Embracing Comfort Nursing: A Guide to Its Practice

Comfort nursing has been around since the beginning of time. It is only natural that a baby seeks warmth and comfort from their mother. Skin-to-skin contact is, in fact, one of the most recommended practices after birth, it ensures the bond is well established between mom and baby. 

There has been a lot of confusion in the past when it comes to comfort feeding for soothing, and traditional breastfeeding. Many believe they are interchangeable terms, but these two practices have very interesting qualities that make them different.

There are differences in how babies suckle depending on whether they are nursing for comfort or hunger. When a baby or toddler is nursing for comfort, their suckling motions are slower and spaced further apart. This is known as "flutter sucking." On the other hand, when a baby is nursing due to hunger, their suckling is usually faster and more intense. 

You can also tell if the baby is hungry by their body language - they are typically stiffer, and their hands will reach up to find the breast.

Cluster feeding and comfort nursing can sometimes seem like they serve the same purpose. After all, it often is perceived as a baby who constantly latches onto the breast and suckles.

Cluster feeding happens when a baby demands to be fed back to back, almost without any breaks in between. This involves far more frequent feedings than your regular 2-3 hour feeding schedule. It happens more often during the first weeks of life, as the baby gets adjusted to digestion and milk production. Babies who cluster feed are ingesting a significant amount of milk during each feeding, contrary to comfort nursing.

It should last a few days at max and stop to be replaced by regular feedings. Keep in mind that these can also come in episodes. As they grow and adjust to the multiple stages of growth, you might notice other cluster-feeding episodes a few weeks after the first one.

Generally speaking, comfort nursing will last throughout the whole infant stage. They will seek closeness to their mom until they grow out of milk and start preferring solids. However, there are a few important cues to follow if you want to know if your baby is hungry or seeking comfort. We’ll discuss them in the next few paragraphs.

These signs are generally easier to pick up, as they are instinctive for infants from the moment they’re born:

● Open and close mouth

● When you hold them, they keep turning their head towards your breast

● They suck on hands or fists persistently

● They appear calm and wide-eyed after a nap

● Rooting with a strong, nutritive suck

● Won’t stop crying after comforting them

They will usually stop displaying these signs as soon as they latch onto the breast or the bottle. After a few minutes of powerful sucking, hungry babies will gravitate towards sleep. A good burping session, and they’ll be ready for bed.

During a feeding, babies sometimes will show some signs that they’re truly after comfort:

● Arching their back and grabbing ears

● Looking into space while feeding

● Sucking gently at the breast versus vigorous sucking

● Flutter sucking or short little sucks

● Slowing down or stopping while staying in position

Once these start appearing, you’ll also notice they’re not consuming any milk, but merely enjoying the comfort of being close to mom.

A study found that nocturnal breastfeeding is different from daytime feeding. Breast milk produced and delivered at night contains traceable melatonin levels, suggesting its delivery straight to the baby. This creates deeper, easier sleep for children, solidifying the theory that their circadian rhythms are regulated to be closer to how we function as adults.

This translates to comfort nursing, too, mainly because the baby feels safest when it’s closest to mom. The small spurts of milk they might be getting during comfort nursing help, but it’s mostly closeness and body heat from the mother that contribute to the baby’s relaxation. This same principle can be applied to all bottle-fed babies; holding them close as they fall asleep will imitate this effect.

When infants grow, they sometimes require extra love and support. Some moms also experience an increase in milk production. This is normal. It will satisfy their need for assurance and safety and further solidify the bond between the two of you.

There are a lot of myths surrounding comfort nursing. Many believe this practice will “ruin” their baby’s behavior as they grow, or their entire sleep schedule will be a wreck if they rely on it. Luckily, all those myths can be quickly dispelled, and we’d like to present you with the facts so you can feel calm about comforting your baby at home. 

Due to its relaxing nature, sleep training primarily relies on providing comfort through a warm, safe environment. Babies learn to self-soothe first, then fall asleep on their own. Drowsiness comes naturally to them. No evidence suggests that comfort nursing hinders sleep training. It can promote easier sleep when used at the right time.  

This misconception is extremely common, but not the most common. If your baby is nursing normally and is not displaying any signs of hunger, you don’t need to worry about this. The signs and your infant’s intentions regarding comfort nursing are different.

Keeping your baby’s weight gain in check as they grow is vital. If you notice your baby isn’t gaining weight or reaching their developmental milestones, it might need some investigating, so it’s essential to consult your medical provider as soon as you notice something is off.

A lot of parents believe comfort nursing will make their baby extremely dependent on their mother. This is untrue and isn’t backed up by any research, so you can be at ease when providing comfort. Moreover, it will only strengthen your connection with your baby and help them develop stronger connections with loved ones as they age. 

If you notice your baby shows signs of hunger even right after a feeding, struggles to fall asleep due to hunger, or suffers from blisters and painful feedings, you might need extra support. Lactation consultants are a great way to evaluate feeding sessions and get feedback. They can also help you identify any underlying issues.

However, if your baby is not growing or gaining weight, you need to consult your doctor or qualified holistic practitioner immediately, as they might need extra supplementation depending on their condition.

Once your baby starts preferring solids to milk, you will notice them moving away from comfort feeding. This is nothing to worry about; you don’t need to worry about your bond.

The strong bond you’ve created with your baby will last a lifetime. They will seek your comfort and support throughout different stages of their lives.

A good way to help your little ones feel supported as they age is to introduce alternative soothing methods such as rocking them, singing a lullaby, or massaging their backs or tummies. These are all great ways to show them your love as they transition.

Older kids will require more conventional displays of affection and soothing, such as hugs and words of affirmation. They are as important as comfort nursing and will only strengthen your bond over time.

Seeking additional support can make the process easier and less stressful. Lactation consultants specialize in helping mothers with breastfeeding and can provide valuable guidance and support during the weaning process. They can help you develop a weaning plan that suits your needs and circumstances. 

Breastfeeding support groups are also an excellent resource for mothers who are weaning. These groups bring together mothers going through similar experiences and can provide a supportive environment to share tips, advice, and encouragement. By seeking out these sources of extra support, you can make the weaning process smoother and more successful.

Comfort feeding is, if anything, the first and most natural source of bonding with the mother. Newborns require closeness with their mom, and a big part of this comes from breastfeeding. They start to recognize the mom’s scent, heartbeat, and warmth before they’re able to take their surroundings in fully.

While there are multiple myths surrounding comfort feeding, the truth is that there is nothing inherently negative about it. Babies naturally grow out of it as they learn to self-soothe, relax, and fall asleep at their appropriate time. Nutrition is not impacted by comfort feeding, as they don’t ingest a significant amount of milk during these sessions. As long as they are breastfeeding, they should be perfectly fine with their regularly scheduled feedings.

The Milky Box offers comprehensive support to parents, from infants to toddlers and children up to three. Our goal is to be an excellent resource for parents who want to provide the best care for their little ones while ensuring their convenience and peace of mind.