FTM...question for STM's

wearebirds · October 2013

Question...

If you nursed, did you also use a pacifier?? I'm curious as to whether to even use them at first to avoid nipple confusion or to start out with both so they're used to it from the get go?

I've heard mixed answers...just wondering what you've done and experienced. Thanks!

[Deleted User] · October 2013

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Natty13umppo · October 2013

I don't remember when we introduced a pacifier - it wasn't the first few weeks - but DD really didn't take to the pacifier so it wasn't an issue.

We DID introduce a bottle really early (first week) because she had jaundice and we were trying to get extra milk in her (I'd pump and DH would bottle feed her) and she had no problem with that. Now, she wasn't on the bottle very long (a few days?) and eventually would refuse the bottle all together, but even in the early days of figuring nursing out, it didn't cause a problem......for us.

EmStyle180 · October 2013

It will be your child's personal preference. My daughter nursed like a champ from the beginning but after a few weeks I tried introducing a pacifier and she wanted nothing to do with it. My personal opinion is that they are more trouble than they are worth because a) if they get hooked on it and it falls out that could startle them awake and that sucks and b.) they could grow so dependent that they still have it in their mouth as they are walking into kindergarten

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katykatykaty · October 2013

Yeah, my DD loved her paci from day 1. We didn't have any issues with nipple confusion.

BoogieMonster629 · October 2013

We did use a pacifier, I can't remember exactly when maybe 2 weeks old? She never had nipple confusion and nursed until 18mo.

nicolesspirit · October 2013

I breast fed them all,used a paci and bottle fed breast milk. No nipple confusion and paci should by 8 months

nicolesspirit · October 2013

**^paci gone by 8 months

LolaBelle11 · October 2013

Mine lost interest in it after about 6 weeks and used me as his pacifier. No good. Id keep on pushing using a paci...

Nickiechan · October 2013

I never really liked the idea of a pacifier since I had issues with my teeth when I was younger and had to have braces... also kicking the habit later, just didn't feel like it was necessary. I nursed DS and he never took a pacifier even when we tried to give it too him once because he wouldn't calm down even after nursing for awhile and I was in pain. If he would be fussy I was able to just give him the boob. :P I'm glad he didn't take one and I wasn't really forceful towards giving it to him. However, I know some use them. I have a friend who her daughter is almost 3 and still uses it and they have been trying to kick the habit for MONTHS... and it is a constant struggle with her. It kind of reminded me on how I was having issues weaning DS. I was just the human pacifier LOL

VineyardMel · October 2013

DD wouldn't take one for a long time but wanted to use me as her paci. At 8wks I went to the store and bought one of every type and figured out what she liked. She still uses it for sleeping (12mo). I wish I'd tried giving her different options much earlier!!

bumpuser9058414 · October 2013

We used one after about 2 weeks of DD being on the boob 24/7 and I was exhausted. No nipple confusion and we took it away shortly after her first birthday and her teeth are fine!

HappyWife01 · October 2013

She did not want a pacifier at all(we offered from day 1). When I started weaning her at 18 months, I gave her a pacifier because she did not want to give up nursing. Let's just say I'm still dealing with that mistake

liamandlettie · October 2013

He took a paci right away. No nipple confusion. Then he found his thumb. Depends on the child. We also *gasp* bottle fed him really quickly so I could also pump and again no nipple confusion.

KariB509 · October 2013

I breastfed and DS used a paci. Before I had him, I didn't want to give him a paci until I knew there wouldn't be any confusion. After the first couple of times successfully nursing, the nurse asked if I wanted to give him one and I said yes. I figured since he didn't have any issues nursing then the paci wouldn't cause any harm and it didn't. He's 2 and still enjoys his paci at bed time. It's a life saver!

YankeePeach08 · October 2013

I nursed DS for 14 months.

The nursery gave him a paci in the hospital, DH and I weren't sure when we were going to introduce it but since he had one we just let it go.

We had no nipple confusion, bottles were introduced at 6 weeks and he wasn't picky with bottle type.

He dropped the paci on his own at 3-4 months in preference of his fingers. He stopped sucking his fingers on his own by 9 months.

I think we just got lucky with the whole nipple confusion, dropping a paci on his own and not caring what bottles he used. Some babies are just pickier than others.

kelley72 · October 2013

None of my boys would use a pacifier.

