Sucky baby?

Question

I am breastfeeding my 4 month yr old, she is a very "sucky baby" and seems to be only happy whilst on the breast as my only child i have the time to have her on the boob all the time, i just wonder if this is a good idea when she crys she now knows that ill latch her on! But if it makes her happy? Also when feeding how long to keep on one boob before having to wind?

Answer 1

I suggest you buy a pacifier for her. Some babies just have the urge to suck a lot. If you keep here on the breast more than to feed, this will cause more problems than solve. She will not learn to soothe herself.

Answer 2

I had this w/ 3 out of the 6 of mine. Like anything, when we r upset we want to be comforted. R u sure she is always hungry? Fed every 4 hours-20-25 mins on each side.I had issues ... I used it as a crutch (but didn't realize it).They would get upset,if i couldn't figure it out right away or just tired, I would assume they were hungry.Then THAT'S how they learn how to cope.If she is NOT hungry,I have noticed diversion works. Bad news is not at 1st.U 2 have established a pattern. She wants 2 b close 2 Mama-I would put on music that they could feel (ya know bass or something) Hold them kinda tight,against my chest and dance.They feel the music through u, love the movement,and they get the closeness they crave!!! Plus if u have any left over "baby weight" a lil FUN exercise never hurts;)Now I have teens that r music buffs...go figure.Using a Pacifier is a coping crutch (just another problem later, their coping crutch is poof gone). Seems to me she wants to FEEL you. I too think you can't be there enough for your very small infant! Keep up the good work, Mama ;)

Answer 3

You do not ever put a breastfed baby on a pacifier. Yes breastfeeding means they are latched on for most of the day but there are several reasons why. For one you cannot tell how much they are actually consuming. You need to be sure to switch sides often so that your baby is sure to get all the milk possible. also, unlike bottle feeding, when breast feeding the baby can smell the familiar smells of mom and it please them to be cuddled and squeezed. Is it really a bad thing to hold and love your baby? No. You can't spoil a child by reassuring them that mommy is there. I did it for two children and they weren't spoiled, they are not overly insecure or always stuck by my side etc. They are fine. You are doing nothing wrong. Relax and enjoy. Before you know it, it'll be over and you'll be feeling blue because your baby can walk and make a mess and is getting independent and wont want to cuddle up to you anymore or as much.

Answer 4

You cant spoil your baby before 6 mths (or at least I've read many times over) so I wouldnt worry about creating bad habits in her. Certainly you can try to distract her. Pacifiers (dummies as you call them in your next ?) are good for some, but my girl never took to it. A lot of breastfed babies dont like them as they are not nearly as nice as the real thing, mommy. What she DOES like is having a little stuffed animal to suck on, like a rabbit with long ears she can stick in her mouth. Perhaps she was a bit older when she developed that habit, I dont really remember anymore. These phases come and go with our children, and while maybe she seems to want to be nursing all the time now that will quickly end. Why did someone suggest giving formula? That's just strange. If you were giving formula would they suggest you breastfeed?

As for when to burp your baby that depends on your child. My girl was fine with being burped after nursing completely (after around 15min each), although I've heard of others needing to be burped more frequently than that. Depends how they drink, if they are inhaling much air or not. If she starts to get fussy while nursing, gas is a likely culprit.

Answer 5

Your question and its details are very confusing. I cannot tell if you are asking about a four month old or a four year old, and there is a pretty big difference between the two when it comes to breast feeding.

I am also having trouble understanding the dialect you are using, such as saying breast and boob, rather than one or the other, plus I have no idea what you are talking about when you say 'wind'.

ASSUMING that the baby is four months old and also ASSUMING that you are asking about when y ou should switch from one breast to another- At four months it is okay to feed her when she wants to be fed, but she is also ready for other distractions. If you think that she is full and just wants to suck, then try playing with her or just holding her and doing something else with her. YOu may try and pacifier, but I suggest taking it away by one year or sooner. As far as when to switch from one breast to another, I would say about 15 to 20 min. on each side. Make sure you feed evening, if you end on one side and she had the full 15 to 20 minutes, start on the other side the next time.

Answer 6

at 4 months old she doesn't need to be constantly attached all the time. As you say as soon as she cries she will expect to be fed. Food should not be used a comfort but for nourishment. When she's hungry that's one thing but just because she cries doesn't mean you need to put her on the breast. At this point teaching her to soothe herself to a point is necessary and getting her to play by herself for a little while is also necessary. I am totally for breastfeeding, but don't use yourself as a human pacifier. It's unhealthy for her and will cause issues that you really don't want to have to deal with. Pacifiers (not your breast) do work. She needs to learn sometime and better now than 4 more months away.

Answer 7

I nursed my son for almost a year, and he was the same, I had to get him to use a pacifier 'cause he got a bit demanding of my boobs... of course now he is three and still uses a pacifier which is another issue in and of it self... but otherwise I'm sure she is doing just fine, don't switch her to a bottle, just get her used to sucking on something else when she isn't eating. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Gosh, I breastfed, but that was quite a few years ago. I had a book that was my "baby bible" that answered these kinds of questions. You can also call the pediatrician anytime. It's too important to ask the Yahoos on this site (me included).

Answer 9

I have 3 kids and you can start the bottle some now start out with formula ,just a couple times a day .I endused baby food as soon as mine would eat it .good luck

Answer 10

i've read that up to 6 months you can't spoil a baby.