Follow-up...would a baby really eat to fall asleep even if not hungry???

[liv'smom]

I do my best to not let my DD go down for a nap if she starts to fall asleep after she finishes eating.  She is 5mo old  and on 4hr EASY.  But I don't understand how she can still be hungry, especially since she has been up for 3hrs and is acting sleepy.  But would a baby act hungry and eat if they weren't really hungry? 

[em_here]

Yes, my DD does this as she wants to suck, therefore she has always had a dummy. I have to explain to nursery over and over "she is not hungry, she wants her dummy!" Sometimes I offer some cooled boiled water as she may be thirsty.

Are you sure shes not in a growth spurt, just wanted to check that one, how old is she?

[* Paula *]

I agree with Emma Louise

A lot of babies have a very strong sucking reflex and will eat to fall asleep as a comfort.  This is why a lot of mums choose to introduce a dummy.  We did as our DS would also drink to fall asleep, when all he really wanted to do was self soothe by sucking on a dummy to go to sleep.

HTH's

Paula