We're concerned about nipple confusion for our 8 day old.
2007-02-20 15:34:35 · 17 answers · asked by Tomi 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Studies have shown that using a pacifier in the first few weeks can be related to difficulties in breastfeeding. As such, it is probably a good idea to wait until the child is at least 3-4 weeks old. However, my son was in special care for the first two weeks of his life and since I was not always available to be there to soothe him, I gave him a pacifier from day 3 or 4. I found that he had no confusion at all with breastfeeding.
Many people have strong feelings about using pacifiers. Here's an interesting site about the pros and cons of using a pacifier:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacifiers/PR00067
Good luck with your bundle of joy!
2007-02-20 15:46:18 · answer #1 · answered by wd2crv 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When and if there's no other option. Not all babies enjoy pacifiers... some can't seem to be happy without them. Two of mine loved theirs... the third? She couldn't STAND a pacifier.. preferred her middle and ring fingers in the mouth... from day one!
With an 8-day old, I can see your concern with nipple confusion. I'd wait as long as you can, if he's fussy. Try everything else possible to avoid the pacifier as long as possible... If it becomes necessary, hopefully, by then, he'll realize he's not getting anything tasty out of it and it won't last long. Or, he may not like the shape of the nipple... or he may love it and it'll be a useful tool for you. They're all different... and there's no telling what the magic combination will be. You just have to be smart about trying different things out.
Sounds like you're thinking it through, though... GOOD JOB!!
Oh! Also... at this point, until your milk is REALLY flowing, I'd let him nurse as much as he wants instead of trying a pacifier... If he spends part of his time sucking on a pacifier, he may not have the strength to nurse properly, to encourage milk production and flow... And then you're in a vicious cycle of not having the milk to keep him satisfied... so he cries... so you give him the pacifier, thinking he's full but fussy... so you make less milk... see?
2007-02-20 18:42:51 · answer #2 · answered by Amy S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I waited a month, but that's not necessary!
Gerber NUK pacifier is best for your baby. It's shaped like what the actual nipple would be in the mouth of the baby. My son had one of these and he never got confused. I think by now your baby should know what the nipple feels like in her mouth.
The gerber NUK is really cheap, on a buck or two for one. Well worth a try before investing in all sorts of other pacifiers. I recommend this to any mom and dad. AND they also have the gerber NUK nipple for bottles. It's vented so that the baby doesn't swallow too much air. Perfect for times that you are out and leave pumped milk at home or whatnot, the baby will be used to the NUK pacifier, and so he'll love the nipple on the bottle too.
Great for supplementing and when you do decide to wean the baby off.
Good luck and a big pat on the back for choosing to feed your baby the best food of all, your own breastmilk!
Good job mommy!
2007-02-20 15:39:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used a bottle designed for nursing babies at a million.5 weeks observed as the breast flow. I presented a pacifier at 6 weeks. I went with the as quickly as observed as closest to nature. My toddler has been waiting to latch directly to me all alongside with out any themes. It in all hazard relies upon on the baby nonetheless. The preserve is already like a nipple so it is going to in all hazard be ok. My suggestion is that in case you opt to apply a pacifier shrink the use to sleep time and extension between feeding cases. do no longer make it consistent through fact is quite addicting and a lot of toddlers get addicted to it and have hardship giving it up. Then it ends up in speech delays.
2016-10-16 03:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think our boy had a harder time acclamating to the breast then the bottle...my wife works and pumps the feedings for me. I'm not quite sure how we did it , such that nipple confusion hasnt been an issue for him... he goes readily back and forth. I think because we were patient with him and also the bottle got equal billing with him so that my wife could get a good nites sleep. I think that the nuk pacifiers had something to do with it as well.
2007-02-20 15:53:02 · answer #5 · answered by kramelop 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would make sure your baby is well adjusted to breastfeeding before you give them a pacifier so that they don't get confused I gave my son a pacifier before he was two weeks old and he hasn't had any confusion so best of luck
2007-02-20 15:43:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't at all. At 8 days old your still really working on getting your milk supply in so you really don't want a substitute for your breast. When your baby is sucking on the pacifier, he/she could be suckling at your breast helping regulate your milk supply.
2007-02-21 03:11:56 · answer #7 · answered by Angela G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can give it to him at anytime..... trust me, they'll be no nipple confusion. Although some babies do not like pacifiers, let him try it and see if he likes it.
2007-02-20 15:40:03 · answer #8 · answered by fefe917 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when i gave birth the nurse gave my daughter a pacifier 5 hours after she was born... I fully breastfeed my daughter and there has never been any confusion... Go ahead give it to your baby, it WILL calm her down....eventually good luck and good job
2007-02-20 15:48:38 · answer #9 · answered by kbc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
technically, whenever you want. you will always run the risk of nipple confusion. the most important thing is that you have a good (bre*stfeeding) realationship with the baby and that you have a good latch and good milk supply. congrats on the baby and if you e-mail me i'll have my mom answer any of your questions!
2007-02-20 15:39:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