only way to soothe is the boob

PaoPao820 · June 2014

Hi gals,

So we are approaching our one month mark with my lil guy, just a few days away! Breastfeeding is going extremely well except that I have an overactive supply and a forceful letdown which causes some gas issues but none that apparently cause him pain, just some fussiness and frustration. Recently we're having spit up issues where the quantity is greater coming out but again, nothing that causes discomfort or pain. I think part of this is because of his nursing when he wants to soothe.

He only seems to be able to soothe with the boob. If he's fussy, I can usually calm him for a little bit of time by walking with him, or rocking him, or changing positions for him, but usually he can only soothe completely to the point where he calms down, with the boob. He won't take a pacifier to suck on, he won't suck on his hand, and I don't use bottles. I want him to be able to soothe some other way so that he doesn't overeat while soothing himself by nursing. I'm not opposed to soothing with the boob at all and I want him to be happy but I also don't want him to be spitting up always. The Dr said that as long as he's not in pain or not uncomfortable when spitting up that it's not an issue health wise and it's more an inconvenience and nuisance for me... again, I don't mind cleaning it up and dealing with it but I just feel bad for him. I wouldn't want to be having stuff constantly coming up for myself so why do I want to put my son through that?!

Any suggestions would be highly welcome, especially on how I could possibly get him to suck on something other than the boob to soothe.

cmatteis · June 2014

I had the same issue with my little one. She refused a paci from me but around 5 weeks she took one from my mother. At about 6 weeks I was able to get her to take one from me. I would say keep trying the paci and if available have someone else try too, someone she doesn't associate with you and breastfeeding.

basil2 · June 2014

My first was very much like this - I don't really have any advice- fussiness usually is worst at 4-6 wks so hopefully it will start to improve soon.

sschwege · June 2014

With my first I was reluctant to use nursing to soothe, I was scared I would create bad habits, an emotional eater, I don't know. The second time around I decided that if DS was willing to take the breast I was offering. He was a much better sleeper at night and a more content baby overall, I attribute it in part to following his lead. DS did spit up a lot, but he was what the doctor called a 'happy spitter' which is not considered a problem and it never bothered DS. You could also try baby wearing as a soothing technique.

Just follow your baby's lead, you will all be much happier

MaybeKatie10 · June 2014

Swaddle (With arms straight down at sides) very tight, put some loud white noise on (Hair dryer, static, or vacuum sound words best at about the volume level of the sound a running shower makes when you're in the bathroom) and then put in a swing at the #6 speed after jiggling it vigorously for about 2 minutes.

Bam. Baby sleep. You're welcome.

bumpuser260585 · June 2014

My ds2 is the same way. Sometimes he keeps sucking because he is trying to work on passing gas bubbles. Try to burp him and see if that helps.

Peanutz21 · June 2014

i was reluctant at first to use the boob. i use the boob as my last resort (usually only at night) when the paci keeps popping out of her mouth and she won't calm down any other way. i wouldn't worry about overeating though. at least when DS boobs to soothe i feel a difference when she's actually eating and she stops after a few minutes

i try swaddling, paci, swing/rocking first - then boob

PaoPao820 · June 2014

Thanks ladies for all the advice... in the time since I wrote the original post, lil man started taking a pacifier! My husband finally got him to take it. Everyone else seems to have an easier time getting him to take it but I can still manage so I'm happy about that!

I also had a doula for my birth who I've checked in with a few times since then and she suggested that it was overfeeding happening after hearing all my symptoms. I've been feeding on demand and the soothe nursing has been leading to overfeeding I've felt like.... I started him on a 3+ hour feeding schedule Sunday and the spit up decreased somewhat and the grunting did too! I'm hoping with another day or two of this (of course I'll continue this past the two days) and he'll regulate himself and become much less grunty and much less of an all the time spitter! We seem to be going in the right direction though!

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