My 2 week old does not seem to settle without something in his mouth...he tries to suck on everything to sooth himself to sleep and I hate seeing him so frustrated..breastfeeding sooths him but I cant just latch him on every time he wants to sleep, even when he is not hungry, if this were the case he would be permanently attached to me!
Is there any reason not to give him a pacifier to sooth himself to sleep? I know they say not within the first month if breastfeeding, and I am breastfeeding, but there is no nipple confusion as he also takes expressed milk from a bottle no problem..also I would not plan on allowing using a dummy to continue for long, just until he can settle himself..or does anyone else have any other ideas on how to settle him?
2007-11-30 07:25:01 · 13 answers · asked by **sugarplum** 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Some babies just need to suck constantly for comfort. My son used to be the same way, so I gave him pacifier when he was one week old. We never had problems with breastfeeding. Babies are not stupid, they know the difference between breast and piece of silicon. And if it makes your little one happier, why wouldn't you give it to him?
2007-11-30 07:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by Matahari 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are pacifiers out there that are breastfeeding friendly. They usually have a nipple like shape and do not have the flattened end to it. Advent I believe makes one. I fhe is switching between the breast and bottle without a problem, a pacifier may actually be what he needs. It is normal for a baby to use sucking for comfort.
I would not recommend teaching him to suck on his fingers if he currently is not, that can become a bad habit that is very hard to break...such as the four year old thumb sucker. It is easier to break a pacifier habit than a more accessible finger
2007-11-30 07:33:26 · answer #2 · answered by lizards 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with giving your baby a pacifier. Some babies need that added sucking even though he's breast feeding. It's better to let him have a pacifier than to use you as one. If it soothes him, then so be it & don't let people tell you differently. I seem to recall seeing some pacifiers made for newborns but can't remember where. People who have never used pacifiers will tell you how bad they are but don't pay any attention to them. The main thing is that it'll soothe your baby to sleep & that's a good thing.
2007-11-30 07:41:23 · answer #3 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely nothing wrong with it at all, and no time limit (within reason - I think age 3 at the oldest). Just be aware of the need to sterilise them while he's tiny - but you're using bottles anyway - and to chuck them away if the teat develops a hole. You can get "orthodontic" dummies with a sort of flattened teat which are probably better for their teeth.
Mine had dummies, their teeth are straight and their speech has always been as clear as a bell. And they slept. Without a boob in their mouths 24/7 for the sake of it.
2007-11-30 07:44:13 · answer #4 · answered by who me? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was that way too at first. I was so determined not to give her a pacifier, but it got to the point where I just couldn't take it, so I gave in. She used it periodically for a few weeks and then didn't want it anymore. After a while she learned to sooth herself by sucking on her fingers. Now at 8 months she still needs to suck on something to fall asleep. She's smart about finding whatever she can now. If she has a stuffed animal, she'll suck on that. If not, she'll just resort to her shirt sleeve. So, I think it's okay to give her a pacifier when absolutely necessary. Just try not to let her get too attached to it.
2007-11-30 07:38:34 · answer #5 · answered by march2007mom 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
We had this one for all my nephews.
Playtex's Safe 'N Sure pacifier is made of soft, medical grade silicone with no hard parts. The one-piece design is safe, durable, and easy to clean and sterilize. It has a vanilla scent to help soothe your baby.
Playtex 2 Pack Safe N Sure Pacifier
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2792430#prod_prodinfo
2007-11-30 08:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by favorite_aunt24 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there is no nipple confusion, us the pacifier. Please don't use your own fingers or encourage your baby to use his own. Hands carry a lot of bacteria and germs even after washing. No need to expose him to unnecessary germs!
Not only that, it's easier to break a child from a pacifier than it is their own fingers. You can take away a pacifier but not his fingers!!
2007-11-30 07:35:19 · answer #7 · answered by Sweet 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The pacifier might amke his teeth crooked when he gets older but you don't want to have your finger in his mouth all of the time. try not to give it to him all of the time bc now my baby will not go to sleep most of the time with out it. now he is beginning to suck on his own fingers all og the time and does not nned the binkie as much. it is up to you tho
2007-11-30 08:28:38 · answer #8 · answered by Megan S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used a pacifier for my son-they actually gave it to him in the hospital (He was in NICU) He's 11 months old, and still uses it once in a while. I've never had a problem with him using it.
2007-11-30 07:33:30 · answer #9 · answered by kathsps 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Give him a pacifier.... its easier to break than thumb-sucking, more hygenic than your fingers, and has proven to reduce the risk of sids.
2007-11-30 07:46:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