Comfort sucking - how do I stop it?

[Happygolucky12]

My 2 month old baby comfort sucks after every feed and when she is upset (this is frequent as she seems in pain every time she poops or has a wee) it is the only way I can stop her crying. It means I am struggling to do anything as she is nearly always attached to me and this getting me down, my nipples are also getting sore again. I spoke to my HV about it and she advised that I limit each feed to 15 minutes each side and then hand the baby to someone else. However I don't have anyone to hand her to, I live along way from my family, my husband works away and my friends all work. Any advice? I am considering giving up breastfeeding it is so bad but I don't want to as I don't know how to comfort her without it.......

[GaryBarlowsTaxReturn]

Have you tried a dummy?

[Oly5]

Dummy, walk in the buggy, jigging up and down. It will get better. Just check though - is she definitely getting enough milk from feeds? I thought my DS was comfort sucking but turns out our latch was a bit rubbish and he was still hungry

[Happygolucky12]

Sorry - should have mentioned that she refuses a dummy.

[Happygolucky12]

She has a good latch and is putting on weight. I don't think there is a supply problem, I checked this with the HV. Thanks for you suggestions though x

[PineappleScrunchie]

I'd be careful about limiting the length of feeds at 2months. Sometimes they need to feed all the time to up your milk production as they grow.

It is really very normal to feel like baby is constantly attached for the first three months or so.

[mama0got0moves]

My DS comfort sucks. At first it really annoyed me because I felt like he was permanently attached to the boob. But now at 12 weeks he is a lot more efficient and I can tell once he's done feeding. So I decide if I let him carry on sucking. If I'm relaxing in front of the TV I usually just let him carry on as I don't see the harm if it's soothing him. Also I think it's helped being able to use the boob as a comforter when he's worked up. I read articles which talk about the importance of comfort sucking. It helped me change my mindset about it and now I enjoy knowing I'm soothing my baby.

[1stTimeRounder]

Probably a stupid question but have you tried different dummies?. I find the Mam ones best as they mimic a real nipple better than avent for example. We have a few of each but only use the avent ones when none of the mam ones are clean.
The Mam ones come in a box that you use to microwave sterilize them, might be worth seeing if your LO would take the dummy better when it's still slightly warm from sterilizing (obviously be very careful with this!). Also get the glow in the dark ones as they are great when trying to get them back in in the middle of the night.

I know one friend who literally shoves the dummy into LOs mouth as she takes him off the breast. Took a bit of perseverance but he now takes it easily enough.

Also When your LO is peeing they are in pain; has that been checked too? My DS cried sometimes before a poo but not with just a wee.

I hope something works for you. It sounds like quite a trying time for you right now especially with no family or help nearby

Good luck x

[TableMirror]

I'd see your GP if you think she's in pain every time she has a poo or a wee.

You have to 'train' them to use the dummy, eventually they learn to comfort suck on it by it's not immediate.