Absolutely yes. My first son was very attached to his. It was a godsend because when he woke up at night, he'd grab it and put himself back to sleep. We took it when he was and roundabout 1.5 and he was a little upset, but moved on quickly. My second son wouldn't take one. He's about 1.5 now, and he's still a terrible sleeper. I really think the pacifier is what made the difference. Hopefully this baby takes to it!
I'm in the yes to pacifiers category (assuming the baby takes to it). I probably would wait a month or so to ensure a good latch for breastfeeding first. My reasoning is that it can help reduce the risk of sids while sleeping and that while it might be tough weaning them if they get attached, it's still easier to take away an object than have them get attached to thumb sucking where it's nearly impossible to take that away. But then again, I'm a first time mom so reserve the right to change my mind based off what works this time around!
Agree with koala1107. I think my son would have been a happier baby if he had taken a pacifier, instead I was his pacifier and I couldn't get him to sleep alone until he was 9 months old. I would limit use (maybe at nap times, stressful times) and cut it out by the time they can talk. But you can make all the plans you want but baby will have his own ideas! :-)
I'm hoping not to use them and just give baby my breast when they need to suck. But who knows how it will work. I'm open to letting them use one, but won't buy one at first. I'm also hoping not to use bottles for several months. It will be hard having to be the only one feeding them all the time, but I will try.
I was indifferent to them and they made my brother angry (he basically said, "WTF--diet breast milk?!!"). I am hoping not to need them because chasing them looks exhausting and weaning the pacifier sounds exhausting too. However, I am sure it is a godsend if they work.
Yes to pacifiers! My DD would only take a MAM and it was a life saver. She still loves it for naps and bedtime. I didn't think I'd want to use one before she was born but boy was I wrong! She sucks for comfort, which is perfectly natural and fine and made her a pretty easy baby. She EBF no problem so we never dealt with nipple confusion. I'm all for attachment parenting and natural/respectful transitions so we will wean paci when the time is right.
I was against the pacifier when I had my son. But when he was 6 weeks old and literally would not get off my boob, I was desperate to try something. Turns out he just wanted to suckle and the pacifier was key! It gave me a break and he was a happy baby again.
I feel lucky because he threw his pacifier down around 10 months at bedtime when I gave it to him, so I put them all away and that was the end of it. Hopefully it's as easy with the next one
Im in the middle about them. I work with kids and can't stand when parents enable "Sookie" behavoir with the soother. I have seen soother stunt childs language and emotional development. I know that they can be helpful when a child in inconsolable or at nap time.
When I have my child I may use a soother sparingly but no further than 6-9months.
If breastfeeding it's not good until they have latching down but other than that I see nothing wrong with it. My son used one until he was about 16mos at night then I cut the tips off and he no longer wanted them.. My daughter never used one but she sucks her thumb... Boy do I WISH she used a pacifier instead !! It's not as easy to break the habit of sucking your thumb !
DD used one (wubbanub) for the first three months. She then just started to play with the attached animal and not using the paci part. So I cut off the pacifier and she now uses it as a lovie.
It was annoying when she used it when sleeping because she would cry when it fell out, so it was nice once she gave it up. I have to say it was really nice for soothing so she didn't use my nipple as a paci!!!
I think I'll use one after getting the latch if the baby will take it. I actually think they're pretty cute. The ear infection thing worries me a little because I had awful, chronic ear infections as a LO (some of my first, worst memories... esp the tube surgery and waking up to no one in the room)-- but I think that was probably more due to second-hand smoke exposure (my dad smoked... later quit) than to a binky... I had no trouble weaning from them, but my brother was a nightmare. Cross that bridge when we come to it I guess!
I think I'll use one after getting the latch if the baby will take it. I actually think they're pretty cute. The ear infection thing worries me a little because I had awful, chronic ear infections as a LO (some of my first, worst memories... esp the tube surgery and waking up to no one in the room)-- but I think that was probably more due to second-hand smoke exposure (my dad smoked... later quit) than to a binky... I had no trouble weaning from them, but my brother was a nightmare. Cross that bridge when we come to it I guess!
I didn't think pacifiers caused or increased ear infections. I had horrible ear infections as a kid (did not use paci) and my daughter did use one (no ear infections). I will look into this:) It was nice during flights we took (keeps the ears from building up pressure. I also like the reduced SIDS factor with paci use!
Both of my LOs had one, DS got rid of his when he was 6 months, DD was a little over a year when we got rid of hers. I'm fine with them, as long as they're taken away in enough time for their teeth to be okay.
I was against them at first with Ingrid, but good lord is she a honey badger. So after a few weeks, I gave her the MAM kind (only kind she'd take) and we used them when she was fussy and in the car seat. She didn't want to sleep with it, though, spit it out right after falling asleep. Also, around 5 months she spit it out for good and that was it. She was still super fussy, just wouldn't take it anymore, and believe me I tried.
Re: Pacifiers- yay, nay, and why?
If baby ends up not taking, I'll deal with that when I need to, because I know it's a possibility.
I feel lucky because he threw his pacifier down around 10 months at bedtime when I gave it to him, so I put them all away and that was the end of it. Hopefully it's as easy with the next one
It was annoying when she used it when sleeping because she would cry when it fell out, so it was nice once she gave it up. I have to say it was really nice for soothing so she didn't use my nipple as a paci!!!