Community› The Bump Message Boards› Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
New Discussion

Nursing to sooth

blue_elleblue_elle member
edited March 2014 in Breastfeeding
I was perusing some sites MOTN and came across and article on a parenting site (sorry, closed browser and don't know which) that said you should not offer the boob just because baby is crying. Now obviously I should remedy the cause when possible - diaper, clothing, temp, etc., but the ability to sooth him by whipping out a boob when he's fussy sure is handy.

Any legit reason not to offer just for soothing?

ETA: My only concern with this is if DS could begin to rely on the boob to be calmed. DH already has a hard time soothing him when he's fussy and I don't want to make that worse. I do need to leave the house sometimes :)
-----------------------------------------------------------------

mutt_zps2fb5f039-1_zps7220f27c
BFP 11.8.12 * EDD 7.17.13 * MC 12.20.12
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
 photo bump_zpsf1e8435c.jpgRIP Post Count
 
Report Reply to Post

Re: Nursing to sooth

  • cinderincinderin member
    My ds was so fussy that we tried anything and everything. Sometimes the boob worked, sometimes it didnt. Those first three months were desperate times!

     Anniversary
    When you've been married this long, you need a ticker to remind you.

    Baby Boy M - 08/01/2013 

    Expecting Baby Bean February 2017
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • kjsmith9kjsmith9 member
    cinderin said:
    My ds was so fussy that we tried anything and everything. Sometimes the boob worked, sometimes it didnt. Those first three months were desperate times!
    This.

    And agree with the first response about "why fight something that works?"  We always used nursing to sooth if she would take it.  Now I can put her in the crib at night and she puts herself to sleep (she's 15.5 months).  And she's not a needy "I need mommy to make me feel better" toddler during the day.  

    Plus, nursing to sooth helps your supply!
    Report Reply
  • RingOfFire11RingOfFire11 member
    I fear how this will effect my DH when I return to work. He will be home with her a few days per week and obviously doesn't have the boob to soothe her. We try all other routes first but many times, the boob is what does it.

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Report Reply
  • ns1ns1 member
    The only issue I found with nursing to soothe early on is that DD would stay on for a while and not necessarily want milk, but she got it!  And then she'd puke it all up.  So that wasn't always too great.  But if that's not an issue and you don't mind it, I'd say if it soothes the kid, have at it!
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers 
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • eves1989eves1989 member
    I did comfort nursing when LO was very young but surely it didn't last for long. I also agree with PPs that DH and other people will find their own way of pacifying your LO. It takes time so just hang in there.
    Report Reply
  • VitaLunaVitaLuna member
    For those worried about H being able to soothe... I was worried about this, too. He really struggled to calm her down when we were both home (and still does sometimes). When I went back to work, the first couple days were rough, but he learned his own technique for soothing and getting her to nap, which is different than mine, but works for both of them. Same thing with my mom who watches her during the day. Babies learn who they can get what from.

    image

     

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Report Reply
  • RidgebackmomRidgebackmom member
    DH rocks to sleep and I nurse but put him down awake. MOTN is different, he wants nothing to do with rocking or paci--he wants the BOOB!!! I feel like this is becoming a problem. I need more than 2 hrs of uninterrupted sleep. (so does he)
    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers

    CafeMom Tickers


    Report Reply
  • MrsBigTimeMrsBigTime member
    There is no right or wrong answer to this. And certainly no "legit" answer to why you shouldn't nurse for comfort. What does your mama-heart say? Do that!

    You baby is so little, so there really isn't a thing as "too much breastfeeding" in my opinion. The 4th trimester, and really, parenting in general, is all about survival and whatever it takes to bring peace into your home - whatever it takes! As long as it's working for you and your family, go with it!

    Anniversary g
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
     
    BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • LisaLisa1980LisaLisa1980 member
    Sometimes reading too much interferes with our own instincts. Just do what works for you! There is no right or wrong. Your baby won't be nursing forever. I comfort nurse DS & if someone tried to tell me to stop.... Well, I'd ignore them ;)
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"