Breastfeeding and pacifier use?

ilanat

I am exclusively breastfeeding my newborn.  So far, the only nipple he knows about is the breast. He's been doing marathon sessions and I am committed to keep going.  At his first checkup, the pediatrician said that after 15 minutes on both sides, I should give him a pacifier.  I am reluctant to do this because from what I have read, it's better to wait at least 4 weeks until the milk supply is fully established and the LO has mastered the art of the breastfeeding suck technique.  I have also read that the pacifying sucking actually stimulates the breasts to continue to build the milk supply.  What are people's thoughts?  I wouldn't mind getting the extra sleep, but I don't want to compromise the breastfeeding process.  

redhead610

We introduced the pacifier at a couple days old. It had no negative effect on breastfeeding.

ilanat

Okay, thanks.  That's helpful to know!  

RootBeer29

We waited to introduce it until 3 weeks.

Lena122

I offered DD a pacifier at 4 days old. She's 10 days now and is still nursing just fine. I typically only give it to her right after she's eaten a good "meal" or if I need to hold her off for a few minutes to tend to my toddler.

ETA: When she's hungry the pacifier doesn't keep her calm for long so it's pretty easy to tell if she's hungry or just wants to suck.

TheDairyQueenx3

I'm currently EBF twin newborns and have EBF a singleton until he self weened. All my kids got pacifiers at about 3 days old and we never had any issues. My twins were preemie so they got pumped milk in bottles so they have had a few different nipple shapes. Like pp said they will cry and spit it out if they are really hungry.

OntheWater

I waited 6-7 weeks with the understanding that your prolactin levels are, for lack of a better word, "set" between 4 and 6 weeks and that this affects your supply for the extent of your bf'ing relationship. I followed the thought- process that all her sucking needs should be met ONLY with the breast during that time, not only to teach/encourage a good latch but to increase prolactin levels, even if just comfort sucking. Not sure I can entirely blame it on this, but still going strong with a great supply at 5 months. I did, however, if I needed to shower/drive somewhere etc., offer it for a few minutes to calm her as I was not going to just let her cry when my boob wasn't immediately available and she just wanted to comfort suck.

tisunge602

We introduced it the second night in the hospital because he was using me as a pacifier. We have never had a problem and he's almost 8 weeks old now. He also nurses about 15 minutes per side.

jennypenny*

I am ebfing and introduced the pacifier at 3 weeks. We introduced it when we learned lo needed to sooth and not eat.

I do agree with amyg don't switch sides at 15 mins. Allow your lo to drain one side. When lo shows signs of fussing/pulling like it is drained then offer side 2. My lo almost neve rneeds the second side

ilanat

Yeah, I agree about the 15 minute rule.  I just let him nurse for as long as he wants.  Only considering paci as last resort if it's 4 am and I have had no sleep and I know he's just had a big meal and done nothing but nurse all day.   Thanks everyone for your helpful responses.