Issue with Comfort Nursing

[HeatherLS]

My almost 7 week old son likes to comfort breastfeed. He will not be consoled by anything else. I have even tried a pacifier. He only takes it sometimes. He is now having trouble sleeping for any long period of time because he wakes himself up if he is not on my breasts. However, the main issue is that he becomes frustrated when trying to comfort nurse because of the milk still flowing out. I am not sure of what else to try. I have tried many things to make him sleep without comfort breast feeding, but he cries so much and gets worked up. I go back and forth with the breast and pacifier and this sometimes works, but soon the milk is too much and he gets frustrated again. He ends up spitting up often. Some days are better than others but the last 4 days have been really hard and I cannot just let him cry it out because it is just way to upsetting for him and me! If anyone has suggestions or has been through this please help. I don't know if this will pass or he eventually will realize the milk is always going to come out and just accept the pacifier... or do they eventually learn how to comfort nurse and figure out how to regulate the flow of breast milk?

[bamamom]

BTDT. its tough. My kids got SO ANGRY when they'd get milk instead of just sucking.

Keep trying the pacifier. My dd was 11 weeks when she realized a Soothie Pacifier was GREAT. You can even snoop the internet and try a vanilla scented soothie, find the little turquoise teal ones. Try also swaddling with the paci resting on the edge of the blanket. It will help him find it and not lose it so often.

[momto4plus4]

BTDT. DS is 3 months and STILL won't take a pacifier. He would take it sometimes until around 8 weeks when he completely refused. When I put it in his mouth now he'll immediately gag. I keep trying but Nope. DS1 was the SAME way!

We've also struggled with the getting milk frustration. My milk supply has finally regulated more so comfort nursing isn't such a big deal but that didn't happen until around 10 weeks.

We have a miracle blanket for swaddling and a swing (my last 3 have only done a side-ways swing). He sleeps in the swing. He slept on me (sitting up) the first 6 weeks but I had to quit skin to skin co-sleeping by 3 wks because he'd expect to nurse if he touched or smelled my skin.

Shshing has really helped mine calm down as does patting and walking/bouncing. I couldn't really do that much with my c-section this time so Dh had to but I don't remember him needing it as much super early-on. He was pretty content.

I hope things calm down soon for you. I understand how frustrating it can be. DS2 is the only one who did this with comfort nursing. I'm finding that he also is the one with the biggest temper!!! Hmmm, personality????
Don't really have an

[Ldogg]

Have you tried using your pinky finger? DD LOVES to suck, and also gets frustrated when trying to comfort nurse and gets milk. To boot, I have an overactive letdown and a huge supply (though that has eased off at this point, DD is almost 4 months old and my supply regulated a little while ago).

DH and I use the pinky finger a lot--she prefers it to the paci, which is hit or miss. And it's kind of nice because it's a live human being on the other end. Just make sure you try it with your fingernail side facing her tongue... DD would usually spit out our finger if we tried fingernail side facing the roof of her mouth.

[HeatherLS]

Thanks for all the advice so far. It is helpful and gives me some hope. I have ordered the vanilla paci and have tried a few other suggestions. He used to take our finger, but no longer will. I am glad to know my breast milk will probably regulate.

Just one more question. Do babies ween themselves off the comfort nursing or do I have to that eventually? I know every baby is different, but just wondering your experience. Thanks again for your comments.

[momto4plus4]

Good question. Dd1-only comfort nursed when we'd been apart for any length of time then was only a snippet as to say "you're mine". Ds1-had allergic colitis and comfort nursed until around 13 months then quickly weaned himself of that-his was a different case though because of the health issues and he wasn't allowed solids until 10 mths. Dd2-I don't remember her comfort nursing. Ds2-I think he'll be comfort nursing for a long time!!! So, I just shared my experience which probably didn't help answer your question at all! lol

[Katie T]

BTDT as well, by DD2 was 6 wks when she would finally take a pacifier and then 6 wks after that fund her thumb. Have you tried you finger or his fingers/thumb?

It is hard, but he will figure out boobs bring milk wether he wants it or not

Hugs, I hope it gets better soon!

[HeatherLS]

Update for others with this issue

My son is now 4 months old. I was able to work on stopping the comfort nursing at 3months. I started to unlatch him after I was sure he had enough food and then my husband or a friend would take him right away and hold him or distract him or rock him to sleep. I did this for several days. Then I worked on putting him down in his own bed for naps. It took work and he cried at times for a bit and I soothed him with a paci and put my hand on his belly. My husband also helped with this. Now we are both sleeping better and he seems so much happier. He took a paci just till he drifted off, but now he often spits it out. Time does make it easier. As they get older they are more interested in the world and not just your boobs! Hang in there to anyone struggling. It does pass and sometimes a little work on your part helps it along. I now feed him when he wakes up and make sure he is full with both breasts. This helps. Then I just feed him in the night a few times and he goes right to sleep without fussing. There are times he still does comfort nurse, like when he is sick or had his immunizations and then it takes a day or two to get back to the routine (make sure you give extra holding and loving time if you reduce the comfort nursing. I liked to think I was showing him I loved him in many other ways) Speaking of which... The routine really helped. Set bedtime(he made) and a little evening ritual like a song, etc... Good Luck!