Maya Lott, IBCLC

As an IBCLC, I hear it all the time — “My baby is using me as a pacifier.”  “I feel like she’s just comfort sucking; she’s not actually getting anything.”  “He wants to breastfeed ALL the time; I can never get a break!”  And I get it, being trapped by a baby who never seems to settle on their own can feel so overwhelming.  But is “comfort sucking” always a problem?  The answer may surprise you.

What Is Comfort Sucking?

Comfort sucking — also called non-nutritive sucking — is the light, rhythmic sucking a baby does when they’re not actively feeding for milk.  You might notice your baby flutter-sucking, relaxing their body, or drifting toward sleep.  This behavior is normal, healthy, and biologically expected.

Babies may comfort suck at the breast most commonly, but also on fingers, clothing, or pacifiers.  From birth, sucking is one of the strongest reflexes babies have — and for good reason.

Why Babies Comfort Suck (And Why It’s Important)

1. Emotional Regulation & Nervous System Support

Sucking is one of the earliest ways babies calm their bodies. Comfort sucking helps:

• Lower stress hormones
• Steady heart rate and breathing
• Regulate an overwhelmed nervous system
• Transition into sleep

Your baby isn’t “just using you as a pacifier” — they’re settling into the world the way nature intended.

2. Bonding, Attachment, and Connection

Comfort nursing provides closeness, warmth, and a safe place to regroup.  Babies thrive on connection, and time at the breast supports secure attachment, emotional resilience, and parent–infant bonding. Even when little milk is transferred, the relationship nourishment is priceless.

3. Oral & Facial Development

Non-nutritive sucking plays a role in shaping the developing palate, proper growth of the jaw, and strengthening the muscles used for feeding and speech. These small movements add up significantly over time, laying the foundation for skills they will use for life.

4. Learning to Coordinate Feeding

Newborns are still learning the rhythm of sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Comfort sucking helps them practice regulating milk flow and develop feeding stamina in a low-pressure way.

Is Comfort Sucking Ever a Problem?

Most of the time, comfort sucking is completely healthy. But it’s worth checking in with an IBCLC if:

• You’re experiencing nipple pain or damage
• Your baby isn’t gaining weight as expected
• Nursing sessions are extremely long and baby remains fussy
• You’re feeling overwhelmed or “touched out”

These are all solvable problems, and getting support early makes a big difference.

How to Support Healthy, Sustainable Comfort Sucking

1. Follow Your Baby’s Cues

Responding to your baby’s need for closeness helps them feel safe and regulated. It also supports your milk supply and feeding relationship.

2. Use Soothing Alternatives When Needed

Comfort sucking doesn’t need to fall entirely on feeding sessions. In addition to “sucking”, use the other 4 “S” techniques for soothing baby, including:

• Skin-to-skin: holding your baby naked against your (or another caregiver’s) skin
• Swaddling: wrapping your baby snugly to mimic the feeling of being in the womb
• Swaying: rocking your baby gently
• Shushing: using calming white noise to settle their nervous system

These aren’t replacements for comfort sucking at the breast, but they can give you a break when you feel touched out and overwhelmed, especially when another caregiver can step in.

3. Protect Your Body and Boundaries

Your comfort matters too. If you need a break:

• Adjust positioning
• Switch sides
• Offer breaks during long sessions
• Take care of your own hydration and rest

Healthy feeding is a balance — baby’s needs and yours.

4. Reach Out for Support If Something Feels Off

You don’t need to power through uncertainty. A visit with a skilled lactation consultant can help identify whether your baby is comfort sucking because they want to or because they’re struggling to latch or transfer milk efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Comfort sucking is a natural, beautiful part of early bonding. Babies aren’t manipulating, demanding too much, or forming “bad habits”. They’re communicating their need for connection, regulation, and security.

Supporting comfort sucking while also supporting yourself lays the foundation for a smoother breastfeeding journey and a deeply connected relationship with your baby.

If you’re feeling unsure about your baby’s feeding patterns, or you’d like personalized support, I’m here to help.