https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 00:27:58 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-685593 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:41:30 +0000 iheartleopardprint 685593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a big believe in following what your baby wants. I do not agree with sleep training or CIO at all. </p> <p>I tried sleep training and CIO at the recommendations of other with DS and I feel like it interfered with the bond we had. He did respond to it and settles on his own etc at about 6 months onwards, but at 18 months he hit a bad patch where he needed us. We just followed his cues and in a few weeks he had a better relationship with sleep again.</p> <p>Now with DD who is 7 months old, she sucks her thumb to sleep most times and I do not care in the slightest. I follow her cues and just go wight he flow with her, ie no routine, and she is the happiest baby.</p> <p>Do what works for you and H! She is only little once, and it's not like she will nurse to sleep for the rest of her life! Most things like that kids grow out of in their own. As long as she is happy and thriving it doesn't matter how she gets to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683814 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:30:11 +0000 anbanan15 683814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS nursed to sleep for 21 months...every night up until the day he decided to go to sleep without nursing and that was it. He also comfort nursed this entire period, but he really needed the extra calories. We do struggle with sleep but I believe that is for other reasons (mainly his reflux and we can tell a difference if he falls asleep without his meds) and not because he needed to nurse to sleep or comfort nursed for so long. </p> <p>Do what works for you and your LO. I stressed for so long that we were still nursing to sleep and other people stopped when their LO was only a few months old. That wasn't an option for us and it doesn't matter anyway really because what we were doing worked for our situation and that is all that mattered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683794 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:23:02 +0000 mediagirl 683794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know you have a ton of responses to this already but my response is, so what? :) I nursed my lo to sleep for 5 months, I think? Then she decided she didn't want to nurse to sleep anymore, she wanted to be rocked to sleep. After that, we were able to get her to go to sleep on her own in her own crib.</p> <p>She made these transitions on her own. We helped her fall asleep on her own in her crib but after 3 days, it was like she had decided it was her idea.</p> <p>If you like nursing your lo to sleep and she likes it too? I advocate to keep doing it. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683790 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:21:23 +0000 mrsjyw 683790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i don't think it's the devil! we nurse every night before bedtime. sometimes he's asleep sometimes he's drowsy sometimes he's awake and then falls asleep. bedtime nursing session is my fave time and it hasn't affected his sleep associations negatively at all.</p> <p>do what works for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683786 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:19:45 +0000 Sammyfab 683786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think nursing to sleep is bad at all...until it becomes a problem and your LO can't sleep well without being on the boob. If that never happens (then you are super lucky!) then nursing to sleep is a beautiful thing between mama and baby.</p> <p>My LO stopped falling asleep at the boob really early on and nursing wasn't a calm, relaxing experience for us although it was still bonding. I am super thankful that anyone and everyone can put him down for a nap and bedtime! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683755 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:10:02 +0000 Pink Champagne 683755@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to be able to put my son down for bed without nursing, but once teething started, he just could not get comfortable without a little nip of the boobie. Now, it's the fastest way to get him back to sleep if he wakes up in the middle of the night.<br /> I personally say, whatever works for you. It won't be for forever- that mom who nurses her 3 year old to nap is definitely an exception- so I would continue. I personally love those little quiet moments rights before bed and yes, even in the middle of the night, especially now that I'm back at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683734 Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:59:09 +0000 oahujeni 683734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 15 weeks and i still nurse him to sleep. Sometimes he is completely zonked out and other times he is just drowsy. It works for us and he just started being able to fall asleep on his own if he doesn't pass out while nursing first. It works so im not going to stop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683347 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:39:57 +0000 travelgirl1 683347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: A is just a few weeks older than H and we're in the EXACT same situation. I have to nurse her down for every nap and bedtime and no one else can get her down to sleep because of that. Our doctor told us to let her CIO but we just can't, at all. She cries so hard if she wakes up and anyone else but me goes to get her (I guess because she knows they don't have the boobs)and even that is so heartbreaking. So we plan to carry on nursing her to sleep, it's just so comforting for her. Tonight she grabbed a handful of my top to smell while she nursed, then held onto it with her other hand and she was obviously so comforted by the whole experience. I know in an ideal world she would go in her crib drowsy but awake but that's not even close to happening so I don't think nursing to sleep is the devil. If it works for you, I say keep doing it : ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683346 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:38:38 +0000 sarac 683346@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rainbow Sprinkles: Amen. I literally will never understand why someone would choose not to use such a powerful tool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil/page/2#post-683335 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:33:26 +0000 Mrsjets 683335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with everyone, do what works for you and that baby! Obviously it's natural! I also nursed DS to sleep until he was 4 or 5 months. You'll know when she's ready or ready to be trained...always trust your momma gut! