her a few weeks before I start back at work. Fingers crossed!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    In Love land with my family :D
    1,512

    How's everything going rosey?

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jun 2011
    1,105

    Hey MissM. Thanks for checking in on me! Still 4 months until she has to face daycare. We're still feeding to sleep and co-sleeping.... Sleep is atrocious. I spoke to them when I checked them out and they said they are willing to do whatever I want in regards to sleep, which is awesome. Now just have to ey a place.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Jan 2010
    In Love land with my family :D
    1,512

    Awesome! Enjoy the next 4 months at home.... It flies!!

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jun 2011
    1,105

    Awesome! Enjoy the next 4 months at home.... It flies!!
    Thanks Mate. I know it's crazy how fast it's going.

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Sep 2011
    Melbourne
    403

    Feeding to sleep and Co-Sleeping, what about Daycare?

    Hey! Just thought I'd update you on how my dd has adjusted. Abt a week or 2 ago, she basically stopped grizzling or
    Got upset when she got dropped off. We think she actually quite enjoy it.

    Her milk intake has increased to 60ml. The girls also found a good time to let her have milk which probably helps. Her sleep is still up and down but overall has lengthen.

    So it's true there is light at the end of tunnel.

    PM me if you want to know anymore details.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Jun 2011
    1,105

    Feeding to sleep and Co-Sleeping, what about Daycare?

    Hey! Just thought I'd update you on how my dd has adjusted. Abt a week or 2 ago, she basically stopped grizzling or
    Got upset when she got dropped off. We think she actually quite enjoy it.

    Her milk intake has increased to 60ml. The girls also found a good time to let her have milk which probably helps. Her sleep is still up and down but overall has lengthen.

    So it's true there is light at the end of tunnel.

    PM me if you want to know anymore details.
    Veus this is awesome to read! Must make things easier knowing she is happy

  16. #16
    Registered User

    Sep 2011
    Melbourne
    403

    Feeding to sleep and Co-Sleeping, what about Daycare?

    Yes it does definitely. :-) one thing to bear in mind she's catching everything under the sun there so. It's abt every 2nd or 3rd week sick of some sort.

    She's also going to next room next year so I've asked for her to be introduced to the next room already so there is some sort of transition as the carers are different. I don't know if all other child care are like this but I just kept preservering. I figured it's to their benefit too.