Why my boobies aren't just for food
**Trigger warning for ignorant folks who sexualize breast feeding**
Today my sweet baby bumped his chin on a table in my living room, par for the course having an infant who is totally mobile. He started crying right away and crawled over to me on the couch. I picked him up and hugged him close and he began tugging at my shirt. No, he wasn't hungry or thirsty. He was hurt, sad, and scared and wanted some comfort. So I nursed him, just for a minuet because that's all he needed. He immediately calmed down after latching and I wiped his tears away. When he was done, he got down and went back to playing. Some people would say, "You're being used like a pacifier!" But I say no! Does he carry my breast around everywhere he goes? No, he doesn't.
Click the image to check out my favorite breast pads
Breastfeeding provides comfort, contentment and relaxation to babies. Breastfeeding can also calm and reassure them. Non nutritive suckling, also known as "comfort sucking" is as important to any baby, as the nutrients received from breast milk.
It's normal. healthy, and developmentally appropriate to nurse your baby to sleep and for your baby to comfort nurse. If breastfeeding your baby to sleep and to comfort him/her works for you and your family, keep it up. Breastfeeding is not just nutritional in its value, it is also nurturing.
So I say... soothe your baby the way you see fit. Because remember, you are babying them... Because they are your BABIES.
