4mo has never comfort nursed

[Still_Learning]

I used to think DD wouldn't comfort nurse because the flow was too strong and hoped that as it evened out and she grew older that she'd start nursing for comfort, but no.

She nurses for 5 minutes, pops off and won't take it again until she's hungry 2 hours later. (She's huge, gaining just fine)

I'm worried that she'll wean early because of this. Is there anything I can do?

It stinks because I can't nurse her to sleep, she's never fallen asleep at the breast. Plus, I don't get those 20 or more minute breaks that nursing forces you into.

[tessie]

Some don't. It's just the way they are.

[isabchi]

When my DS was little 3, 4, 7, 9 months old, I was scare that He's going to wean early, because He doesn't nurse for comfort. Now, He's 14 mo. and nurse less often and shorter than my first, but He still loves to nurse. I'm not scare about early weaning anymore. Every child is different!.
Best!

[_betsy_]

Both of my girls are/were like that.

My first was all business and stopped nursing to sleep around 6 months. She nursed till I was 2 months PG with #2 around 20 months old, not bad considering I WOH FT.

DD2 is going strong at 9 months old, almost entirely EBF (like 99.9%) and shows no signs of slowing. She's always right around the 50th percentile for weight at WBV.

Both of my girls are intense, high-needs babies (though #2 is not as high needs as DD1). They just want to eat and be done with it - too much to do to sit around nursing all day!

[nurturebaby]

do you think you have a strong let-down? If so, there are things you can do to help - perhaps it would make her feel more comfortable at the breast when she's just looking for comfort and not looking to drown

Check www.kellymom.com - I think they have some info there.

[pumpkinhead]

My first was not a comfort nurser at all. I weaned him at 12 months (didn't really know any better). He would occasionally fall asleep while nursing though.

My second was a reflux baby and a huge comfort nurser, but I can count on 1 hand how many times he nursed to sleep in the 3 years I nursed him. Even as a teeny newborn he'd nurse and then would need to be rocked or bounced to sleep. He never fell asleep at the breast.

I wouldn't worry. They're just all different .

[iwoodeb]

i am right there with you

I just did a search for this exact situation and found your thread. My first daughter (now 5) nursed frequently. It was great, if she was tired, I could nurse her to sleep. If she was fussy, I could nurse her to calm her down. Nursing was the solution almost anything. When she weaned at 2 1/2years, I missed that parenting "tool."

My 4 month old has not once nursed for comfort. She has never fallen asleep at the breast. I offer the breast often and she latches on for 1-3 seconds and then cries. If she is hungry she will nurse for 5 minutes and is done. Trying to go to sleep is difficult - it is usually me restraining her and switching constantly between breast and pacifier until she gives up crying.

I feel like I don't know how to mother her and it is frustrating and discouraging.

[Louisep]

Don't worry! It's totally normal. My DS never comfort nursed either at that age (or even now during the day) and we're still going strong at 9 months. He's also a fast nurser and I used to have a strong flow (that's evened out now). In fact, some would be envious of you - just take a look at the nighttime parenting forum where many mothers are struggling because their baby will ONLY fall asleep nursing!

You're doing great.

[henny penny]

I understand. Ds was not a big comfort nurser. It was all about FOOD for him. He recently baby-led weaned at almost 2 years.