Alternatives for baby comforter other than my nipple?!

[Summer2021]

Not sure if this is unusual but does anyone else’s baby just want to suck on the nipple to fall asleep?

I’m finding the only way to settle my baby to sleep is to co sleep and allow her to suck my nipple!!!! I’ve tried pacifiers but she can tell the difference and doesn’t take to it.

I’ve had to give into this due to not getting any sleep during the night. If you can sympathise with this, do you have any tips on how to stop baby from using your nipple as a comforter to sleep and suggest alternatives?

I can see that I will struggle when I go back to work if I keep allowing her to do this.

[Seb9]

How old is baby? I found my little one used boob less and less as a comforter during the day especially once she's started on solids at 6 months, I went back to work when she was 8 months old and she only fed in the morning before I went to work and when I got home in the afternoon and at bedtime. The rest of the day she just had food and water.

I still let her feed to sleep until she weaned because it worked well for us and she's go to sleep far quicker.

[Summer2021 in reply to Seb9]

She is 12 weeks. She wil suck the nipple only without drinking milk to sleep at night and does not do this during the day. It’s almost as if she needs to suck the nipple itself to sleep.

[Seb9 in reply to Summer2021]

At 12 weeks, you're going to definitely be her favourite thing to soothe on and that's totally normal, right now she doesn't know you two are separate beings, you and her are still one.You could try using your little finger if your nipple needs a break or to see if you can use that to transfer her to crib and then remove it when she settles. My choice was to go with it in the day, I spent a lot of time watching Netflix and letting baby sleep on me and at night we co-slept. She'd let go naturally when she was in a deeper sleep and after a few months Co-sleeping I was able to once she was asleep move her into her crib.

The best way I found if getting more sleep during this time was giving her, her early evening feed, giving her to Dad on the sofa to hold and going to bed about 8/9pm he'd then keep her downstairs on him till she woke for her next feed, then he'd bring her to me. I would sometimes be able to sleep from 8 till 12 which then made me feel better able to do that night shift bit which I'd started to dead. He'd also get up with her before work if we'd had a bad night and put her in her pram and walk the dog or while he was getting his work stuff ready so I could stay in bed up till he left, which sometimes just made all the difference for me. Just that extra hour sleep so I could face the day. If your partner can't do the evening shift, could a friend or family member come over? Just to give you a few hours sleep? It does get better and they do start getting more independent xx

[Fifikween]

Have you tried different shaped dummies? I had no idea the teets came in different shapes and sizes until I had my baby. My baby was the same when he was newborn and wanted to hold my nipple in his mouth for comfort. I wanted to avoid using dummies at all but after three days I caved. I hope you manage to find something that works for you so can get some proper sleep!

[Claireeeeeeeeeeeee]

I agree with what Seb9 said. 12 weeks is still young and it doesn't mean it will always be like this. I would add I also tried lots of dummies not a single one was liked by my daughter.

[Jess994]

I found the tommee tippee nipple shaped dummy amazing. My little one was the same and we started using it from 4 weeks old. He takes a bit of time to accept it but once he does it really helped

[Sevy571]

Have you tried offering your little finger? I did that occasionally for a few days, before introducing the pacifier, which he took no problems. I read that the finger is closer to the nipple in shape and texture so it's a good transition to trick them into using a paci. Without a paci, many babies do need contact to fall asleep and some need to suck, that's normal... and exhausting. Best of luck.

[Emdog87]

My little girl was exactly the same, she would just want me as a dummy. As much as I loved the bond with her I found it difficult. We would co sleep but I found I could never really get into a deep sleep with her next to me. She too wouldn’t take the dummy at first but I tried different shapes and we firstly would hold it in for her and she eventually got used to it. It definitely helped with putting her down in her cot and she could soothe herself then.Good luck. X