Pacifiers & breastfeeding

Beckyboo71 · January 2015

For those who have/plan to breastfeed...will you use a pacifier? The hospital we are at won't give one to babies before 30 days if they are breastfeeding. We are having a tough night of crying and I'm sure a pacifier would help!!!

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southernyankeegirl · January 2015

Another nursing Mom I know used her own pinkie, just to give baby something to suck on. I personally would give a paci for a bit if I felt it was really needed, though I know it's not typically recommended with breastfeeding.

Sorry you're having a rough night!

MLC1990 · January 2015

FTM, but we waited until day 4 to give our girl a bink. Mostly for the simple fact she didn't need it. I gave it to her for the same reason, crying. I haven't noticed any differences in her suck/feeding.

Samiantha101 · January 2015

I swore up and down I wouldn't give my dd a pacifier. Yeah, I totally ended up giving her one while we were still in the hospital. Our hospital didn't supply them, but I brought my own. I'm unsure as to what my thinking was by bringing one, seeing as I was so opposed to them. As it turns out, she much preferred nursing and didn't take to the pacifoer after our hospital stay. I would say go for it, if you think it will help.

MLC1990 · January 2015

Ditto exactly what @Skylerpete‌ said.

cassied7 · January 2015

We gave DS one within a week of birth and he nursed just fine.

4littlebears · January 2015

I'm not saying that confusion doesn't happen... I'm just saying I breastfed 3 kids for 1-2 years each and they all had pacifiers within 24-48 hrs of birth. Just saying.

mshepherd20 · January 2015

I haven't yet but I'm tempted too. Lillian is having a hard time sleeping in her bed at night. She wakes within 20 minutes of laying her down in her rock n' play. She'll sleep in my arms for hours (last night it was 4 1/2 hours) so I think maybe a pacifier will help her to sleep better?

I've never given one with either of my other two. I'm mostly concerned about the weaning part.

BackseatDriver · January 2015

I gave a pacifier on the recommendation of my pediatrician, but I waited until we had figured out BF.

Beckyboo71 · January 2015

mshepherd20 said:
I haven't yet but I'm tempted too. Lillian is having a hard time sleeping in her bed at night. She wakes within 20 minutes of laying her down in her rock n' play. She'll sleep in my arms for hours (last night it was 4 1/2 hours) so I think maybe a pacifier will help her to sleep better?

I've never given one with either of my other two. I'm mostly concerned about the weaning part.

That's exactly our problem! The nurse came in and "helped" us by putting her on DH's chest and she fell asleep. Well, I was trying to get her to fall asleep in the bassinet so we could all sleep!

Anyway, thanks for all your replies...I used a pacifier w/DD1 for about 4 months until she decided she didn't want it anymore. But she was bottle fed, so I was curious about breastfeeding. I will definitely be getting one as soon as we are discharged later today! (I assumed they would supply one here since they did with DD1 7 years ago!!!!)

nah82 · January 2015

I breastfed both my boys. They both had pacifiers from the beginning. It did not affect my supply but gave me a little respite when all they wanted to do was comfort suck and my nipples were sore.

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ConJos_love · January 2015

We didn't use a paci til DS was 6 weeks, just so I could get a little done around the house. He weaned himself off them around 3-4 months. I was afraid he would latch funny if I have him one early.

Mrs_Bennett · January 2015

DS1 used a paci from the beginning, and we nursed successfully for 18 months. We tried to get DS2 to take one because he was colicky, but he had no interest. So far, we haven't offered one to DD, but we do have a few, and I'm not opposed to them if we need them.

lavet22 · January 2015

4littlebears said:

I'm not saying that confusion doesn't happen... I'm just saying I breastfed 3 kids for 1-2 years each and they all had pacifiers within 24-48 hrs of birth. Just saying.

Ditto me. My baby girl now got a paci in the hospital and she breastfeeds like a champ and takes a paci without any problems.

Mom2anAngel2 · January 2015

DS wasn't big on pacifiers, but did use them on occasion. Our hospital also will not give them to a BF'ing baby, but I brought my own from home because I knew their "baby friendly" policies. We never had an issue with confusion, even with a bottle.

