u/Puzzleheaded_Box_339

My 7 month old was sleep trained around 4.5 months and was previously falling asleep independently really well. But over the last few weeks, as wake windows stretched and feeds didn’t (he still feeds every 2 hrs), I accidentally slipped into feeding before naps/bedtime… and now we’ve created a strong feed-to-sleep association 🫠

The issue is he now seems to only properly feed when he’s sleepy, using the boob to fall asleep. Then when I transfer him to the crib, he often wakes screaming. Sometimes he cries 15+ mins and it makes me wonder if he basically had a sneaky boob nap. I can’t tell when he’s sleeping on the boob cos he continues to swallow!

Current rough schedule is around 3.5/3.5/3.5-4 but sleep routine has gotten messy because he always falls asleep on the boob.

Would love tips from anyone who successfully broke the feed-to-sleep habit at this age without going full scream-fest. I’m okay with some crying, just hoping for a gentler transition back to independent sleep!
I try to feed earlier or in a different room but lately he refuses until he’s ready to nap!

Baby is EBF but takes a bottle well. I’m going out of town for two nights for a work related course. Baby has a good relationship with dad, I’m not so worried. I’m not worried about feeding.

BUT the last couple of months we have developed a fairly consistent habit of feeding to sleep. It was never this way before, but the wake windows lengthened and so I now feed twice a wake window. Inevitably, he falls asleep on boob before naps. It’s also been happening a bit before bedtime.

Prior to this, we always put him down drowsy but awake and he would self soothe. I feel like lately we’ve regressed a bit and we prob need to sleep train again.

He wakes to feed twice a night and sometimes also requires boob to go back after an EMW. I want to night wean but he’s a little guy and I don’t think he’s ready.

Basically, I have five days until I leave. What would you implement now to get baby more independently going down for naps and bedtimes, and ideally sleeping better at night? Need to break this boob addiction!

I KNOW THE ANSWER BUT I NEED TO HEAR IT, COS ITS HARD TO DO!!

Give me your positive stories about leaving bub and all your tips