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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

OK remind me why it is so terrible to feed a baby to sleep..

38 replies

skidaddle · 04/08/2008 16:40

DS is nearly 8 months and I always feed him to sleep. To me it seems an easy and lovely way for him to go to sleep and i have no problem with it. However, I hear about how terrible it is from everyone around me I am starting to wonder if I should do something about it. Will he really never learn to fall asleep by himself? Will I really have a nightmare when I stop BF him and he has always associated sleep with a BF so can't settle himself?

Or should I just ignore this CONSTANT barrage of advice and carry on as I am? Any success stories warmly welcomed!

OP posts:
EffiePerine · 04/08/2008 16:42

IT ISN'T

loons

ignore

DS used to feed to sleep (naps and bedtime) now he has a story and a cuddle, in the cot and blotto

Shitehawk · 04/08/2008 16:44

It's not.

Dd fed to sleep until she was 2 ... never had any sleep problems since and she's 7 now.

He will be waking and settling himself during the night, so will be fully capable of settling himself.

Ignore them. You're not doing anything wrong - and it's none of their business anyway.

ComeOVeneer · 04/08/2008 16:44

Apart from dental issues, no it isn't terrible.

RhinestoneCowgirl · 04/08/2008 16:46

I used to bf DS to sleep - he was a terrible sleeper

My best mate who had a baby about the same time used to bf her DD to sleep - she was a fab sleeper

...so no real correlation there

FWIW when DS stopped bf to sleep at bedtime he still woke up during the night, and I'd been sold it as the answer to our sleepless nights!

It's lovely when they're all warm and milky and snuggly - if you're happy with it, don't stop

Housemum · 04/08/2008 16:54

if you're happy doing it it's not terrible (though any advice re dental issues please share?)

DD3 is my last so unlike others I feed her to sleep as I am enjoying the last time round of sleepy cuddles. Only would be a problem if I wasn't happy doing it (she will take a bottle as I try to give one every few weeks so I'm not tied to her and can go out alone/night out if I want to)

TinkerBellesMum · 04/08/2008 17:05

Whenever you ask yourself the question or someone else suggests it:

Will he ever...

Ask yourself this:

How many adults do I know who...

In this case:

How many adults need to breastfeed to sleep? (David Walliams doesn't count!)

onwardandupward · 04/08/2008 18:58

It's not a problem.

Oh, and there aren't dental issues. Breastmilk has to be actively sucked to get it out of the breast (unlike teats where it will dribble), so it doesn't pool in the mouth like formula milk.

Plus, breast milk contains lactoferrin, which kills strep mutans (the thing which causes tooth decay link )

So the feeding-to-sleep-will-lead-to-fillings argument ain't valid.

jeanjeannie · 04/08/2008 19:02

Is it a problem? Oh lordy - I hope not, DD2 is a dreadful sleeper it's the only way to get her off.

serant · 04/08/2008 19:28

I just thought it quite normal to feed your baby to sleep.. mine sleeps after nearly every feed!

I feel sleepy too after feeding, something to do with bf hormones,i think.

moondog · 04/08/2008 19:29

If you are happy and thebaby ishappy it'sfine.

Habbibu · 04/08/2008 19:30

Oh, it's terrible. You are doing all those people who write books about exactly how to raise a child out of a living by not listening to their rubbish advice. Shame on you.

cmotdibbler · 04/08/2008 19:31

It isn't a problem. DS always fed to sleep until he was 11 months or so old when he stopped doing it of his own accord.

FrannyandZooey · 04/08/2008 19:31

breastmilk is designed to put children to sleep
and mothers too

girliefriend · 04/08/2008 19:33

If baby isn't waking 20 times a night to breast feed back to sleep then he probably doesn't have too much of a problem self soothing and getting himself off to sleep! There isn't much of a difference between bf ing a baby to go to sleep and giving them a dummy imo, which millions of mums do and don't get grief about.

katiepotatie · 04/08/2008 19:41

it's not, I fed my LO to sleep right up till she was one She now has cows milk, story, cuddle then cot and sleeps soundly all night. If you are both happy, then that's all that matters

NoBiggy · 04/08/2008 19:48

When people say you shouldn't feed a baby to sleep, they actually mean

"myeuh myeuh myeuh myeuh I must express an opinion on this subject that I know nothing about and is none of my damn business anyway in order to appear interested and knowledgable".

But they don't say that in order to appear more polite (failed).

kittywise · 04/08/2008 19:50

it's not bad what a silly idea

AlexanderPandasmum · 04/08/2008 22:01

Thank goodness! I thought I was abnormal for feeding to sleep! I don't anymore (DS has a cup of cow's milk and then cleans his teeth, he's 17 months). Didn't take much to get him out of it. Just offered both for a few days (the cup first) and one day just went without when he was sleepy.

TinkerBellesMum · 05/08/2008 00:33

I remember reading those books when I was pregnant and thinking how it made sense... Then I had a baby!

I can't imagine why you would want to wake a baby that you've settled and then try to put it back to sleep??? Let sleeping babies lie I say!

RedHead81 · 05/08/2008 00:43

dentist came to the BFing group a few weeks ago and she said that when bfing the nipple is right at the back of the mouth and DOES NOT CAUSE TEETH TO ROT! thr problem tents to be more with other drinks taken from a bottle - juice for example, and whether the baby keeps the teat in his/her mouth for prolonged periods.

back to the question, DS1 BF to sleep until he was weaned at 15mths and is 3.8yrs now and NEVER had a problem with him sleeping or falling asleep by himself

googledoogle · 05/08/2008 01:07

Fed both my boys til they fell asleep. ds1 til he was four! now 7 and milk teeth just starting to come out without a single cavity in sight- never a thing needed at 6 monthly dental check up! Ensure good dental hygiene from an early age by giving a toothbrush instead of a toy! Breastfeeding is such a special bond for any child, and even if it (coincidentally) ends up with the odd cavity, I would far rather have a well adjusted, securely attached child! Feeding to sleep induces this in a child!

teafortwo · 05/08/2008 01:11

skiddaddle... be cool.... sounds like you are doing a fab job.... carry on and enjoy these precious months!

thumbwitch · 05/08/2008 01:16

glad I read this thread - I still bf DS (8mo) to sleep every night, and "dreamfeed" him if he wakes in the middle of the night - whatever else would I do? I can't imagine NOT feeding him if he needs it, and then he goes back to sleep when he's had enough.

I wasn't aware that there was any downside to this as I keep refusing to read books (although have just bought one) on childcare.

So I shall just carry on doing what I'm doing then.

TinkerBellesMum · 05/08/2008 01:20

google, we gave Tink a toothbrush with Calgel or Bonjela when she was teething, she quickly learned that moving it over her hurting gums stopped the pain. As she got older we put toothpaste on it and she knew what she needed to do with it. Now she asks if she can brush her teeth. The other day she couldn't find her brush and took mine instead. She always brushes with a big grin because she's so proud of herself. She hasn't quite got the idea of spitting the paste out, but she does spit in the bowl and she uses "mouthwash" (water in the mouthwash lid ) and spits in the sink after (although the water gets swallowed). I like to think I've set her up for good habits. I know people who say to hold them down and forcibly do it, but I can't see that's going to make them want to brush? I've followed a kind of BLW approach to a lot of things, letting her do things for herself and she's happy to do them because she feels empowered. She even does her own medicine (not pouring obviously) and even when it's a disgusting one she proudly takes it.

googledoogle · 05/08/2008 01:21

DEFO!!!!!!