Help! Feel like a human pacifier

[mama17]

Hi. I am new to the board and a new mommy to a 4 week old daughter. Breastfeeding has been going great since day 1 (even despite a short stay in the NICU where I could not nurse for 2 days due to needing to calculate input/output but was given breastmilk in bottle and only a little formula to supplement). However, lately it seems that all she wants is me when she is awake. I thought of growth spurts but sometimes she isn't even eating. She will sometimes comfort suck to sleep or just lay there with the nipple in her mouth with no sucking. I am able to provide this comfort to her now but I will be returning to work and don't want her to get used to this.

Any suggestions or has anyone else gone through this? Thanks!

[whitnessforhim]

Yes, there are a lot of mommies on here who have gone through this and I am sure they will post soon!!

I couldn't get DD back to the breast until around 4mo. so I never noticed this issue. However, this is a very common newborn behavior and it will get much better with time. Although it probably is quite annoying at times it really is fabulous for your future milk supply.

I'm going to let others more knowledgeable then myself give you some advice...but just wanted to say hang in there and yes this is normal!! :hug:

[whitnessforhim]

bumping

[ima062002]

But our nipples/breast are MEANT to comfort as well as to nourish. Just because you are going to go back to work doesn't mean that you need to deny her what feels good to her now. She will adjust to whoever is taking care of her when you cannot be around and will relish the times she *will* be able to spend with you.

IMO it is nonsensical to withhold what works and what the baby wants (and what is readily available) in the hope of teaching the baby to satisfy her needs in a different matter when what she wants is not readily available. Babies don't get that IMO. They live in the here and now and they are also smart in distinguishing between mommy and someone else.

So I would let her comfort suck to sleep and maybe try to disengage if she is asleep and just keeps the nipple in her mouth. She'll adjust once you are going back to work (it might take a while but that's to be expected with any young infant who has established a strong bond with her mom) - humans are awesome that way :).

[Nipple_nectar]

I would have to agree with Ima, I would let the baby nurse non-stop, if that is what she demands:) Remember, that is how your baby will bump up your supply to meet her nutritional needs.

She is growing at such a fast rate and her tiny tummy (the size of her fist) holds very little coupled with the fact that breastmilk is perfectly digestable and runs through her system very efficiently and quickly, so, she is getting hungrier quicker;-)

Hang in there nursin momma! The first 8 weeks are grueling as it seems all one does is nurse, nurse and nurse some more! Get yourself a sling and learn to nurse her while on the go, then you can at least stroll around while nursing and get a little done.

The other thing is get that side lying nursing position perfected, if you haven't yet, it will get you much needed rest and give baby plenty of time at the breast while you watch TV or perhaps surf the net from a laptop.

When my LO was first born, I treated myself to a laptop since I was laying in bed 8 hours or more A DAY!!! nursing~ yikes, thats alot.

[mama17]

Thank you ladies! It helped to hear your input and I will plan to continue to let her lead the way. However, I have noticed that my nipples are a little tender. I am using the lanolin. Anything that I should look out for to prevent cracked, bleeding nipples?