Breastfeeding Baby to Sleep: Is It Really That Bad?

“Don’t nurse that baby to sleep or he won’t ever fall asleep on his own.”

If you ever nursed your baby to sleep, you’ve probably heard this well-meaning (but totally wrong) piece of advice.

I mostly knew this advice was misguided but there were those times–like when my child wouldn’t go to sleep after nursing for 45 minutes–when I start to doubt my ways.

Did I create a monster? Should I have avoiding nursing my son to sleep even though it’s what he wanted/needed?

Don’t feel bad if you nurse your baby to sleep and the situation works for you. Emphasis on you–not your mother, your aunt or some stranger at the grocery store. If you’re happy, continue with it.

All children put themselves to sleep eventually. It’s a developmental milestone they reach on their own, at their own pace.

If, however, nursing your child to sleep isn’t working for your family (it’s making you resentful, you’re feeling exhausted, etc.) then try to slowly transition baby to put herself to sleep. Nurse her until just before she’s asleep. Then transition to nursing her until she’s relaxed.

Incorporate reading a book or singing a song into your bedroom routine. Try to get your child to a comfortable place where she feels secure enough to fall asleep.

This transition may take a while, so be patient. In tough times, remember that children grow up fast and this too will pass.

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