u/INeedYourPelt

He's 5.5 months old and breast fed so prefers his mother. I was able to feed him his bedtime bottle for a couple of weeks but as soon as he'd finish he'd get a bit cranky and want more boob. Tried numerous times but, sadly, to no avail.

He's quite a happy boy on the whole and loves interacting with me but bedtime he only wants his mom.

Today we'd done the usual nighttime routine and he'd had his boob and wasn't sleeping for my partner. She said he was just quite alert so put him into the next-to-me so she could have her dinner with the monitor on. I said I'll go and try and as I was going upstairs he started crying.

I've tried many times before but he makes himself too sad and when his mother comes in she takes over and it's some magic touch art she pulls off and he's instantly comforted.

I get to him and pick him up and cuddle him close. He's getting louder and sadder but I wanted to persevere because I, too, want to be able to soothe him.

After a few minutes of gentle swaying and rocking he was still sad so I lay on the bed with him on my chest. He didn't like that one bit so I go back to standing but get him to stand up on my belly before I sit back up and stand up.

I hold home close again and tell him dad loves him and make sure I'm rubbing his back gently and rocking gently.

He must have understood because he calmed down immediately. He's gathering himself and the sobs stop. Then he cuddles in closer to my chest and I can feel him getting heavier. I carry on swaying and he's good. Success!

Or so I thought. The bloody floorboard creaks and he startles. I tense a bit preparing for the played out song I've become accustomed to... But no. He looks up at me, looks into my eyes and sees it's his dad and decides "yeah, actually I'm really comfortable so this'll do".

It was so sweet. I just stood there with him in my arms for 5-10 minutes taking it in, feeling very proud of myself.

I was able to transfer him and, with some more reassuring gentle strokes I put him down in the next-to-me and he's cuddled in looking sweet and happy.

I leave the room and my partner is waiting (as she is aware she has to come and do the settling if I'm not successful) and I shoot her the biggest smile and she smiles back.

I feel so damn proud of myself.

Now I'm awaiting the inevitable clinginess-for-dad phase but I'll deal with that when it happens.