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683315 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:07:19 +0000 Mrs. Pen 683315@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly think it's something that you ONLY have guilt about because of online advice and books that say you shouldn't. I think that it's a natural reaction for a breastfeeding mom to nurse her child to sleep, but now it's turned into mommy guilt as supposed experts say you'll spoil and corrupt your child by doing so. BULL!!!</p> <p>I know one mom in particular who nursed her two children to sleep for naps/night time until they're three years old and they learned how to fall asleep on their own just fine and she said they are AMAZING sleepers and always have been and she wholly attributes it to the fact that she just followed her motherly intuition instead of listening to others advice. </p> <p>You're the mom. YOU decide what works best for you. Don't ever let someone else try to tell you what's best - especially a book because they don't know you or your baby. You do. Do what feels natural and right :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683310 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:02:51 +0000 pinkcupcake 683310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's fine. I nursed my LO to sleep all the time, and at 13 months, I still do :) Around 9 months or so, I did start to keep her awake during the final nursing so that she would be put into her crib awake but drowsy. </p> <p>Nursing is the final part of our night time routine. As soon as we put on her sleep sack and sit in the rocker, she'll start to yawn and nuzzle into my chest. We nurse for about 10 minutes or so before she starts to look sleepy :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683268 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:38:05 +0000 wheres_c 683268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: ooh thanks for that! Such an interesting link. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683250 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:28:38 +0000 googly-eyes 683250@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: I felt so much pressure to do what I was "supposed" to be doing, but it turned out that the sleep cruches my LO used (swing mostly, paci) she outgrew on her own. I just did what worked and when it wasn't going to work anymore (swaddling, swing, etc) she let me know and the transitions weren't bad. I was still very big on trying to do good sleep habits around that (routine, kept trying the crib over the swing at least once most days) and she just outgrew things on her own! It's about what works for you and H! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683244 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:27:28 +0000 honeybear 683244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I comfort nursed my LO until he was almost 2.5 years old and nursed him to sleep for close to 2 years. He's 2.5 years now and totally weaned as of a couple of weeks ago, all on his own initiative. I don't think you're crazy! Yes, nursing to sleep will make your life a little "harder" in the short run, but remember that it really is the short run--these days (nights) will be the distant past soon! :) </p> <p>Also, kellymom.com is a fantastic resource! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683241 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:26:18 +0000 mrskc 683241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Don't feel embarrassed!</p> <p>I nurse my son to sleep every night. I used to for every nap too, but just recently I've been able to rock him or use the paci. He's 5.5 months. Only in the last couple of weeks have we been able to start putting him down drowsy and he'll fall asleep on his own. It doesn't always work either. It doesn't bother me and it's working for us right now. So I say, if it's working right now, no need to change it. I also really look forward to our nursing session before bed. It's very relaxing and about the only time he'll let me cuddle with him these days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683236 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:23:33 +0000 littleveesmommy 683236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed DD to sleep until she was almost seven months old (and also for naps when she had difficulty) then slowly began putting her to bed a little less asleep. It progressed until I can put her down and she rolls over to fall asleep (after I nurse her, that is). We've regressed a bit these few weeks where I have to pay her a bit with separation anxiety kicking in again, but naps she still falls asleep on her own. </p> <p>I don't think comfort nursing or nursing to sleep is bad - I think it creates a trusting bond and baby will no longer need it when he/she is ready. =)</p> <p>DH also had concerns about this but he is one with what I did now in hindsight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683228 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:20:13 +0000 PrincessBaby 683228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone! I feel like not nursing to sleep is what I'm "supposed" to do! I was even a little embarassed to admit I do it! I'm so glad so many of you agree that it's natural and beneficial!</p> <p>I showed DH the kellymom article and the one from @zipplef and he admitted that maybe the way we're doing it isn't the end of the world! