Community› The Bump Message Boards› Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
New Discussion

XP: Comfort Sucking question

newtletnewtlet
in Breastfeeding

Hi all--

I just posted this question on Success After Loss, but I suppose this is the best place for it.

We have had a rough couple of days with the baby's tummy issues here at Chez Newt, and sometimes the only thing that will calm him down is to put him on the breast--even if he ate quite recently.  It's comfort sucking, but he's definitely still getting quite a bit of milk. 

Does anybody else have a baby who does non-hunger nursing?  And do you know if it's a problem for him to be eating so often?

Part of me thinks it helps--when he's gassy, sometimes the new milk will kick his digestive system into gear, and help move everything out.

But part of me thinks it's a problem--he could get overfull, all that foremilk could be exacerbating the situation, or it's just bad for him to eat all day.

Any help?

Report Reply to Post

Re: XP: Comfort Sucking question

  • kristalandphilkristalandphil

    My daughter does this quite often in the evenings and when she has a tummy ache. She was just started on meds for Acid reflux so we have seen some improvement but she still comfort nurses daily at some point. My figuring is that it is better for her to nurse than to gasp in a ton of air screaming or crying. I know she is still getting milk and will sometimes spit up a bit more after, but it calms her, which is better than the crying. I have a feeling that once the reflux gets a bit more under control I will see less comfort nursing!

    I don't think there is anything wrong with it as long as you and your child are happy with the situation that is all that matters.

    ?Kristal?

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • K-K-K-KatieK-K-K-Katie

    ohhh the tummy issues!  we have those constantly and yes i've noticed she is all around more content if i let her comfort nurse.  i tried not doing it and she got so upset that i eventually nursed anyway - so why let her go through that agony?  the doctor said at this point they cannot overeat... if they take in too much milk, they will just spit it up.  which might be messy but it doesn't hurt them.  (unless they cry after spitting up, in which case it does hurt and then is probably reflux so you should talk to your dr)

    good luck.... i can't wait till her digestive system matures!

    Report Reply
  • otcotc

    My baby ate all day and night at that age, it was hard to decided what was comfort and what was hunger, with all the growth spurts, etc. 

     It's not bad for him to eat all day, like PP stated if they eat to much they will just throw up. 

     My DS had reflux also but he wasn't the throwing up kind, just the hour after eating screaming in pain kind.  The meds helped but the nursing helped the most.

    This too shall pass...

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"