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minxynzl
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Topic: Human Pacifier! Posted: 16 February 2011 at 9:28pm |
Hi all.
I have a 2.5 week old (19 ears after first son!)
I have realised that he is using me as a human pacifier. ie - He only goes to sleep by himself by falling alseep on breast.
Essentially he wakes....he feeds...he plays...he gets tired and scratchy....he comfort feeds/sucks and falls asleep. I then transfer him to bassinette and hope he stays alseep.
Any suggestions for helping him self settle?
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HippyMama
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Posted: 16 February 2011 at 9:41pm |
At 2.5 weeks old it is totally normal for your baby to want to use you as a 'human pacifier', breastfeeding is not only about nutrition but comfort, especially as they are still adjusting to the outside world.
If it is not causing you any trouble I see no harm in feeding to sleep, their stomachs are still so tiny and frequent feeding is still at the top of their priority list. If he was feeding to sleep and then waking immediately then I'd look at other methods - rocking, music, etc.
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Mama to two earth walkers & two angels.
Remember, you are not managing an inconvenience; You are raising a human being. ~ Kittie Franz
Next Slingbabies! Meet - Friday 4th May !!
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Jaune
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Posted: 16 February 2011 at 9:54pm |
They're only up for such a short time at that age that it's really common to fall asleep on the breast. Often you only get time to change their nappy and feed them and they're asleep again. At that age, 45-60mins is all they can really manage.
I wouldn't worry about the 'human pacifier' thing until 12 weeks, but that's just me. I'm all for the 4th trimester and helping the baby to adjust to the outside world as easily as possible...
For us, we just did what worked for DS for the first 12 weeks and he can self-settle (about 80% of the time) at 4mths old.
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yermasyada
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Posted: 16 February 2011 at 10:22pm |
Agree with the others  For the first few weeks they're like wee limpets and always falling asleep on the breast
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Lucky apple
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 8:23am |
I agree with the others too...don't stress about it at this age! Enjoy the cuddles :-)
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newme
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 8:53am |
It is normal. Just go with it.
Your title makes me laugh though! A pacifier was designed to be a substitute for the real thing - a nipple! So your bub just knows what is best :)
Also, all the sucking will be building up a good milk supply which is very important. In the first 3 months I think it is important to give your baby whatever it needs, whenever it needs it. 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' is a great book to read.
Self-settling will come later. Your baby is so young still.
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Red
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 9:11am |
Yep - enjoy the cuddles. I started trying to get DS to settle herself from about 8 weeks.
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caliandjack
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 11:02am |
If its not a problem for you then enjoy it, it you don't like if offer him a dummy.
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jazzy
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 11:13am |
I think that's part of the job description, lol
As he is only NB I would just go with it if you can, & it can be hard all of a sudden tired to the couch & a baby when you are used to rushing about doing stuff but enjoy the sit down & cuddles the time will come soon enough when you have a sleep routine you want.
Congrats by the way
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MamaT
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 1:51pm |
Yep, very normal. My DS still uses me as a dummy a lot.
I believe it is great for establishing an awesome bond and as hila said, it will be doing great things for your milk supply too.
Sit back, relax and enjoy those beautiful newborn cuddles.
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minxynzl
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 4:24pm |
Thanks guys.....all this endorses what I had hoped - that I am not building a troublesome breast/sleep association. The real issue for me is that he does this during day - nights are fine) and I do find myself tied to him and unable to do anything else. But I shall suck it up, accept it's short term and get some good DVD's! ;)
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Danda08
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 4:47pm |
Agree with the others and just wanted to add you could try wearing him in a sling (most enable you to BF) so you could get stuff done.
I suspect with such a new baby though that the enforced rest time for you is probably a good thing
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ElfsMum
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 4:51pm |
i have no good advice just this happened to me and it wen ton for months although weirdly at night he would self settle a lot of the time..anyway at 5 months he just stopped doing it and started self settling so there is hope:) i know it seems like forever in the land of no sleep and stress though!
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Emmecat
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 6:32pm |
lol Minxy, at this early stage you SHOULD be sitting on the sofa, resting and watching bad daytime tv while you feed W.  May I recommend Jeremy Kyle? He's sooooooooooo bad he's good lol
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minxynzl
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Posted: 17 February 2011 at 9:33pm |
Thanks guys! All good points!
Emmecat - JK AND Judge Judy! Boom! ;)
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