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4 month old needs boob to sleep in the day (sometimes) - is this entirely natural or a bad habit?

14 replies

RubyBuckleberry · 04/02/2010 16:36

DS is four months and is becoming more and more excited by the world. Consequently, particularly when overexcited or overtired he cannot settle, even if he is dog tired. He goes to sleep at night after his last feed at 6ish and wakes up a couple of times a night, which I don't mind - he glugs down milk (BF) and settles back to sleep easily.

During the day, however, when he gets really overexcited and cannot settle to sleep, I cannot seem to do anything but feed him to sleep. Sometimes he does settle on his own if I reassure him by a warm hand on his tummy etc, but then I can leave him and he will go to sleep with a few sleepy groans. I hold him and this used to make him calm and sleepy but he has taken to headbutting me and sort of fighting me so I put him down again, but he can't switch off. If I feed him, however, he is so tired that the first let down happens, he glugs it down in minutes, and then he falls asleep. I can then easily put hm in his cot, he stirs, but will fall asleep pretty much straight away. Clearly this is entirely natural, and very useful! but I am wondering if I am setting myself up for problems later on. Or is he hungry, and if so why won't he fill himself up at the feed he had an hour or so before!

Wise words from MNers very welcome.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
nickytwotimes · 04/02/2010 16:38

Seems pretty normal.

My ds was ff and was pretty much the same - needed milk or a walk to settle him in the daytime. If he can self-settle a bit at night, things are going great!

He just doesn't want to miss out on the fun.

nickytwotimes · 04/02/2010 16:39

And no, I don't think it is a bad habit.

Napping is always a bit of a carry on for all but a few. Night time sleep is more important and he sounds like he is doing great there!

MrsKitty · 04/02/2010 16:41

Normal - don't worry about it.

Flightattendant · 04/02/2010 16:41

Ruby,

I can hardly believe someone is asking this - absolutely ALL due respect to you, of course! But please, please tell us who has inferred to you that a 4mo can have 'bad habits' regarding how much he needs to feed...or just have boob for comfort...this is totally, totally how it ought to be.
Do Not Fear!!!

Babies change ALL the time. They need us, they are not even aware that they need us, they just do...he is tiny...he will be FINE. Feed to sleep is what I still do and mine is nearly 3!

moondog · 04/02/2010 16:42

No such thing as a 'bad habit' at that age.
Your body is warm, sft familiar and comfortable-it's more than just a feeding machine.
Perfectly natural that having it close helps to settle him. He's onto a good thing.

RubyBuckleberry · 04/02/2010 16:42

thanks nickytwotimes, sounds reassuring, he won't really sleep beyond 45 minutes either unless i go in and feed him and then basically sleep on the bed next to him - then he will zzzzz for and another hour or so! but that is another story!

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Flightattendant · 04/02/2010 16:43

Trust in nature...it is easy and useful for a reason

nickytwotimes · 04/02/2010 16:44

Oh, enjoy the sleeping next to you thing.

That is FAB!

Flightattendant · 04/02/2010 16:44

(you might like to try co sleeping, as welll...it is way easier than getting up out of your own bed to go and lie next to a baby several times a night!)

RubyBuckleberry · 04/02/2010 16:44

thanks people!

flightattendant, i think it must be from all the hideous routine books in which feeding to sleep seems to be a cardinal sin!

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Flightattendant · 04/02/2010 16:46

Ah...yes. That is why we hate the books well lots of us do!

Good luck, try not to worry...you are doing fine, listen to your instincts and to the baby and you'll be great.

RubyBuckleberry · 04/02/2010 16:47

that's what i thought, but people (in books) make out like its not a good idea.

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RubyBuckleberry · 04/02/2010 16:48

x posted, thanks flight...

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ShowOfHands · 04/02/2010 16:52

Can you imagine if feeding to sleep didn't work? Gawd, my dd wouldn't have napped. I would cross out bad habit and put 'brilliant trick'.

Enjoy it. My 2.8yr old still feeds to sleep sometimes. It's really very lovely indeed.

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