Feeding baby to sleep???

Hannah - posted on 02/12/2010

My daughter currently breastfeeds to sleep most of the time. She used to go to sleep by herself, but when she had a big growth spurt she fed so often that she started to fall asleep on the breast. Since then she continues to do so.

I tried to stop this by putting her to bed awake but she cried and cried.

In the end I would have to feed her again. After a while I just let her feed to sleep and I'm not worried about it. She will go to sleep if she's really tired but not hungry if I put her in bed and pat her and shoosh her.

I've spoken to many mums who feed their babies to sleep and they agree that it's not a bad thing. Some of them have older children who naturally stopped feeding to sleep on their own or adapted to going to sleep without a feed after a short time when they were older.

I believe that at 6 months of age, it's special that my milk can put my baby to sleep and we both enjoy it so it can't be wrong.

Emily - posted on 02/10/2010

Wanted to add.. nursing is not just about nutrition.. it is absolutely fine and natural for her to use nursing as a comfort tool.

Emily - posted on 02/10/2010

There is nothing wrong with nursing to sleep. It's not a bad habit. Treasure this time... she will not want to be nursed to sleep forever (she will outgrow it on her own).. and then you will wish she still nursed to sleep! lol it is probably the absolutely easiest and most gentle way to get babies to drift off to sleep.

Nicole - posted on 02/10/2010

I agree with Alyssa. There is so much she's going through at this stage with rapid growth, teething, and learning new skills, she probably just wants some additional comfort. My son eats throughout the night and it is certainly something he Needs - if it wasn't he'd be spitting it up bc their little tummys only hold so much. There are a lot of new studies out there regarding the ill effects of the cry "it" out method.

Im sure this phase will pass and she will fall asleep on her own again, but until then dont feel that there is anything wrong with tending to her needs - by doing so you are helping her to trust in the value of her needs, in your relationship, and that she is safe in this strange new world :)

Alyssa - posted on 02/10/2010

My daughter went through a phase where she would only fall asleep if she had a bottle (she started this at about 2 1/2months and it lasted until she was almost 5 months). Most of the time she wasn't even hungry, but she just wanted to suck (and she won't take a pacifier) so I would just give her 1-2ounces of milk so she'd fall asleep. My suggestion would be to keep trying to put her down and letting her fall asleep on her own, but if she gets very upset (I never let my daughter cry for more than 10 mins) pick her up and offer her your breast...eventually she will start falling asleep on her own again. This is what I did with my daughter and she now will fall asleep on her own everytime I put her in her crib without a bottle.



I would just give your daughter some time, she will probably grow out of this just as my daughter has...I think it's just a comfort thing.

Tracy - posted on 02/10/2010

she is associating food with sleep and that is a habit it's not something she needs. the habit will only get worse and you will have to do night feeding for a long time and she will never be able to soothe herself to sleep. at 4month and 14lbs baby's do not need a night feeding any more unless your doctor says otherwise. just make sure she is full before bed. as long as she is having 20oz or more a day she should be full for the night. The only way my baby learned how to put her self to sleep was to let her cry. good luck!