Feeding to sleep

[CasDk]

I breastfeed my 7 week old to sleep every single time day and night. I love it and it works, but I've been told to start getting him to soothe to sleep in other ways. What are others' experience of this and am I creating a rod for my own back when he is older? I feel like he's only 7 weeks old and don't want him to miss out on the comforting element of feeding to. Thank you!

I would say 7 weeks is really early to be thinking about that. Just do what works for you and baby for now and think about routines and self soothing later on. I started putting my DS down sleepy but awake for the odd nap and at night about 10ish weeks. But it was very sporadic and I didn't put too much pressure on it. He is 8 months now and mostly self soothes but sometimes needs a little help.

You'll find your way. One of mine fed to sleep happily, one of mine rarely did due to reflux and two (including my current baby) fed to sleep but wouldn't let me put him down afterwards, so around 2 months I gradually encouraged him to go to sleep more often with the sling, swing and buggy. All of mine fed to sleep often at bedtime until I stopped feeding them around 18 months.

It's only a sleep problem if you or your baby have a problem with it! If not, carry on. If you do, or if it isn't working so well once he starts waking up more, the No Cry Sleep Solution books (including a newborn version) are very gentle and breastfeeding-friendly.

If you love it and it works, keep doing it! Its a naturally great way for babies to fall asleep. Have a look at The Milk Meg on Facebook, she talks a lot about breastfeeding and sleep.

You’re fine! I BF my 12 week old to sleep every time. It works. I don’t really think you can expect a 7 week old to self soothe, they need to feel close to you to relax. The drowsy but awake thing is developmental and will come with time. Sounds like you’re doing really well.

Still doing it at ten months. If it ain't broke don't fix it

It's a load of crap. Do what works for you. It's entirely natural and normal for babies to feed to sleep. Some babies will go down sleepy but awake and others will need breastfeeding and/or cuddles to get to sleep for longer.

Your baby has been inside you for 9 months. Now it is out in the big, cold, noisy world. For at least the first 3 months (google 'fourth trimester') they need to be super close to you much of the time. This will gradually lessen as they grow. You are not making a rod for your own back, you are doing what your baby needs you to and on top of that you are ensuring a good supply. That long evening feed where they suckle on and off at the end is great to keep supply up. Long as you are happy and your baby is happy then what everyone else thinks really means very little. I don't know why everyone wants to rush and push mums into trying to make their babies as independent as possible as early as possible. It makes no sense. They are little for such a short amount of time. This post I found to be really helpful.

Both mine breastfed to sleep. One for longer than the other. In both cases when I'd had enough I transitioned them away from it using tips from the website I linked you to. It's beautiful that you love it, don't let others make you feel guilty

Just keep doing what you’re doing. It’s easy and you get to sit down and have some peace. When they don’t need it anymore, they don’t need it anymore. Both of mine were fed to sleep every time until they were happy to go to sleep in other ways (between 6-9 months). Enjoy it while you can.

It's way too early to worry about that.

I fed my baby to sleep for over a year and she adjusted straight away when I weaned her. No problems.

Making babies Independent at a very young age. Imagine 7 weeks old they need attention from time to time and comfort them 24/7.

Thank you all! Great advice and reassurance. I knew I should just follow my instincts! Thank you

Instincts win, EVERY time!