Breastfeeding is very important to me. When I give the baby a pacifier, she seems to get confused about the difference of the pacifier and the breast. The nurse says pacifiers can help prevent SIDS and it's a great soother for her...especially at night. However, she doesn't seem to want the breast after having had the pacifier. Any suggestions? Is there something else to soothe her at night so I can get a little bit of rest? She is a big time suckler....she always seems to have to suck on something to keep her calm. (4 days old)
2006-09-21 12:58:20 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
give her a pacifier, that's why they're called pacifiers
2006-09-21 13:00:38 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No matter what she's going to let you know when she's hungry. If she isn't feeding after using the pacifier, that's probably because she doesn't need to be pacified. Plenty of babies breastfeed and use a pacifier, and end up fine. The theory on pacifiers is that the baby doesn't latch on properly, or nurse a lot to increase your milk supply, both of which are preventable. There is no nipple confusion with the pacifier, one she gets food and the other she doesn't. She knows the difference. There is a lot of hype about breastfeeding and pacifiers, but that's not necessarily based on facts, some is just on opinion. Whereas, the SIDS reduction is fact. Why would any doctor suggest something that would interfere with breastfeeding? They wouldn't. It's going to be easier for you to be a great mother, and for her to be a great baby if you're both well-rested. Remember that sleep at this point is vital for the both of you. It doesn't sound like you're having and issues breastfeeding, so you should be fine. You are her mother, and you'll know when she's hungry VS just wanting to be pacifier. Any baby can be broken from the pacifier at any time, some even just give it up after a couple months. And as far as prolonging her desire to be pacified, that's just not true, some babies grow out of the need to be pacified, and some don't (pacifying in any way, bottle, binky, breast, or even a special cuddly toy or blankie). If you can't sleep at night, and a pacifier works for you, think about this. Would you rather be alert to give her your full attention when she feeds, or just be half awake for the first few months. Your time is going to be more precious and better for you both if you're rested. And if that's the way you feel, only give it to her when she's in bed at night, then she will associate it with such, and it won't be such a big issue to break her of it. Trust your instincts, and remember that you know her best, not anyone else. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you are her mother, and it sounds like you're going to be a great mother, but don't let anyone talk you into or out of something. That's your decision, and yours alone. Last but not least, discuss it with your health-care professional. Best of luck and congrats!
2006-09-21 22:01:27 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa, That's me! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very happy to hear that you are breastfeeding.
I breastfed both my daughters (1 for 12 months, the other for 15 months). I used a pacifier for my first daughter ONLY once during church, otherwise it was all me. Never used a pacifier for my 2nd daughter.
Since your daughter is only 4 days old, she's probably just extra hungry and wants extra cuddle time. She IS only 4 days old. Her body needs all the nutrition it can get, so it's normal to want to suck all the time.
As far as getting rest at this early stage, it's not going to happen...lol... A 4-day old infant wants to be fed, at the very least, every 2 - 3 hours, sometimes even sooner.
Calming your 4-day old daughter takes patience. If you don't want to use a pacifier due nipple confusion, then don't use it. It's definitely not worth using a pacifier if it means your daughter not wanting to breastfeed after using one. Invest your time and lack of sleep into your daughter. It is worth the black bags under your eyes in the long run. :-)
Here's something to think about: If you start using a pacifier now, you not only might hinder your daughter wanting to breastfeed, but you will PROLONG her NEED to be soothed by a pacifier. Think about it. Everytime your daughter makes a fuss, you give her a paci. Yes, it's convenient, but your daughter WILL become dependent on that pacifier to calm herself. Believe it or not, infants have the ability to learn to be calmed without a pacifier. Rocking them gentlly, singing to them are ways to soothe an infant.
If you do plan on using a pacifier, just keep in mind that should your INFANT daughter get used to being soothed by a pacifier, it will continue into her TODDLER years. It will be a lot more difficult to take it away from her when she's a toddler.
Hope this helps!
2006-09-21 20:28:43 · answer #3 · answered by Just Me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
4 days old and will use a pacifier? Wow! I would forget the pacifier if at all possible. I breastfed my daughter, and did not use a pacifier. I think (my opinion only) that a pacifier will lead to dental problems. Plus, going from a pacifier to the breast has already confused your baby, why keep using it? What nurse told you about pacifiers and SIDS? I do not believe that, I think she is incorrect. I would drop the pacifier. Could you place her next to you in bed, then you could be lying down and if she wakes up, nurse her. I did that with my daughter, but it is not for everyone, I am a very light sleeper. Many people are against it, but if you can try it. In my opinion only, I would prefer a thumb to a plastic pacifier. But anything besides the breast will be a hard habit to break. Good luck! Hope you can get some answers to help you. Motherhood is rewarding, but tough.
2006-09-21 20:24:49 · answer #4 · answered by Dawn C 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They prevent SIDS by not allowing her to sleep as deep as she would without one.
Try to only give it to her when she needs it--some people use it as a plug. If she's 4 days old, you are still learning a lot!! WOW!
However, just because you don't give her a pacifier doesn't mean she'll get SIDS. It's laying on the stomach that is the real threat.
Try a swing or a vibrating chair for the evenings. Offer the "binky" but don't expect it to take care of all of your problems. It shouldn't be the ONLY thing keeping her soothed. She's 4 days old! She's still learning. Swaddle her, keep her close, and mimic the life of the womb. That's what she needs to soothe her more than anything!
2006-09-21 20:18:46 · answer #5 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not big on pacifiers but do think when that young that if they have to suck to give them a pacifier for a bit to soothe them, just don't use them all the time. You could try a different shape of pacifier, I found one brand worked over the normal shaped ones better for my daughter when she was that young.
2006-09-21 20:07:42 · answer #6 · answered by Katie Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give the baby a pacifier. A baby will never take a pacifier and confuse it with food. She just might not be hungry, that's why she might not want to nurse. I bought many different brands for my kids to find one that they liked. The only ones they ever took were mamm Binky's. Plus, if you don't get her pacifier trained she might use you as a pacifier and really mess up your milk. That's what happened to me. My son would nurse and spit out the milk. I was in so much pain because I was full all of the time.
2006-09-21 20:06:03 · answer #7 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My son is 1 month and 3days old he loves his pacifier and my 61/2 year daughter could not have dealt with teething with out it when she finished teething she was done with her pacifier and never need it again. Let her have it, if it soothes her then what can it hurt and as for your problem with her not taking the breast find some pacifiers that are as close to the breast as you can get I use Avent bottles when I give my son pumped milk so I also use Avent pacifiers.
2006-09-21 20:09:50 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Ta Loca♥ 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Breastfeeding also reduces her risk of SIDS. Try showing her hand to her. Be patient, she is still very young. My daughter is 5 months old and breastfed, I have used a pacifier once, for a plane trip. (She didn't really understand.) Another option (not my favorite) is to rest while she suckles, then move her back or have significant other do it. We have had to do this many-a-night in our household, and yes sometimes we all fall asleep and don't wake til morning. It all works out though.
2006-09-22 00:33:23 · answer #9 · answered by Sabrina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say not to give a pacifier until the baby is at least 6 weeks old if you are breastfeeding because it causes nipple confusion. That's probably what's happening. Try not to give it to her until then.
2006-09-21 20:17:19 · answer #10 · answered by lynnca1972 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give her the pacifier. She has had only 4 days to try and distinguish the difference. She'll catch on, just keep it up!
2006-09-21 20:07:27 · answer #11 · answered by #3ontheway! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