10 month old using me as a human dummy?

[thecatwiththesilveryfur]

DS has been ill for what seems like ages now (tummy bug, virus, ear infection, etc.) and he's taken to feeding for a really long time (up to an hour, if I let him). Historically, if he fed when he was tired, he'd go to sleep on me, but now, whilst he seems to be sleep feeding, the second I take him off the nipple, he cries his heart out. It seems to be the sucking that is comforting him - do I need to start giving him a dummy? He's never had one before because he never needed one when he was little, but I'm red raw from his marathon sucking sessions and I hate having to take away his comfort!

Any thoughts?

If it’s actually comfort in relief from pain Calpol might be the answer. If it’s comfort in wanting to know you are near obviously that wouldn’t work. You could try a dose of Calpol. Could be the illnesses or could be teething.

It can’t hurt to try a dummy, it’s horrible when they just chew on you. I do think it’s probably a pain thing though. Ear infections are especially painful, try some paracetamol.

Thank you both so much for the advice. I should have said that because he's had a horribly high temperature for about a week now, he's on maximum doses of both calpol and ibuprofen (with doctor's approval). So while it's possible he is still in pain, there isn't much more I can do about it, iyswim?

I think it's more a sleep thing, tbh. He's been sucking for half an hour now with his eyes closed, having woken up from his nap and been distressed; I think he's trying to keep himself asleep, but for some reason he's lost the ability to do it without my nipple in his mouth!

I’ll suggest the usual: have you tried a sling? Maybe he is super tired and wants to sleep - this might be the way to help? I know you can’t do that at night but see if it helps in the day. Poor baby. And poor you!