LaBellaVida · January 2015

I will if I think it'll help them. Babies have a desire to suck.
My first was BF and took a pacifier just fine.
My second wanted nothing to do with one. But used me to suck which got annoying really fast.
My 3rd didn't take one, until like 5 months, but only for a week. Then he was back to using me.
I'll offer one to this one, if he takes it great, if not..... I'll deal.

atrinh11 · January 2015

I am not sure how I am going to handle this with this child. My son was given a paci in the NICU when he was just a few days old, which I was not overly happy with. At the same time, we couldn't hold him much or anything, so I understand why they did it. BFing was a challenge for us for several reasons, but we did make it happen, so I know it can be done. I would want to have one on hand at least, just in case. And probably just use it sparingly if possible.

Stephij1 · January 2015

MrsDigger10 said:
I would like to wait until my milk comes in, but I plan to for sure.

Yep. This. Pacifiers saved my sanity.

liladelphia215 · January 2015

Yep, I will be giving a paci.. if baby wants one, that is..

kellyfo14 · January 2015

No nipple confusion for either of my two. I would say if breastfeeding is going well, just go for it. Mine had binks right from the beginning. They also are supposed to help reduce the risk of sids.

mshepherd20 · January 2015

Beckyboo71 said:

mshepherd20 said:
I haven't yet but I'm tempted too. Lillian is having a hard time sleeping in her bed at night. She wakes within 20 minutes of laying her down in her rock n' play. She'll sleep in my arms for hours (last night it was 4 1/2 hours) so I think maybe a pacifier will help her to sleep better?

I've never given one with either of my other two. I'm mostly concerned about the weaning part.
That's exactly our problem! The nurse came in and "helped" us by putting her on DH's chest and she fell asleep. Well, I was trying to get her to fall asleep in the bassinet so we could all sleep!

Anyway, thanks for all your replies...I used a pacifier w/DD1 for about 4 months until she decided she didn't want it anymore. But she was bottle fed, so I was curious about breastfeeding. I will definitely be getting one as soon as we are discharged later today! (I assumed they would supply one here since they did with DD1 7 years ago!!!!)

@Beckyboo71‌ have you been able to put her in her crib/bassinet to sleep since the hospital?

I can't stand the sound of Lillian crying after I lay her down at night, even though she just ate 20 minutes (or less) prior. Also, she sleeps fine in her rock n' play during the day so I'm not sure why the night is so different. I'm at a loss...

TXUltraRunner · January 2015

We haven't needed one. The first week was ROUGH. She fed constantly, my nips were always on fire and I cried a lot. However, the constant attachment is natures way of not only bringing in your milk but also controlling the supply. My lactation consultant advised me to spend the first week basically topless with the baby against my chest and to let her "hang out in the restaurant" and to let her nurse as much as she wanted. Did it suck? Yes. Did it work? YES! I had zero engorgement or supply issues. We don't use a paci and she doesn't seem to have a need to just suck on something. I realize all babies are different but I highly encourage you to let the baby nurse as much as possible the first two weeks. I would not be inclined to introduce anything else until feeding is established

mmooki · January 2015

Ds was given one in the nicu... We use it at night to help him, but no other time. Dd also got one in the nicu and she nursed for 22 m

Jen524 · January 2015

We used a pacifier almost right away and had no issues with nipple confusion. Sucking is a soothing reflex and there was no way I was going to be a human pacifier in between feedings.

moonfaerie · January 2015

All of my kids had pacifiers in the hospital and all went on to BF successfully. My oldest was a mix of breast and bottle fed from the beginning, and she used pacis the longest, for about six months, before she lost interest..My second two daughters were EBF for the first couple of months, and used a paci for a short time. DD3 preferred to use me for comfort sucking, and that is no fun.

DS loves his paci and is not confused. When he is hungry, he wants breasts and refuses the paci. When he wants to comfort suck, he refuses breasts and wants the paci. Pacifiers are ok by me, if they make baby happy and give my breasts a break.

ECATX · January 2015

We used one with DD but not until she was 4-5 weeks old. I was more concerned about limiting my supply than nipple confusion. I might into a pacifier a little earlier this time but I'll probably still wait 2-3 weeks to get breastfeeding established.

mshepherd20 · January 2015

Skylerpete said:

mshepherd20 said:

Beckyboo71 said:

mshepherd20 said:
I haven't yet but I'm tempted too. Lillian is having a hard time sleeping in her bed at night. She wakes within 20 minutes of laying her down in her rock n' play. She'll sleep in my arms for hours (last night it was 4 1/2 hours) so I think maybe a pacifier will help her to sleep better?

