She's jsut looking for comfort - your breasts are well designed to give it She's so little she probably is getting the hang of day and night still. It just takes time for them to settle into things. If you can, getting outside in the daylight during the day can help, as will keeping things dark adn quiet at night.
You can try a dummy if you want to, it's really up to you. There is a risk of nipple confusion which can lead to problems attaching to the breast - just be aware that it's a possibility.
The other thing is they do normally spend a lot of time at the breast feeding and comfort sucking, especially in the early weeks adn this is both totally normal and beneficial both for your baby (there are important emotional/pyschological benefits) but also for the establishment of your milk supply. Sometimes using a dummy can interfere with this process. Again, just something to be aware of.
In the early weeks it's all just trial and error as you find your way. One day one thing works, the next it's something else. It's ok, that's how you get to know your baby and learn how best to mother them.
Thank you for all the advice. Every night DH says 'Give her a dummy' (at midnight when she is crying). And I really dont want to, I actually feel a little guilty contemplating one! I do have quite a stash of them though, all got given to us as presents, and I do see we have some of the cherry ones you girls were talking about.
Last night I just offered her the breast and she was happy to suck for comfort, and when I needed a break, DH held bub and bub sucked his finger.
I will stick to my gut instinct and not give her a dummy. She is just so little and still working out the world, so I will give her time to adjust.
As I write this,I'm watching my little baby suck on her first dummy.after being up with bub since 4am,she is finally going to sleep with the dummy.Actually,she just spat it out,and is fast asleep.I tried the breast this morning, she had been on nonstop since 8:30am and my nipples couldn't stand the pain any longer.
I feel so guilty and sad that I have to give her a dummy.I really hope it doesn't affect breastfeeding,especially since we haven't gotten the hang of it yet.it is a cherry shaped one though,so I really hope she doesn't get nipple confusion.
There is a reason why she is so unsettled and I think she has reflux.I asked the paed about it at her discharge app from hospital and he said it was to early to diagnose.will ask about it again and her next app.
Last edited by Summertime; June 4th, 2011 at 12:23 PM.
MadB, yes I have a sleepy wrap, and will give this a go tomorrow during the day when she wont settle. Thanks for the tip.
I hope tonight isnt too bad, for some reason it seems worse of a night time? Or maybe thats because I wish I was sleeping....
early days summertime, early days! She'll settle better with a bit of time, it's all so new for her now - even day and night
Make things as easy on yourself as you can - hope the wrap helps.
My Mum has been saying "think its time for the dummy" to me, but I really didn't want to personally either, I don't know why, I know they aren't 'bad' or anything, but just had a gut feeling and didn't want any chance of nipple confusion. Go with your instinct as a Mummy.
I have been ready Pinky's book she says sometimes they want to cluster feed in the evenings, and lots of times when your trying hard to settle them after a feed and they won't, instead of taking them into a dark room and rocking them, try putting them back on the boob instead. I tried it with my baby and it works well, means he gets more of the hind milk too so he tends to sleep better that night. When I need a break I give him to DH because he doesn't smell of milk and can sometimes settle him easier in between.
It also helped with my milk supply, the comfort suckling helps build it up.
She's so little she probably is getting the hang of day and night still. It just takes time for them to settle into things. If you can, getting outside in the daylight during the day can help, as will keeping things dark adn quiet at night.
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