soothing with nipple

[Anonymous]

DD is 13 weeks and is easily soothed with nipple (not pacifier, not her hand). I don't want to create a bad habit. I"m also concerned about what will happen when I'm not around and she's with a sitter or family member. At what point should this be stopped?

[Anonymous]

When you wean, imho.

[Anonymous]

that's why we call it the magic booby at my house. honestly, if my guy wants the nipple, then that's what we give him. When I'm not there, then somethign else will have to do.

[Anonymous]

There is nothing wrong with this, EXCEPT the potential it has to really disrupt YOUR life. And, IMO, that is an important consideration.

As you've noted, it can cause problems with the babysitter (or with your husband).

The other problem it can cause is "all night snacking" marathons -- ask me how I know? Where your child wants to have your nipple in his mouth all night. It can really prevent you from getting any sleep.

Having been through this before, I would never let it happen again. it was a nightmare to correct!

If I were you, I wouldn't allow it. "Comfort nursing" is different. But if he's not eating, don't let him sit around with the nipple in his mouth. Cuddle him, hold him close, but use a pacifier if he needs to suck on something.

[Anonymous]

I unfortunately had a very low supply and was very depressed for a while about this and now use my nipple as a pacifier whenever DS is upset. I was also concerned. He has now started daycare and transitioned just fine without the nipple.

[Anonymous]

it's fine so long as you're fine with it and, as a PP noted, aware that it could mean much more wearing nights for you than might be the case if you chose not to go this route. For me, I breastfed but didn't want to be DD's "pacifier". I have another friend who had no problem with it but her DS was one of those babies that liked to breastfeed to soothe, including for long stretches at night. This became very very tiring on her when he was still waking up a lot (not just once a night or something to eat and go back to sleep) by 10 months and she was the only one who "could" soothe him back to sleep.

[Anonymous]

Honestly soothing with my breast was teh best thing for both me and baby. He sleeps with me for part of the night and I was able to get much more sleep because I could just pop the magic booby in his mouth and go back to bed. It was also good for maintaining my milk supply. Having him attached and next to me did not interfere with my ability to sleep. It worked for us. Really, just follow your instincts, they are always right for your own situation.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the previous poster, go with your gut on this one. If it works for you, don't change it. Eventually baby will outgrow this need. If it's not working for you, then do your best to find other things to comfort baby, but be prepared for tears as your finding these other things.

That said, when the all night snacking/sleep devravation got to me (around 5 months I actually started halucinating from lack of sleep) I switched to night feedings with bottles given by DH or very kind friend who stayed over to help. This gave me a week to sleep and gave baby a chance to learn other ways of being soothed. And now she still uses nipple for soothing, but also other things (singing, patting, rocking).

[Anonymous]

I am not OP, but curios how 13:58 poster broke the habit with all night nurser. DD is almost 7 months and co-sleeps so nurses most of the night. She also has her thumb to pacify and uses that during naps. Just curious when and how I should transition.