Melbelle11 · October 2013

I nursed, and DS used a pacifier some. Did not sleep with it or anything, but used to soothe a little during the day. He didn't really seem to get into it too much until 3 or 4 months. As long as their latch is good, no reason to keep the paci away

jwls84 · October 2013

We used (use) one and had no nipple confusion. B was a sucker and I couldn't use my nipples as pacifiers so after about 2 week we tries the soother, it was great.

aracelyluna · October 2013

DD never really took to the paci. He hated the thing. I honestly think that it is a personal preference for babies. We did some bottle feeding in the beginning because he needed to gain some weight and didn't experience any nipple confusion. He had a clear preference for the boob.

msBlackandGold · October 2013

We didn't use a paci. I tried, but she didn't want it, and I surely wasn't going to force it on her. I didn't let her suck her thumb or fingers either.

avigailandcharlie · October 2013

nicolesspirit said:

I breast fed them all,used a paci and bottle fed breast milk. No nipple confusion and paci should by 8 months

Do you have a general time frame of when you introduced the bottle and the paci and how frequently? I plan on doing all three and I know it will depend on my LO and our lives, but I'd love to hear what worked for others :-)

wearebirds · October 2013

I thought about just no paci at all but I was a thumb sucker til I was 12 [only at night when I was older than like two] and I needed braces for 3 years. I'd rather the paci than the thumb...at least I can take that away.

jrw526 · October 2013

We tried early on but he refused even after trying quite a few times.

wearebirds · October 2013

Guess we'll just have to see what this LO likes! Thanks ladies!

BabiesFTW · October 2013

I waited to introduce it until 4 weeks. It depends on the baby but DD loooved it. I won't wait so long this time. I've decided I don't believe in nipple confusion. The paci never interfered with breast feeding.
She is 2 and still uses it at night. Her dentist says her teeth are just fine and to not worry about the pacifier use.

coldenka · October 2013

DS wouldn't take it. I struggled with whether or not I should introduce one, but in the end he made his decision. He does suck on his fingers though, which I feel he will eventually grow out of.

It's a personal preference for you and baby. I'm happy with having a finger sucker, but I know a lot of people prefer pacifier as you can actually take those away.

[Deleted User] · October 2013

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springbaby03 · October 2013

My dd took one from day one she breast fed till 17months. Shes almost two and uses the binky at nap time, bedtime and if she gets cranky. I'm not in a hurry to take it from her she really loves that thing.

karacakes98 · October 2013

I BF'd very successfully and both kids used pacifiers. DS self-weaned from the paci at 9 months and DD did the same thing at 5 months. They both also took occasional bottles without issues.

laurendom · October 2013

DD didn't take to the pacifier for months, and even when she did, she really isn't attached to it, she takes it occasionally in the car when she's cranky and sometimes at night. But because it was so late, no nipple confusion.

matthewmegan · October 2013

DD uses hers for sleeping and if she is in an unfamilar location (traveling, eating out, or being in large groups of people she tends to want it more). We found the brand that worked for her on the 3rd try (MAMS). She's 10 months and we aren't in a hurry to take it away from her. She definitely would have been a thumb sucker had we not gotten in the habit of taking her thumb out of her mouth and replacing it with a paci. The way we see it, you can take a paci away, you can't take a thumb away. We introduced bottles at 1 month per the doctors recommendation and she easily switched back and forth with no confusion. We were not overly successful at weaning...she hasn't nursed in 2 months but still pulls at my shirt when she's tired indicating she wants to.

huskymomma94 · October 2013

I nursed for 16 months and he also used a pacifier. It actually helped improve his latch.

nicolesspirit · October 2013

avigailandcharlie said:

nicolesspirit said:

I breast fed them all,used a paci and bottle fed breast milk. No nipple confusion and paci should by 8 months

Do you have a general time frame of when you introduced the bottle and the paci and how frequently? I plan on doing all three and I know it will depend on my LO and our lives, but I'd love to hear what worked for others :-)

I introduced a bottle at 2 months maybe? A paci at about a week.

JKS21 · October 2013

They told us in the hospital NOT to use a pacifier for the first month if nursing. He never wanted one... and I am ok with that!

BrandiF86 · October 2013

I used a Paci with my DD she was the only one i nursed and she took right to it, used one on my son as well as they say it reduces the risk of sids I will use one for this one too, in fact I have already bought some.

I don't plan on nursing this time, but my DD loved her Paci and used it for I am ashamed to admit years.

carriedbyme · October 2013

I nursed for 15 months
Started the paci in the hospital (after a lecture from a nurse, which I completely ignored)
4 Months DS wouldn't take the paci anymore (sigh)
Started pumping at 2ish weeks
Had DH give first bottle at 3ish weeks
Went back to work at 8 weeks and DS took bottles at daycare and breast at home...
Sippy ups introduced at 6 months

Sorry about the list, just trying to keep it all clear for ya! Clearly, you can do whatever you want, this was just my method.

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