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Attachment Parenting
Comfort nursing
I'm just curious how you guys feel about this. I know a lot of people on here nurse to sleep, for comfort and for many other reasons not related to hunger. I know I do. When he's hurting from a shot or when I'm trying to get him to sleep, I'll usually nurse - even if he's not due for another meal yet. So while I do these things, I can't help but worry about him learning to associate food with comfort. This is something I struggle with. I'm overweight because I'm an emotional eater and I don't want that for my kids. I know as they grow up they will learn their eating habits from me so I really need to make changes in my own habits but my question is: do you think comfort nursing, especially for those who nurse into toddlerhood, affects eating habits later in life? I'm interested to know if anyone has stumbled upon any articles or studies related to this issue. I've done some searches but haven't come up with anything.
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Re: Comfort nursing
To me, nursing for comfort doesn't = eating for comfort. If he's older and you give him candy or a cookie or something to calm him when he's upset, I can see that association cropping up. Nursing is more than eating, it's connecting with Mommy.
I haven't found any studies or articles, but that's how I think of it.
I don't have any articles or anything, just my personal opinion.
I think comfort nursing is more than eating for comfort. I think it is letting your baby know you are there for him/her in an uncomfortable time. I nurse for naps, bedtime, comfort, pain relief, and obviously meals. Nursing is much more than food/drink, it is good cuddle and bonding time for mother and baby.
That is all my opinion. I plan on nursing as long as DS wants. At least one year, and up to 2 or more if that it what he desires. He will only be a baby for so long, and I want all the bonding and benefits that nursing provides!
I agree with the PP and this might help you feel a little better...
"A breastfed baby gets custom-calorie milk. The fat content of breastmilk changes during each feeding and also at different periods of the day. At the beginning of a nursing, when a baby is most hungry, she gets a large volume of foremilk, rich in protein and carbohydrates, but low in calories. If the baby is very hungry, he continues sucking and the fat levels in the milk rise (the "hindmilk"), telling the infant that it's time to slow down because his tummy is getting full. When you watch breastfeeding babies at the end of a feeding, you will notice how they radiate contentment, sucking needs and appetite both completely satisfied. When a breastfeeding baby is thirsty rather than hungry, or just wants to soothe himself, baby sucks in a way that makes the breast deliver only the lower calorie foremilk for a quick pick-me-up or some "calm me down" comfort. A formula-fed baby receives the same kind of formula, regardless of whether he is hungry, thirsty, or just needs to suck for comfort. Responding to the baby or toddler's different needs for food and comfort is more complicated with bottle-feedings. Allowing a toddler to walk around with a bottle just to "keep him quiet" or offering formula at every peep from an infant could condition the child to connect eating with comforting. Breastfeeding conditions the child to connect comfort with a person. Developmentally these are known as patterns of association, whereby an infant stores in the file library of their developing brain these associations to be replayed later on."
From: https://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t043700.asp
Interesting, thank you!
I've read studies that show the lack of breastfeeding can lead to diabetes and obesity.
I agree with pp about food associations as they get older is probably more of an issue. My mom used to reward us with food (for example, you get a jelly bean if you go potty on the toilet). I imagine it is situations like that that would bring about poor food/emotion associations.
I also think it is completley normal to link food intake to emotions, and despite your best efforts, I don't think you can completely prevent this with your children. I think the point maybe would be to make the associations with something healthier. For example, instead of a pizza party after a success, have a homecooked meal party instead.
One of my comfort foods (drinks?) is a cup of tea, which I'm about to go drink right now
In addition to what everyone else said, as my kids got older and were still nursing, I would often try to comfort them with other means first - a hug, soothing words, etc. Part of the very gradual process of weaning and also a means of offering multiple kinds of comfort.
With a 3 or 6 month old, I wouldn't hesitate to offer the breast each and every time baby is upset. Personally, after 12 months, I tend to offer other comfort first, but I don't refuse if DS requests to nurse.
I know among my siblings (5 of us) that my older brother and I are the only ones who have had struggles with being overweight and we are the ones who nursed the shortest time. He nursed 9 months and I nursed 3-4 months. The other 3 all nursed around 3 years and have never been overweight. I don't know if there is any correlation, but I think it's sort of interesting.
Also, I think especially once children are toddler/preschool age they are getting most of their nutrition from solid foods and most of their thirst quenching from something in a cup--water, juice, cow's milk etc. They are probably only nursing at bedtime or when upset. I imagine in this context they themselves would not associate the nursing with food or seek it out for any reason other than comfort.