Breast as a pacifier

[whitnessforhim]

Why shouldn't a mother let their baby use them as a pacifier?

[AnaSola]

Because it creates a very bad habit on babies. Besides the breast are for feeding the baby and give them the nutrition they need. If a mother want to comfort her baby, she can place it close to her breast but always with them covered up. You can give your baby lots of love all the time, as it is the most rewarding thing we can do to our babies. However, our breast are for nursing and providing nutrition to our babies.

If we let them use our breast as a pacifier... the results can be exactly waht you are experiencing, which is not been able to get a good night sleep. Also if the baby get the habit to use you as a pacifier, once you try to remove it from the breast... he will get upset, cranky, irritated and cry a lot. Which I'm sure no Mom wants to see her baby like this.

We must not confuse "nursing our babies for nutritional purposes" to confort our babies using our breast. We confort our babies by giving them a lot of love and carrying them in a baby sling, which is a wonderful thing to do and I highly recommend it. But nursing should be only for nutritional reasons, if not... well, you can see yourself experiencing the problem you are experiencing right now my friend.

believe me, I know what I'm talking about because I did that same mistake many years ago with my son. I used to let him on the breast for as long as he wanted, wether he was nursing, sleeping or just conforting himself. it was only when he was 9 months of age and I had terrible pains on my back for sleeping on one side as it was the only way to keep my breast inside his mouth. As soon as I try to move away... he will cry like crazy and so there was Mom letting him to use my breast as a pacifier.

I created a terrible habit on him that cost me a lot, as is not been able to sleep correctly for 9 months. I learned the hard way my friend. Since them, I always advice my clients not to let their babies use the breast as a pacifier.

Of course this is just my own personal advice...

much love

Ana Sola

[whitnessforhim]

I always thought breastfeeding was so much more than just providing my child with nutrition. It is an emotional bond that no one else in this world will every experience with my child. I respectfully disagree. I don't see breastfeeding as being used for "nutritional purposes" only.

Also how is a mother suppose to know the difference between a growth spurt (where baby will need to nurse frequently to up supply) and being used as a pacifier?