Pacifier use

firsttimemom143 · January 2014

So I am trying to exclusively breast feed. I read that the AAP recommends delaying pacifier use til after one month for breastfeeding babies. I'm all for his but DH is not ever since his mother mentioned it. They feel that a pacifier would be useful when the baby just wants to "comfort suck."
But when the baby is rooting and smacking her lips, how do you know if she is hungry or just wants to suck on something for comfort? I am just concerned because I read multiple articles about the percentage of women who stop breast feeding after introducing a pacifier to early supposedly because there was a decrease in milk supply or something.
I don't know but they both (dh and mil) keep bringing it up and I'm so freaking emotional due to hormones that I can cry on command...ugh. More of a vent post than anything. But I am curious if any of you breastfeeding mamas have introduce a paci.

ThankfulSnail · January 2014

I did try this yesterday out of desperation, because my DD was comfort sucking for 30-40 minutes after she finished swallowing, and had been refusing to sleep during the day unless she was at the breast for the last 4 days. She didn't like the paci, though, and spat it out after 15 minutes max.

In what I read online, it said not to try introducing the paci when the baby is giving hunger signals, but after a feeding/during a nap when baby is calm.

However, none of this really matters, because it doesn't sound like YOU want to introduce the pacifier yet. Nobody- not even your MIL and DH- should be going around giving opinions about who is sucking on your boobs for how long and for what reason except you at this point. If you don't feel comfortable with it yet and aren't having concerns/issues with comfort sucking, then I would just say no to the pacifier for now.

sarahmarie2 · January 2014

I wanted to avoid using a paci so soon, but the nurse gave DS one n the hospital. I brought it up with my pedi and she was in favor of using them. Not in place of feeding, but for comfort, especially at bed time. When she told us it lowers the risk of SIDS I was all about it. Generally we use it at night time or during a meltdown when he doesn't want to nurse. I try to comfort nurse as much as possible in order to rely on the paci less. But I haven't experienced any changes in nursing since we started using it.

ashybear · January 2014

I'm curious too. I have been planning to wait until 4-6 weeks for both pacifier and pumping/bottle, but it certainly seems like a pacifier would help him self-soothe a bit to sleep at night. A finger works wonders when he's awake, upset and is not able to immediately feed (car, doctor, etc.).

irwinkle · January 2014

DD started using a pacifier about a week after we got home, and she nursed just fine for a year. If they want you, they will spit that pacifier right out. I stressed about it too, but looking back it wasn't worth it. Good luck!

ababymaybe · January 2014

We tried a paci in the hospital DS because he had a very strong latch/suck and I was totally burnt out. The nurses don't usually suggest it but he was like a Pirhana all the time.

We tried it after at home also, and he never really took to it. So there was never an a chance for it to interfere with nursing, really. He always just wanted me anyway.

On the one hand the comfort nursing in early days is important to help establish supply. On the other, if you're going crazy like I was, I don't see the harm in introducing it earlier as long as they've already been fed, nursed a lot, etc.

MindyBadger1 · January 2014

I'm EBF. My mom is a lactation consultant and gave me the go ahead on day 2 in the hospital once we knew there weren't any latch issues. He takes a paci, the soothie ones, a couple times a day. It definitely comforts him and hasn't caused problems for us. Eta.... Also takes a bottle of pumped milk once a day (Breastflow bottle) from DH. I would go crazy without my little 4-5 hour break a day, you ladies rock.

sugarland726 · January 2014

DS takes a pacifier, a bottle, and the boob interchangeably, so we got very lucky with that. I think, since you are still learning his hunger cues, to assume he is hungry, and if he isn't making a sucking and swallowing sound, then you can try a pacifier.

MamaP19 · January 2014

Do what you feel comfortable with and don't let them pressure you into something. DD wasn't into pacifiers until she was a few months old. If we were somewhere I wasn't able to BF right away and she was upset I just used my pinky, which always calmed her.

shiway · January 2014

Some babies do just fine! But some don't. And you don know until its too late. I wouldn't risk it. New born babies like to suck! And it's good for your milk supply and for bonding and for baby to be comforted. Breast feeding is nt just about nutrition. You are the mother and get to decide. Breast feeding is a full time job in the beginning. Good luck!

mrskratt · January 2014

We used a pacifier for one night (third night after she was born) and the whole next day DD was having one hell of a time latching on. My nipples aren't as hard or as long as the pacifier and she was getting frustrated with that. That was a really rough day. So we are going to wait until at least 6 weeks to reintroduce it. I just assume she is hungry everytime she throws hunger cues out and it has worked so far.

Edited WAY too late for typo :P

Ninjafarmerswife · January 2014

@Elsutto2, I just cracked when I read your typo (DH had a hard time latching). Sorry that the paci was an issue though.

slmille4 · January 2014

We use it for sleeping, she is incredibly fussy if she isn't sleeping on one of us so the first hour in the bassinet is trying any comfort measures. She also doesn't get it until after she's nursed. Pediatrician said that there really isn't a lot of nipple confusion if your latch is already established and if they want food their smart and will just spit it out. She also said that it reduces the risk if SIDS

MiaMyPuggle · January 2014

I gave her the nuk at 2 days old. Basically for comfort. I'm overproducing (once again), so I don't buy the correlation btw nuk use and milk supply.

Hmvbaby14 · January 2014

We've also been using a paci and bottles since about 1 week and haven't had any issues ( he's 4 weeks now) although I was pretty apprehensive about it at first. Make the right decision for you!

Bwhitten · January 2014

Every baby is different but feeding on demand and comfort nursing will help you establish a good supply in the first weeks. My babies didn't really like the bottle or pacifiers but I didn't push it, I waited a month to introduce them.

peanutmuse · January 2014

Ninjafarmerswife said:
@Elsutto2, I just cracked when I read your typo (DH had a hard time latching). Sorry that the paci was an issue though.

I did the same thing @ninjafarmerswife.

(And FTR, my husband doesn't have any latching issues!)

RedSaffron · January 2014

Im EBF and I introduced the paci when DD was exactly one week old. She didn't stop sucking before and it causes her to spit up a lot of milk. Once DD falls semi-asleep on my boob and latches off on her own, I step in and give her the paci if she is still interested in sucking. She comfort sucks and falls asleep.

sehudson821 · January 2014

We've been using a soothie since day 3. They gave it to him in the nursery and I was less than thrilled since they didn't ask and we are BF. Luckily, he has done really well and will spit it out if he's hungry. It's helpful to have something for calming other than my boobs. BUT- I agree with others, do what you feel is best! You're the momma and it should be your call.