My dd is 2 1/2 and still nurses anywhere from 2-5 times a night. I'm thinking and brainstorming how I can start doulaing. Do I/Should I need to nightwean? I'm probably only going to be doing like one birth a month.
I'm guessing I do. I just wanted to see if anyone was in a similar situation and what you did.
Dd nurses to go to sleep and to fall back asleep. Would she adapt if I weren't here? Like would she allow dh to rock her back to sleep? I'm just brainstorming out loud, but I'd like opinions.
__________________
.ali.
...army wife to soldier man
...mama to waterbaby since early '05
...CAPPA trained doula, OSD volunteer Labor doula service, belly casting, babywearing products, lessons, and demonstrations.
"I praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made"
-Ps. 139:14
I don't see why you would have to wean. I've found that if I'm around and ds is in bed with me, he nurses all the darn time. HOWEVER, when I'm not here, be it for a birth or out with my friend or whatever, dh can get him to bed fine (he won't nurse to sleep ) and he doesn't wake up. So he doesn't nurse nights when I'm at a birth, but he nurses at night the rest of the time. And he's 9 months old. I would think your dh would be ok, but maybe go out with a friend for a late dinner or something nearby where you can have a 'test run' kwim? Good luck!
My ds was almost 2 when I started attending births and he was still nursing several times at night. He did fine on the nights that I wasn't there. In fact, dh said he slept better without me! Figures! Then once I came home nursing during the night continued as usual.
__________________ ~Tranquility Birth Services~
Support, Education, Peace of Mind
Noelia M. Waldo, CD(DONA), HCHI
DONA Certified Doula, Certified Hypnobabies Instructor
Mom to 3 wonderful kids
My ds was almost 2 when I started attending births and he was still nursing several times at night. He did fine on the nights that I wasn't there. In fact, dh said he slept better without me! Figures! Then once I came home nursing during the night continued as usual.
Sara was 18 months when I did my first birth after *her birth.
It was rough going to get her to sleep that night, I won't lie, but she slept fine without me once hubby and big sister got her to sleep.
I couldn't have went back to work much before that, but at 2 1/2 I was right back into the swing of birthwork and busier than I ever was.
www.doula2you.wordpress.com DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT support the opinions, beliefs, marketing efforts or skewed research/data presented by EmpowHER here or anywhere else.
My babies have all gotten to the point of "out of sight, out of mind" eventually, and are generally fine to not nurse if I'm not around. Of course, they are VERY happy to see me when I do get back home, and nursing is the first thing they want to do...but so far, they've all done really well with me away by 9-12 months or so. I haven't left any of them overnight that early...but I'd say that by 18 months, they have been/would have been fine. I guess it remains to be seen what Ethan does if I'm away overnight for a birth, but I know he and DH will make it through.
I agree with the others. My son was about 17 months old when I had to leave him overnight to attend my first client's birth. It was rough for DH and DS woke every hour or so throughout the night but they both managed and breastfeeding picked back up the moment I got home.
__________________
Jeanette
New doula and childbirth educator
Do I need to nightwean if I start doulaing?
) and he doesn't wake up. So he doesn't nurse nights when I'm at a birth, but he nurses at night the rest of the time. And he's 9 months old. I would think your dh would be ok, but maybe go out with a friend for a late dinner or something nearby where you can have a 'test run' kwim? Good luck!
Quote:
