Expert: ruth kraft - 10/12/2009

Question
I breastfeed my 12 month old to sleep but when I put her down she wakes up and starts crying.  What should I do? Should I let her cry it out?  I'm desperate.  I need to return to work.  She has never used pacifier and she does refuse them.  

Thank you.

Nilda

Answer
She will likely not do this with a care provider as she does with you. She knows that you have the ability to nurse and that others dont. So when she is in day care, she will adjust alot easier. If you want, you can pat her back to sleep, have her unlatch before shes completely asleep and pat then and hope it works. but it may not. when your laying with her , and she falls asleep it is most comfortable to her so is normal she would want to stay with you.  With others, she might fuss a minute but its rarely as dramatic as it is with moms :) Do feel free to nurse her to sleep, and trust she will be ok when away from you!

I hope that helped!