Unless it is bothering you, comfort feeding or “using mom as a pacifier” isn’t harmful. New trends in sleep training are suggesting moms not nurse babies to sleep or for comfort, or warn it will become an unbreakable habit. Comforting an infant at the breast is exactly what breastfeeding is for, and is hardwired into our evolutionary biology.
It’s impossible to “spoil” a baby (in fact, looking back, the time goes all too fast!). Yet preventing a young infant from seeking natural comfort at the breast often leads to breastfeeding challenges later. Breastfeeding is primarily nutrient driven the first few months of life, but remains comfort driven for months and years after.
There is a balance between healthy contact-seeking babies versus those that become exhausting for parents because they have trouble settling even when being held. If mom has enough milk, and baby is gaining enough weight, then it is fine to introduce a pacifier. Many exclusively breastfed babies love pacifiers, and utilizing one can help distinguish holding/comfort sucking cues from hunger cues.
Another useful item for babies that require a lot of stimulation to settle themselves (i.e. they don’t just fall asleep after a minute or two in their bassinet) is a yoga ball. The bouncing and motion can be soothing for them, and can help save the backs of parents caring for these little movers and shakers of the world!
