Do you plan to use a pacifier?

HBamama2B · January 2016

My MIL went on a tangent about pacifiers during our visit bc my BIL gave us one as a baby gift. I didn't realize she felt that strongly about not using them. Or that she felt she could mandate us not using them, lol. As a nanny I've worked for families that did and that did not. As FTM, DH and I haven't really thought about it. I think we'll just end up following AAP guidelines and see if the LO likes it. My MIL will freak, but luckily, it's not her kid. What about y'all? Have you gotten any feedback on your decision to use or not use if you've made one yet?

HBamama2B · January 2016

Ha! Totally meant to post this on my BMB. Glad it landed here and not in IF. That would have been a total fail!

andimegie325 · January 2016

It will depend on if he even wants to take it. I have a couple different ones packed in the hospital bag, and don't really plan on going whole-hog promoting their use, but if he takes to using one I'm not going to be majorly upset about it either. I know all the things they say about nipple confusion and what not, but in the end, we all do what we feel is best for us and our littles.

NB817 · January 2016

With DD we did not use one until she was almost a month old. I was set on BFing and didn't want to disturb the great latch she had and in the new moms support groups I went to at the hospital they suggested doing it that way. My plan is the same with this little guy. I'd rather give a pacifier than become a human pacifier.

KidShrink · January 2016

It's actually nice to have discussions about things that aren't fertility related! And generally, I find this board and all the infertility ones to be way less snarky than BMB!

I think it's one lf those things you have to play by ear. Maybe your kid will love it, maybe he won't. Apart from general security things (e.g. Don't throw you kid on the floor

), everything is a matter of personal choice, and some people take some of these choices way too at heart. As a child psychologist, I can tell you it takes a whole lot more than a pacifier to mess up a kid

HBamama2B · January 2016

Yeah- no snark. I think IF makes people recognize that the people on the other end of the board are you know, people.

marnief · January 2016

We had not planned to use a paci at all for DD1. But she was born via emergency C-section at 36 weeks because of complications, and she spent her first 48 hours in the NICU, and they gave her a paci. And then I felt like I couldn't take it away, because it clearly gave her great comfort. Around 1 year, we limited it to only in the crib (naptime / bedtime). DD2 is due in 1 week and I'm hoping she won't want/need a paci, but we will see. And of course, I can't force DD1 fully off the paci until I see whether DD2 takes one.

emsmama15 · January 2016

With my daughter, I tried to give her a paci for comfort (I work in the NICU @marnief so I'm a big fan of pacis). However, she is a thumb sucker and wanted NOTHING to do with a paci. HA! Oh well. If this one wants one, I'll give it to him/her. Working in the NICU, I also know nipple confusion is extremely rare and possibly non-existent in normal term infants.

jeannaqueena · January 2016

As pp said I would wait and see how your baby acts towards it. We did no paci's in the hospital to promote good early BFing habits. Then at home there were times my nipples were dying and bleeding and I needed a break. Both of my sons had horrible latches and I had to use a nipple shield anyway. But mine used them occasionally for the first month and then we're not interested. It's funny I just saw this post bc last night DH and I were just talking about this and we agreed moderation.

Remind your family gently that you appreciate their tips,but would like to figure out what works for your new family.

AdorkablePixie · January 2016

We will use one if needed, but we will not pop one in his mouth the moment he is born. Also, I've heard (don't know if it's true) that giving them a pacifier too soon after birth could mess with breastfeeding.

Knottie4978096 · January 2016

Here's the experience from my nieces - our hospital doesn't recommend them for the 1st month, but my sister didn't want to be used as a human paci. Then, the pediatrician recommended using a paci to help with the horrible reflux they both had. Fast forward 2 years and it's difficult to break the 2.5 year old of her paci in prep for preschool. So they have pros and cons. Thumb sucking is harder to break and can make their teeth crooked, so there are drawbacks there as well. And then your kids might just decide to do what they want whether you like it or not.

HBamama2B · January 2016

@AdorkablePixie the AAP recommends use from 1 mth to 1 year to lower sids risk. The 1 mth start is to prevent 'nipple confusion' although the data on that is inconclusive as to whether there is a linked impact.

Do you plan to use a pacifier?

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