What are some tips for getting a breast fed baby to take a pacifier?

Question

She is 2 weeks old.

Answer 1

First of all, wait until baby is at least 2 months old *and* has been nursing well for at least a month. If you give a pacifier too early, you increase the likelihood that the baby will not nurse correctly--leading (potentially) to low weight gain and sore nipples. Some people say 1 month is fine to wait, but it does increase the risk of "nipple confusion" if you do it before 2 months.

Then... Try different ones. Try warming it up before offering it. Try at different times of day, especially when baby is starting to fall asleep. Try having someone other than the mother offer it--if mother is there, baby wants the real thing, not a plastic substitute.

Whatever you do, do *not* put honey on it the way many older books (and people) recommend. Honey is not a *high* risk food (it is only *rarely* contaminated), but it can occasionally cause infant botulism. And a breastfed baby shouldn't get *any* food other than your milk until the age of 6 months. Highly processed sugars--like honey, even if it is bees who do the processing--are also unnecessary for *any* baby!

One last thought... Recent research showed that babies who get a pacifier are more likely to die of SIDS on a night when they don't have one. The fact is that SIDS is highly unlikely (1-2 per thousand babies), but I can practically guarantee that *you* won't sleep a wink the night that you break or lose the last pacifier in the house right before bedtime!!

Answer 2

You might have to try some different brands. My youngest son wouldn't take the Nuk brand pacifiers that we had, so I tried the Mini-Mam brand, and he liked that kind.

Try tapping the plastic part with your fingernail and sometimes that will encourage them to take it.

Most docs don't want you to use a pacifier a lot in the first month, because they need to nurse a lot to get enough nourishment. And, unfortunately, you may have a baby who won't take one. My oldest son spat it out with such force it would hit the side of his bassinet and clink against it! But my younger son liked his "noogies" so much, I had to take them away when he was 3 years old! it's so embarrassing to take a 3-year-old with a pacifier to the store....

Answer 3

Pacifiers are not something I would encourage a child to use. Lots of info will tell you they are harmful, and VERY addictive into later years. Some info will tell you they are ok.

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/117/5/1755?rss=1
DEFINATELY GO TO THAT SITE, gave me a whole different perspective

But if you choose that a "paci" is best, try a "preemie" one. That's the only one my son would take, for about 2 minutes before he popped it out. He was what they called a "tongue sucker"~preferred the texture of his tongue over rubber, don't blame him
Good luck and make sure to read for and against info on pacifier use

Answer 4

Babies do not need pacifiers especially if they are breast feeding! I was told not to give a baby one by a lactation consultant. They learn to suck differently and won't latch on correctly.
My baby never had one, don't force her too. It's not natural for the baby to constantly suck on something just so she doesn't cry. Also they are extremely hard to break the habit when they are older, I hate to see a three year old walking around with a pacifier! You wonder what those parents are thinking? Please don't give her one, she doesn't need it!

Answer 5

Speaking from experience (2 children ages 1 year and almost 2 1/2 years who still use pacifiers)...do NOT force your baby to take a pacifer if she doesn't want it! Babies don't need them...sucking is a natural, calming action for babies. Especially babies as young as yours. That's the only way she can calm herself right now. If she really doesn't want it, don't give it to her!

Answer 6

If she does not take it and she is sucking well when she feeds, dont worry about it. That is just one less thing you have to lose and one less thing that can become a habit. My son never took a pacifier and never had problems .....my daughter did from the second she was born (was either that or thumb sucking!!) and it was "hell" (pardon the word) to get her off of it. Be thankful she doesnt take it.

Answer 7

Honey is NOT good for babies lots of bacteria, salmonella, and stuff. Offer it to her often, don't force it; it is best that she finds her own thumb to self sooth. Also try different types of paci's. You should buy the book by Tracy Hogg "The Baby whisperer" she also has one for toddlers and another one about asking the pediatrician all the right questions. Excellent read I am a mother of one living more than 3 hours from mom, sisters, and mom in-law (Thank God). This book was a real life saver. Good luck & Congrats!!!

Answer 8

well, it going to take her some getting used to, you still want to breast feedd with her only 2 weeks so, take her right of the breast and put it in her mouth,i don't know honey. I hope it ain't to hard on ya.take care, or yourself, and the baby. congrats on the new arrival.

Answer 9

go online to baby.com and request a magazine they carry pacifiers that mimic the nipple...yep it's cheating but it has given me plenty of rest lately. Good luck

Answer 10

I have a 1 year old who is addicted to her pacifer. I wish I never introduced her to it. Her teeth are being pushed up from always having the pacifer in her mouth.