Newborn and pacifers?

Question

How old should our newborn be before we let him use a pacifer? He was born on January 19th. I am breastfeeding him and he's been having problems latching on.

Answer 1

WAIT!!!!
My daughter also had some issues latching on at first, but PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP YET!!!!! You can buy a Medela nipple shield from Target, or WalMart, they cost 5 or 6 bucks.You may also want to go to the pharmacy and ask for a syringe with the long little spout thing on the end. Try to put the nipple shield on, and if your baby still won't suck on it use the syringe to put some breast milk in the nipple part, it will encourage him to suck, if he can taste the milk.The whole thing with the nipple shield is that it is bigger than your nipple and makes the baby "think" that's it.It may take you a few trys but don't give up, he will get it.Once he gets latched on, give him a minute or two and then remove the nipple shield and try to give him your breast again.He WILL get the hang of it...Once he has established the whole process, then I would give him a pacifier, but wait until he has the hang of breastfeeding FIRST, or the whole "nipple confusion" will never go away..
If you need anymore help, you can also call the La Leche League in you area, or call the lactation consultant at the hospital where you gave birth.But they will tell you what I just did.

Answer 2

Don't let your little one use a pacifier if you want to breastfeed - at least not until you have gotten a good latch, and are comfortably breastfeeding. A pacifier isn't shaped like you; you don't want the baby to get confused about you and the paci.

For problems with latching, i highly recommend www.kellymom.com, and www.babycenter.com - both have a ton of info) on babycenter, go to the community -> bulletin boards -> parenting -> breastfeeding ... theres multiple boards, with great advice and tips). I also recommend that you speak with a lactation consultant (can be found through your OB's office or the local hospital) or with la leche league. I couldn't have done it without a lactation consultant!

ps - just read some of the other responses - doesn't sound like any of the others breastfed little ones, so be careful about taking advice about pacifiers for BREASTFED infants from someone used to feeding the baby through a bottle. Incidentally, my little one did get bottles after I went back to work (some breastmilk that I could pump, remainder formula), but by then had no interest in pacifier; a baby that gets a bottle all the time won't find a pacifier very different, but a baby getting breastfed will feel the difference, and it may change the latch.

Answer 3

With the latching issue - are you working with a lactation consultant or another experienced mommy? Either would be a wonderful resource to help! Most info I read when researching the issue myself recommended no pacifier until breastfeeding is firmly established. My son used a pacifier right away but had no trouble breastfeeding - he even switched between breast and bottle with ease. We chose to use a pacifier for two big reasons: 1) emerging research pointing to a decrease in SIDS deaths with pacifier use during the first year and 2) you can take a pacifier away but you can't take thumbs or fingers away. Our son is one year now and he still loves his paci but we have weaned it down to naps and bedtime only with no trouble. Good luck to you and do what you think is best. Also, as for the breastfeeding, keep trying but if it doesn't work don't be hard on yourself!

Answer 4

Ah... the pacifier question I had to deal with as well. My daughter is 4 months and she uses one, now. But only because she latches on ok. But this was not the case at first.

Several experts say no artifical nipples at all for at least the first month if not 6 weeks. I know this is not always possible if you are pumping to keep up your supply and feed your little one. You could try to feed your baby using a syringe or spoon until you get your latching on established. Once he is older you should be able to use pacifiers and bottles without any problem.

It will happen, I promise you. Do not give up.

Answer 5

When i had my little man on October 24th, 2006 I was also breastfeeding with no problems latching on. The hospital told me not to give him a pacifer because of nipple confusion. I had to give him a pacifer because babies are born with a sucking reflex..it calms them. If not he would have breastfed 24 hours a day. He never got nipple confused and now he doesn't even like the pacifier. I would give your little baby one just to give you a break and calm him/her down a little. Babied need to suck on something its in their nature

Answer 6

Depends on your priorities. If you are having trouble with latching on,and nursing is important to you, wait to start a paci. Think how frustrating it is to you whe you hav difficulty getting him to latch on, and then multiply it by about 10 for him- after all, he's the one who's hungry. If you give him the paci, he may learn it is 'easier' than nursing and still gives some satisfaction. Then you'll have even more difficulty.

If him having a paci at some point is more important to you than nursing, you should give it now or soon. Few babies take to one if they are given it after the first several weeks.

Your best compromise is to work hard on teaching him to latch on- as soon as he can do it with minimal frustration, it's a good time to give the paci.

Answer 7

I know there is lots of information about the potential for nipple confusion, but in my experience, it does not have to be an issue. When my son was born, he too had trouble latching on. But he really, really wanted to suck. My nipples were getting so sore, as he could suck and suck! So we gave him a soother when he was 3 days old and he was fine. His latch was perfected by the time he was one month. He is now 7 months old and still using his soother and is still nursing.

Tip: If your nipples are getting sore, lanolin (such as Lansinoh) really works!!

Good luck working on the latch! It will come!

Answer 8

I breatfed my daughter,a nd she always used a pacifer, If you go to babys'r'us or other baby stores you can find ones, that are actually geared toward breastfed infants. If you are having problems latching on you can see your local lactation speacialist. They helped me alot with my first child. You can usually find them at any maternity ward...and some health departments. Good luck!

Answer 9

Both my children were premature and both were given pacifiers the day they were born. My son who is now 8 months old pretty much gave up the pacifier on his own though I still keep one in his crib and he'll put it in his mouth on a rare occasion. I think more for comfort since babies have a natural instinct to suck.

Also as much as you want to breastfeed and I applaud you for the attempt your little one may not want to be breast fed. Both my godchildren refused the breast no matter what their mother did. I wish you luck

Answer 10

My son started using one since the day he was born. He used them the first year and than he didn't want them any more. Depends on your child. Some will take them and some just don't want them at all.