is there anything bad about using a pacifier? will it make his teeth come in funny or make breastfeeding fail?

Question

i started using a pacifier with my 5 day old and it has been the only thing that has soothed his crying (other than nursing for hours on end).
i thought i once heard some people say it can cause his teeth to be crooked but others dont' believe that.
so far breastfeeding is still going fine but will continued pacifier use make him less interested in the breast because its not as easy as the pacifier to suck on?

Answer 1

my 1 year old had a pacifier till he was around 9/10months and his teth are fine and he was breastfed till he was 8 months (stopped coz i was pregnant again) so I'm sure you will be fine as long as you don't let him have it too long :)

Answer 2

There is a section in the book Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing about this. The author was in the dental business before she wrote the book. Pacificers and bottles cause a baby to use a forward tongue thrusting motion which is different from what the tongue does during breastfeeding. It does affect teeth development and language development. I would either buy the book or go to the book store and read that one chapter. Using a pacifier can interrupt breastfeeding-she talks about this too. Breastfeeding is more than just nourishment so when a baby is not pacified at the breast it disrupts it's feeding as well. Babies have to work at the breast but as you said, pacifiers are easier. This can make baby more frustrated at the breast. I would read the book.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with using a pacifier. Your baby's teeth will not be made any different for using one. He should not be any less interested in breast feeding either. He will know which one satisfies his hunger and his sense of smell will let him know he is close to mom. If it soothes him and gives you a break that is a good thing. I believe they help during the teething times too. The choice is certainly up to you. Trust your mom instincts. No one knows your baby like you do. If you feel this is a helpful tool for you both then by all means use one. This habit - just like breast or bottle can be weaned away.

Answer 4

Pacifiers are linked with early weaning, however for some families they may be the only option. Do however be sure to offer the breast frequently. Pacifiers also are linked with nipple confusion during the early weeks. Babies are meant to nurse for hours at end, non-nutritive suckling also stimulates mom's supply and you need a huge supply. Please go to a lactation consultant and make sure he is effectively emptying the breast when he is nursing, then in all likelihood a pacifier is fine, however generally it is best not to introduce them before 6 weeks as the first 6 weeks are key for building up a milk supply and learning to breastfeed.

Also it is VERY important that you boil the pacifiers at least once a day to prevent thrush.

I also personally believe that babies should be "pacified" or comforted by parents, not things. Daddy's finger is a preferred pacifier for many babies and mom's fingers and nipples second. This also gives daddy an important role to the baby. This is a *personal* opinion, not based in fact. There is no evidence that suggests that babies who rely on this for comfort have any differences than those who don't.

Answer 5

It's a little early to introduce one right now. It *SHOULD* seem like he is always nursing if he is only 5 days old. That's how he is going to establish your supply. He should be nursing about every 2 hours, from the start of one feeding to the start of the next. (So if a feeding takes 30 mins, that's only 90 mins off the breast in between.) Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes and his tummy is TINY.....only the size of his fist. I'd really encourage you to wait a couple of weeks (say at least 4 weeks) before offering a pacifier.

Answer 6

You just need to use it judiciously...if he hasnt eaten in 3 hours...its time for breast, not pacifier. You need to remember to let him nurse until he is content...and yes...with LOTS of kids that feels like 24 hours a day. To nurse less often can interfere with milk production....as in you may not make enough, if he doesnt suck enough....So use it with caution. I have no idea about the teeth thing...

Answer 7

I've heard the same thing, but when you baby wants to suck what are you going to do just let them cry? No way. You may want to try the Playtex Ortho-Pro pacifiers. They are designed by orthodontists to help eliminate crooked teeth and crowding. I've heard these are wonderful.

If your baby is hungry he will figure out very quickly that he can't get milk from his pacifier. He will go to your breast when he's ready to eat.

Answer 8

If the pacifier was going to keep your baby from accepting your breast, you would have noticed by now. So don't worry about that. Pacifiers are also great in that babies who use them are 50% less likely to die of SIDS (as are breastfeed babies).

As far as the teeth thing, don't get too concerned until your child has adult teeth.

Answer 9

okay, you can regualte how long you want your baby to use it adn when (situations). i saw a 4 year old with a pacifier, no kidding. my neighbor brests feeds and her baby has a pacifier. she is fine. the crooked teeth thing is dependent on a lot of things, but not a pacifier. its called baby bottle teeth. when you let your baby (with teeth) drink milk to fall asleep the milk left in the mouth will ruine teeth. you can look into it more but never let a baby with teeth fall asleep at the breast or with a bottle. also, if you let a baby suck on a bottle all day long the milk will weaken the teeth causing them to deterioate adn move forward.

Answer 10

If breastfeeding is going well it shouldnt. Dummy will not make his teetch bad ect, a thumb would cos more damage.

The hardest thing about the dummy to be honest is getting it of them. Dummys collaspe in the mouth so this is the reason it wont damage teeth and a thumb can.