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683220 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 21:16:59 +0000 shopaholic 683220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've read enough that comfort nursing is not bad and good for baby, mom, and bonding and thats what I'm going with! At least for now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683110 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:20:09 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 683110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If boobs weren't supposed to be used to comfort a young child, then why the heck did God make them so comforting? In my opinion, it is biology and totally natural. We were created in such a way that we can comfort our babies with our bodies. It is no fluke that babies are comforted by nursing. Not only is it for nutrition, but comfort as well.</p> <p>DD is eleven months and we nurse to sleep for naps. I love that time with her. She puts herself to sleep at bedtime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683096 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:14:16 +0000 T.H.O.U. 683096@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: we weren't doing CIO before a year and always nursed to sleep. Wasn't a big deal for us but I also was up with her at night (DH couldn't help). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683086 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:10:01 +0000 hellobeeboston 683086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We nurse to sleep every night before bed, I think it's ok! Mine also will not take a paci. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-683066 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:02:33 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 683066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I nursed my LO right before bed every night before he started weaning after 12 months. Granted, it didn't put him to sleep after maybe 6 months or so, but it didn't set him up for any bad habits. Just part of our routine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682821 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:43:20 +0000 sarac 682821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have nursed my 18 month old to sleep almost every night of her life. We also do a lot of comfort nursing. I was never interested in ignoring such a useful tool in my arsenal. An I really love doing it - it's such a lovely way to bond. If it feels right to you, do it! Forget what people think. The trouble it has caused for me is drastically smaller than the benefits. </p> <p>When mine was a little older we were able to start working on a daddy bedtime routine. Now I nurse for a bit, then if she's sill awake her father snuggles her to sleep. Works beautifully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682809 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:37:04 +0000 sorrycharlie 682809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a tension increaser too! I nurse her every night before bed, sometimes she falls asleep and sometimes she doesn't. however, it always fills her belly and relaxes her enough that 9 times out of 10, there's no crying if I put her down awake. </p> <p>she's 6 months old now - she has definitely grown into being able to go down awake, so no worries! nursing to sleep isn't the devil :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682743 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:54:43 +0000 mrsmenow 682743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't nurse/fed any of my girls to sleep, but they have all taken pacifiers. We also have never CIO either. We have tried to create a calm sleep routine from the get go and it has worked really well for us. </p> <p>How does she fall asleep for your nanny? I know sometimes babies respond differently to different caregivers so if you wanted to break the habit maybe Dh and your nanny could take over naps and bedtimes and see if she falls asleep differently for them. During the night I would get LO up and feed her right away thinking that is what she needed. When I went back to work DH would re-swaddle and sooth and she would sleep through the night. Here what I was doing was not really the best (don't tell DH,lol) and from then on she has slept through the night.</p> <p>That all being said each baby and family is different so if you are ok with it and it works, then go for it. As long as you are ok with being her crutch for an extended period of time, I am sure there will come a point when she out grows it. </p> <p>Holy shmokes that was a long post:) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682737 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:52:12 +0000 loveisstrange 682737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: My good friend has a baby exactly like that too! C was like that until like 3-4 months old but she outgrew it. Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682723 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:46:50 +0000 PrincessBaby 682723@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@zippylef: omg, H is a total tension increaser!!! Thank you for that! I have also had to put her down so I could go pee before my bladder exploded and in just those few minutes, she was screaming bloody murder!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682710 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:42:18 +0000 loveisstrange 682710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PrincessBaby: Have you ever read this article?</p> <p><a href="http://www.askmoxie.org/2011/01/tension-increasers.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.askmoxie.org/2011/01/tension-increasers.html</a></p> <p>H is probably just one of these kids. I think theres only so far that other's experiences can take you. C is very much a "tension releaser", so what works for us is probably not going to work for you and H. </p> <p>I say just trust your gut and do whats working for you. I will say that C was like that when she was tiny. I would have to rock her completely dead asleep and put her down or else she would throw a fit. She eventually outgrew it and we were able to do "drowsy but awake". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/comfort-nursingnursing-to-sleepis-it-really-the-devil#post-682707 Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:41:26 +0000 PrincessBaby 682707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh and just to note, H pretty much STTN, except maybe once a week or 2 weeks when she has a random 3 or 4 am wake up and goes back down after a 10 min topoff on the boob...maybe that's why I don't think it's so horrible bc I really don't have to be that inconvenienced in the MOTN. </p>