Many will say that nursing to sleep is a BAD habit, a sleep crutch, or you are spoiling your baby. This isn't necessarily true.
At Lovebug, we believe that every baby and every family have unique needs. Ultimately, we're all about being consistent, & finding the right *safe* sleep method to help your family thrive.
Let's talk nursing to sleep🤱🏼:
Nursing to sleep is not a BAD habit. Nursing to sleep *is* a habit for baby. A habit that requires *a lot* from mom and dad to keep it kind and fair for baby.
Baby's perspective:
"I LOVE to fall asleep in mom's arms where it is safe and warm. But often when I wake up, mom isn't holding my anymore. Its confusing, it's not as warm, and nursing is the only way I know how to fall asleep!" *baby wakes and cries* "Mom where are you? Something isn't right! Come help me fall back asleep!"
Can you imagine falling asleep in your bed, and then your bed disappears when you wake? Confusing!
Mom's perspective:
"I'll nurse my baby to sleep, then gently place baby in crib & sneak out. Baby is down = mom's time for 🛀🏽💃🏻📺🍷👩🏾💻. When baby inevitably wakes up and cries, I'll watch to see if baby will self-soothe and go back to sleep 🤞🏻🤞🏽🤞🏾."
The struggle here is that self-soothing to sleep is a learned skill. If baby is is typically nursed to sleep, they have only learned to fall asleep while nursing, so they can’t self soothe (not easily at least).
What to do:
if you plan to nurse to sleep, in order to keep the nursing to sleep habit kind and fair for baby (not confusing), mom should plan to be present for all of baby's calls between sleep cycles (every 30-45 minutes). When you can be there for them throughout the night consistently, nursing to sleep is a kind habit, as the rules are clear for baby.
Typically, this habit is easiest to keep up with for families who decide to follow *safe* co-sleeping practices.
The reason most consultants shy away from this habit is because it's too demanding for many parents in modern day busy lives, and the parents accidentally become inconsistent with nursing to sleep despite every best intention💜.
Pictured: beautiful momma Amanda, & sweet Lovebug baby Bo 🥰
Is Nursing to Sleep a BAD sleep habit for my baby?
May 2, 2022
Your Lovebug Team
Nursing to sleep should not be considered a BAD or GOOD habit. That judgment entirely depends on your family. Learn about the consequences.
Lovebug, LLC
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