Do babies comfort nurse when teething?

Understanding Comfort Nursing During Teething
Teething can be a challenging time for both infants and their caregivers. As babies grow, they typically begin to cut their first teeth around six months, although this can vary widely. During this period, many parents report that their little ones exhibit increased comfort nursing, a behavior that can be both soothing and alarming.
What is Comfort Nursing?
Comfort nursing refers to the act of a baby suckling at the breast (or bottle) primarily for comfort rather than for nourishment. This behavior is quite common and serves as a way for infants to seek solace and reassurance. It’s important to recognize that comfort nursing is not solely about hunger; it also plays a crucial role in emotional regulation and bonding.
The Connection Between Teething and Comfort Nursing
When babies are teething, they often experience discomfort due to the pressure of teeth pushing through the gums. This discomfort can manifest as irritability, increased drooling, and a desire to chew on objects. Many babies may turn to comfort nursing during this time as a way to alleviate discomfort.
Reasons why comfort nursing may increase during teething include:
1. Pain Relief: Suckling can provide a natural way to soothe sore gums. The rhythmic motion of nursing may help to relieve some of the pressure and discomfort associated with teething.
2. Emotional Security: Teething can be a stressful experience for infants. Comfort nursing allows them to reconnect with their caregiver, reinforcing feelings of safety and security during an uncomfortable time.
3. Distraction: The act of nursing can serve as a distraction from the pain, allowing babies to focus on the comforting sensations rather than the discomfort they are experiencing.
Parental Perspectives and Strategies
Parents often report mixed feelings about comfort nursing during teething. While some embrace it as a natural response to their baby’s needs, others may worry about potential over-reliance on nursing for comfort.
To navigate this phase, parents can consider the following strategies:
– Introduce Alternative Comforts: Providing teething toys or cold washcloths for babies to chew on can help alleviate some discomfort, allowing for less reliance on nursing.

– Monitor Nursing Patterns: Keeping track of nursing sessions can help parents identify if their baby is nursing for comfort more frequently and adjust accordingly.
– Stay Patient and Attentive: Understanding that teething is a temporary phase can help parents remain patient. Being attentive to their baby’s needs and responding with comfort can foster a strong bond.
Conclusion
In summary, comfort nursing during teething is a common behavior that many infants exhibit. This instinctive response serves multiple purposes, including pain relief, emotional security, and distraction from discomfort. While it can be a challenging time for parents, recognizing the reasons behind this behavior can lead to more effective coping strategies and a deeper understanding of their baby’s needs. As teething is a temporary phase, most babies will eventually transition away from this increased comfort nursing as their teeth emerge and the discomfort subsides.

Why is my baby comfort feeding so much?

They are comforted by the warmth, smell, delicious milk and reassuring sound of your heartbeat. Breastfeeding offers a lot of security too, whether your baby is feeling lonely, frightened, sad, cross, or ill at ease with a new situation. In the early days, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by your baby’s need to nurse.

How do I know if my baby is just comfort nursing?

If your baby seems to be getting enough milk, but continues to suck for an hour or more, your little one might be nursing for comfort rather than for nourishment. This is called non-nutritive sucking or pacifying.

How many let downs per feed?

The let-down reflex generally occurs 2 or 3 times a feed. Most people who breastfeed only feel the first let-down. The let-down reflex can also occur with stimulation of your breasts, such as by your partner.

Does teething cause comfort feeding?

While breastfeeding can continue well after the baby’s first teeth come in, the experience may change. First, your baby may be more fussy or irritable while nursing. They may want to nurse more for comfort or to stimulate their gums. Other babies are less interested in feeding because their mouths are too sore.

Do babies drink less milk when teething?

Many babies may want to breastfeed more often when they’re teething, for comfort to help soothe their pain. In some cases, babies can start rejecting the breast due to the discomfort from their teeth. Continue to breastfeed responsively, so if your baby is wanting more milk, it’s fine to offer the breast more often.

Do teething babies cry when feeding?

Your baby may be extra fussy when they’re teething, and eating may be more painful—causing them to reject foods they once enjoyed. While this can be frustrating at times, being prepared can help you overcome the challenges of teething while keeping your little one nourished at the same time.

How long does teething fussiness last?

Each tooth takes about 1 to 7 days to break through the gum, but the discomfort associated with this process can start a few days before this and then for a few days after. So, for each tooth, the teething process could potentially last for up to a week or two.

Do babies want to nurse more when teething?

If your baby is suffering with teething pain, she may ask to feed more often, possibly for quite short periods each time. If you are happy to feed her as often as she wants, then it can really help both of you to get through this tricky time.

Is it OK to let my baby comfort nurse?

And it probably made us question whether or not we are doing it right. Actually, allowing your baby to comfort suckle is very good and the best thing you can do! Here are reasons why: Babies go to the breast for many reasons.

Why does my baby want to breastfeed so much?

Many babies are fussier during growth spurts and will want to nurse longer and more often, as much as every 30 minutes. It may feel like all you’re doing is feeding your baby! But this is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with baby’s needs.