Pacifier while EBFing?

HOLLYSODEN

I can't seem to get a clear answer on this hopefully you ladies can help me . Is it ok to give a pacifier to a 7 week old, exclusively breast fed baby? Will it cause nipple confusion? If I can use a pacifier, what kind is best for EBF babies? My son is 7 weeks and 16lbs, I think he's sucking on me to soothe and thereby taking in too much milk. I was thinking a pacifier would help him suck and not just be constantly eating.

kllycrmr

My DD is EBF and has been using a pacifier pretty much since she was born. We use Dr. Browns and she loves it. No nipple confusion at all. She's 7 weeks now.

rae430

I've heard that nipple confusion is a myth, but who knows? I began giving my DS a pacifier at about 2 weeks, after he was established at BFing. No nipple confusion at all. He prefers MAM pacifiers, and will absolutely take them when he's fussy but not hungry. If he's hungry or really worked up, he'll spit out the pacifier and go for the boob, but the pacifier has been really helpful at calming him quickly in a lot
of situations. Give it a try- can't hurt! If he doesn't like it, he'll let you know.

cassietegtmeier

my dr said nipple confusing is a myth. We have been using MAMs since about 2 weeks.

blitzy23

I breastfeed, use a bottle every so often, and use a pacifier. We haven't had any issues with any of it.

Hawk&Eye

Everyone I've talked to says it's a myth too. I just wish I could get him to take one! I've tried about 3 different brands and he either spits them out or can't keep it in for very long and I'm just sitting there waiting to chase it for him...not exactly a productive alternative to the boob...at least I can find the boob at night!

agilber3

Our pediatrician said sucking is soothing, regardless of if its productive or not. We used one on our son at 5 days old. We like the nuk brand because of how it's shaped. If you have a good production and latch then I wouldn't worry.

danibonello

I went to a Le Leche League meeting yesterday and the leader said if you are EBF and don't have (low) supply issues, you can typically introduce a pacifier between weeks 6-8. She also said the reason isn't due to nipple confusion but rather, before that time you actually want the baby to be pacified by the breast to be sure you get as much stimulation for your supply as possible. It sounds like you're at a point where you could actually use less stimulation, so I say go for it. I pump, so I've been trying pacis for a while now... just bought MAMs yesterday, and while she still spits them out, they seem to be most liked by my LO.

Hope this helps!

justkeeptrying

Definitely use a pacifier! We gave DS a pacifier at 2 weeks. Although we did use it a couple of times before then when I was ready to pull my hair out. He had a hard time latching at first so I didn't want to introduce a pacifier but he has had no trouble with nipple confusion.

According to the happiest baby on the block, once baby starts sucking on the pacifier, you should gently try to pull it out. It will encourage LO to suck harder to fight you to keep the pacifier. Helps them to learn to suck to keep it in so you're not getting up every 2 minutes to put it back in their mouth.

Oh and we use the Avent orthodontic pacifiers.

kremerj1

We used a pacifier from day 2 after severe pain from the circumsizen. He's never been confused, spits it out when hungry. I've also never had low supply issues. The best we've found are the mam pacifiers. We don't give the paci to him all the time, but it's a life saver!!!

LadyBlood

We gave a pacifier to my son while still in the hospital cuz he was wanting to nurse just for comfort and I was sore and exhausted. He is exclusively breastfed and we've never had a problem (he's 7 weeks now) he seems to do better with the mam brand, it's easier to hold on to I think.

smashbaby111

We started around a week, latch was good, weight was good, and it was clear LO likes to suck to soothe even when not hungry. We use MAM, as she likes those the best, we have had no problems with nipple confusion at all! She did start to try to make he latch smaller around week 3 so my husband started giving her an Avent soothie for like 5-10 minutes before she nursed to help open up her mouth a bit more and it totally worked. We only had to do that for a week or so, now she knows to open wide for the boob and keep her mouth more closed to keep the pacifier in

danibii

My ebf baby loves the soothies - the wubanub is a soothie with a small stuffed animal on the end that sometimes stays in better bc she can hold the animal- good luck

kby721

We have been using a pacifier since week 2. I BF and give one bottle of expressed milk a day. DD needs to suck to fall asleep so every time she ate she would be on me forever and would continually fall asleep while eating. Since we started using the pacifier she stays awake better while eating and the pacifier helps her to fall asleep afterwards. We use soothies and a wubbanub. I love the wubbanub it stays on her chest so she's not constantly losing it.

HOLLYSODEN

Thanks everyone! I gave him the pacifier...he loves it!!

mars8k

I kept reading that you should wait a month so you should be fine!

My DD is also exclusively breastfed, i gave her a pacifier at 3 and a half weeks and she wasn't a big fan, i honestly wish i started earlier. I tried many pacifiers but she only tolerates 1, now i can't remember if it's nuk or pigeon! I'll post a pic, she rarely ever holds it on her own but i'm told to keep trying and that she'll get the hang of it eventually, so lets hope that's true! She's 8 weeks btw