My 17 week old daughter constantly comfort nurses to sleep. ( I can tell the difference between her feeding and her just sucking away) Is it just a phase that will pass on its own? She wont take a soother for the life of her so that is not an option for me; and I dont want to let her cry it out. Any ideas would be a great help!
2007-03-21 08:26:51 · 4 answers · asked by Laura D 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Our first child did much the same thing. She wanted nothing to do with a pacifier...only her mother's breast. When she fell asleep, she would let off and easily went to her crib, but we also didn't feel we should just let her cry since it was not really an inconvenience to let her camp there for a while longer. She gradually did this less and less as she grew older, until she finally weened herself from the breast altogether at just under a year old.
My personal feeling is that you should feel free to let your daughter comfort-nurse, so long as it's not an inconvenience for you. Most likely, it's the close skin-to-skin contact that comforts her more so than having the nipple in her mouth. I can't say for certain, but it seemed to us that our daughter slept much more peacefully when we allowed her to stay at the breast a little longer at bedtime or naptime.
If it's not convenient to do so, however, you could try gently breaking the suction when she has finished nursing, but keep her held close to your skin until she's either soundly asleep or until she tries to pull away by herself.
2007-03-21 21:07:35 · answer #1 · answered by Marcus75 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't help her break the habit! It's good for her. Get comfortable, gather the remotes, a phone, a book, a snack, and most importantly, a drink of water and settle in. These nursing marathons are nature's way of making sure we rest. If you would rather move, try nursing in a sling. My first baby was exactly like this, and it was frustrating until I accepted that constant nursing was something she needed.
2007-03-22 02:44:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let your baby comfort nurse! It is good for her! You should be proud that she comes to you for comfort and not some binky, or blankie! It is normal, healthy, and good for your milk production. My daughter is 9 months now, and still just wants her "ny-ny" to comfort herself. It is amazing how much of a comfort it is! She could fall and crack her head, and after she has the boob she forgets all about it. Its not a BAD habit at all. It is a natural part of being a baby.
2007-03-21 08:36:37 · answer #3 · answered by teagansmummy 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
My two month old son is sometimes the same. If he doesn't take the dummy I use my pinkie in his mouth. To be fair to him he doesn't need it that often but when he does it's usually to try and get him to sleep. Don't know if this is helpful, but I understand you frustration.
2007-03-21 08:31:46 · answer #4 · answered by sprouticus79 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