Addicted to breast to calm down

[Nadene]

My 6 week old will only calm down if she is put to the breast even if she's not hungry. How to break this bad habit?

[triceratops]

Sorry if this is not the answer you wanted but I think a 6 week old can't have a bad habit. They want the breast all the time in my experience. If it is driving you mad you could try to get her to take a dummy. Will she settle in her pram if you take her for a walk?

[Ruthiebaby]

My son is nearly 6mths and I still use this method to help calm him. I don't think it's a bad thing.

As triceratops said, maybe try using a dummy. This also helps my son. But also, she's only 6wks, babies LOVE being put to the breast at that age.

[hunkermunker]

Tiktok posted beautifully about this the other day - baby in question was three weeks old and it was about sleeping in a crib, but I think it probably holds true for your baby (hope Tiktok doesn't mind, but here it is):

"And what is wrong witn being a comforter for your little baby? What a lovely thing to be Three weeks ago she was inside you. She was surrounded by you, close to your voice, tasting you and aware of your presence 24/7. Why would she prefer the crib to being close to you (or her dad)? She is learning to communicate this need to you, and this is her way of 'talking' to you. Your job is to listen, and respond, and to feel good about doing so - you are teaching her that the workd is a good place, and that she has loving parents who are there for her."

[CarolinaMoon]

6 weeks is a bit of a funny age I think - ds cried a lot then and seemed v unsettled, but it sorted itself out.

It's not a bad habit.

Ds still calms down most quickly if put to the breast and he's 9mo now. Great for when he falls over and bumps his head while trying to stand up!

[Fran1]

My dd only stopped doing this when she was two!

Enjoy the lovely cuddly times while they last - i no longer get a look in!

And don't let old grannies upset you by telling you about their little angels that only fed four hourly, blah blah blah Its a conspiracy, they are all lying!

[spidermama]

I'm with triceratops that a 6 week old can't have a 'habit'.

Also they have growth spurts and need to build up your milk supply (by sucking) so are sometimes on for ages.

It's perfectly normal and it won't go on for ever. You'll find at about three months that your milk, and baby's sucking, settle down. Feeds become much quicker as you're producing better and baby has learned to suck well.

I would say put the work in now, and you'll be glad you did.

[moondog]

'bad habit'??!!
She needs you nadene!!!!

How wonderful that you can calm her. Feel proud!!

[Nightynight]

nadene, all my breastfed babies did that. I was just sooo thankful that I had a magic way to calm them down!

dont worry about it - she'll grow out of it!

[WigWamBam]

Agree that 6 week olds can't have habits, let alone bad ones. She's still a newborn, she needs to be able to be close to you and be comforted by you - and sucking is comforting.

[Nadene]

she really has a strong desire to suck - uses my little finger a lot but won't take a dummy. any advice on how to do this/

[jolly4]

i remember nadine just sitting on the couch all day some days just offering my little one the boob and at times felt like a milking machine this happens go with it and relax they dont stay babies forever