Regression to not STTN and weaning (long!)

Sofka

It's been 11 days since DH and I came back from our vacation. DD was extremely clingy/would not let me out of her sight for about a week but is back to normal now. What is not back is the fact that she has not STTNed since we came back. She wakes up at random times, 10pm or 11:40pm or 2am or whatever and no matter what does not fall asleep. Since I have to get up at 5:30 to go to work I end up taking her to bed and putting the boob in and she falls asleep. But it's not quality sleep, at least not for me or DH. I am not as anti-co-sleeping as I used to be but this is ridiculous. A cuddle once a month is OK, IMO but I strongly believe that kids should sleep in their own beds and parents in their own!

Is it time to re-Ferberize? We had to do that for falling asleep our 2nd night back. Is it time to do it in the middle of the night too?

2nd issue is that she's almost 1yr old and has no desire to give up the boob. I'm still using up my freezer stash from May! After vacation, I can tell my supply has gone down but despite the fact that I have a lot less milk, DD will not stop wanting the boob! I thought that once the milk starts drying up, the baby will stop nursing but all she does is nurse longer. The other day she nursed for an hour (on one side!) while napping, every time I tried to take it out, she'd root for it again.

Any advice/suggestions/experience w/ above?? TIA!

Hey Jellisy

I only have sympathy to offer.  We're in a similar position, around 6 weeks ago DD stopped sleeping through the night and just wants to cuddle up next to me to sleep with access to nursing at her leisure.  We're thinking of letting her fuss in the middle of the night but haven't done it yet.  She doesn't need the food at night anymore, she just wants the comfort.  I've been attributing it to teething, so has DH.  I feel for you and am eager to hear any helpful advice as well. 

northernvabride

DD is 13 months and sometimes has a night when she'll wake up a few times here and there.  I go look in and see what she is doing, and if I don't see anything wrong, I shut her door and let her soothe herself.  Normally that happens for 1 or 2 nights, then she is back to STTN.  She will usually only cry for a few minutes and then falls back asleep.  We used to bring her into bed with us, but since I only nurse AM/PM now, all she would want to do is play, since she wouldn't get to eat.  As far as weaning, DD enjoys nursing 2x a day still, even though I know she isn't getting much.  She doesn't root around for it otherwise, so I think we're in a little different of a position on that front.  Good luck.