I've never given one with either of my other two. I'm mostly concerned about the weaning part.
That's exactly our problem! The nurse came in and "helped" us by putting her on DH's chest and she fell asleep. Well, I was trying to get her to fall asleep in the bassinet so we could all sleep!

Anyway, thanks for all your replies...I used a pacifier w/DD1 for about 4 months until she decided she didn't want it anymore. But she was bottle fed, so I was curious about breastfeeding. I will definitely be getting one as soon as we are discharged later today! (I assumed they would supply one here since they did with DD1 7 years ago!!!!)
@Beckyboo71‌ have you been able to put her in her crib/bassinet to sleep since the hospital?

I can't stand the sound of Lillian crying after I lay her down at night, even though she just ate 20 minutes (or less) prior. Also, she sleeps fine in her rock n' play during the day so I'm not sure why the night is so different. I'm at a loss...
Sounds to me, that she got used to laying elevated and now doesn't really like being laid flat. That or the feeling of being held maybe makes her feel safe so try swaddling?

I thought maybe she was cold because our room is chilly, so I tried a one piece with a blanket sleeper and a swaddle. I'm thinking she just loves to cuddle, which I don't mind but I know I'll be kicking myself in 4-5 months when we try to move her into the crib.

ellasmama18 · January 2015

Baby #1 took a paci from day one and nursed like a champ. I'll be bringing one to the hospital for sure.

llambrose · January 2015

Dd used a pacifier from her first day and nursed for a year. This new guy got one today and has been nursing just fine.

GracefulStar · January 2015

My son was given one at nicu. He had issues latching and I never got to successfully breastfeed but I don't blame it on the pacifier. although I'm not too eager to have another baby super attached to a pacifier. But do what works for you, sometimes you have have to put your sanity first.

Beckyboo71 · January 2015

mshepherd20 said:

I haven't yet but I'm tempted too. Lillian is having a hard time sleeping in her bed at night. She wakes within 20 minutes of laying her down in her rock n' play. She'll sleep in my arms for hours (last night it was 4 1/2 hours) so I think maybe a pacifier will help her to sleep better? I've never given one with either of my other two. I'm mostly concerned about the weaning part.
That's exactly our problem! The nurse came in and "helped" us by putting her on DH's chest and she fell asleep. Well, I was trying to get her to fall asleep in the bassinet so we could all sleep! Anyway, thanks for all your replies...I used a pacifier w/DD1 for about 4 months until she decided she didn't want it anymore. But she was bottle fed, so I was curious about breastfeeding. I will definitely be getting one as soon as we are discharged later today! (I assumed they would supply one here since they did with DD1 7 years ago!!!!)
@Beckyboo71‌ have you been able to put her in her crib/bassinet to sleep since the hospital? I can't stand the sound of Lillian crying after I lay her down at night, even though she just ate 20 minutes (or less) prior. Also, she sleeps fine in her rock n' play during the day so I'm not sure why the night is so different. I'm at a loss...

We are actually still in the hospital. Turns out, she has a slight case of jaundice, and ended up getting us a pacifier after all. The hospital will make exceptions for cases such as this. The pacifier helps sometimes, and she is sleeping better now.

kaybeeknits · January 2015

I'm planning on giving a paci because there may be a link between babies using them and lowering the risk of SIDS. It seems like people are torn on whether or not it actually interferes with BFing, so if I feel she needs it, I will introduce it.

GromMom · January 2015

My ds refused a pacifier from the beginning. I think he used it maybe once or twice. I would have loved a break with a pacifier but he wouldn't do it so it was a long hard road weaning him. I know people say it's hard to take away a pacifier but it's even harder when the pacifier is you in my opinion, since you can cut a pacifier or hide it etc.

mellie86041 · January 2015

DD got one right away in the hospital and had no confusion issues. She gave up the paci on her own within three months when she discovered her thumb didn't get away from her at night. Honestly, we had way more issues with BFing at that point than we had prior.

We plan on letting this LO have one right away too, if it's what he wants.

susannahbrynn · January 2015

I finally caved and sent DH out to get one last night. We all got 2.5 hours of sleep together and it was worth it. DS is 5 days old and loves to suck like his life depends on it. My boobs couldn't take it, and we were getting frustrated at the reverse scheduling DS is currently working on.