I have a 16 month old daughter who's never been a good sleeper and she has to suck to sleep. We co-sleep and she never took the cot from day 1. My weaning process was I dropped off the night feed first then gradually the afternoon feed. I figured it will be a slow painful process, so started this around 13 months. She's fully weaned at 15 months.
It was long & hard in the first few weeks. She just wanted to suck but I just lie down with her. Pat her back, talk to her, carry her, tried rocking but never offer the breast. Each time if she cry uncontrollably we will bring her to the living room, calm her down and after she stops, we start all over again. It took 2-3 hrs each night for her to sleep. There were times I just wanted to give in as it is quite draining but my husband encouraged me to persevere.
By week 3, we had a routine and she got it or perhaps gave in. Lights off and go to bed obediently. We thought we did it!! Then a few days later, she fell ill and had a breakout of rash (I accidentally gave her eggs - she is allergic to egg white!), we were back to square 1! She cried/scream each night when its bedtime. To the point, she will not sleep on the bed or enter the room. So, for at least 2 weeks, we slept in the living room - on the mat or on the sofa, depending on what she wants. We found out later, she was also teething (molars).
Anyway, we went away for 2 weeks and since we came back, touch wood she has been very obediently going to bed willingly. However, the cue for her/us is we say good night to everyone including the helper. One thing did change though, she now wants a bottle of milk right before she sleep on the bed - I guess this to her is like sucking to help her sleep.
Hope that helps and good luck. Like everyone says... it will only get better!
It was long & hard in the first few weeks. She just wanted to suck but I just lie down with her. Pat her back, talk to her, carry her, tried rocking but never offer the breast. Each time if she cry uncontrollably we will bring her to the living room, calm her down and after she stops, we start all over again. It took 2-3 hrs each night for her to sleep. There were times I just wanted to give in as it is quite draining but my husband encouraged me to persevere.
By week 3, we had a routine and she got it or perhaps gave in. Lights off and go to bed obediently. We thought we did it!! Then a few days later, she fell ill and had a breakout of rash (I accidentally gave her eggs - she is allergic to egg white!), we were back to square 1! She cried/scream each night when its bedtime. To the point, she will not sleep on the bed or enter the room. So, for at least 2 weeks, we slept in the living room - on the mat or on the sofa, depending on what she wants. We found out later, she was also teething (molars).
Anyway, we went away for 2 weeks and since we came back, touch wood she has been very obediently going to bed willingly. However, the cue for her/us is we say good night to everyone including the helper. One thing did change though, she now wants a bottle of milk right before she sleep on the bed - I guess this to her is like sucking to help her sleep.
Hope that helps and good luck. Like everyone says... it will only get better!