Can I use a pacifier with my breastfed baby?

Pacifiers are an oral sensory tool that help newborns self regulate in between feeds. They can help reduce reflux by keeping baby sucking and swallowing saliva. They can help a baby transition to sleep. The pacifier is designed after the breast (and not the other way around). Which means the breast is also an oral sensory tool that helps babies self regulate between feedings. The breast can be used to “rest and digest” after a feeding by allowing the baby to suck as long as mutually desired by you and the baby. It’s also a phenomenal tool to help baby transition to sleep. By 4-6 month the baby has new ways to soothe (touch, sound, music, rocking etc.) and this is the ideal time to ditch the pacifier (but the breast can continue to be used for its intended purpose). Psychological attachments are forming as baby transitions from a passive newborn to an interactive baby. This is the age where an attachment and association of pacifier use is made as baby transitions to learn cause and effect. If the pacifier is used for sleep, the association is made in this stage. If the pacifier is used passed this age, the more difficult it can be for many to wean from it. While pacifiers can be a great tool to help baby soothe, limit use to just while soothing and not during all waking hours.

The long term impact of over use of pacifiers can be dental issues, palatal vault changes and speech sound errors as well as the stress of weaning. Remember: babies never NEED to take a pacifier. You are the best comfort for your child. So if you baby won’t take one, it’s not necessarily a sign that something is wrong.

I used to say: Find a round shape that promotes a deep latch, like the Avent Soothie, Dr Brown’s, @leeleeandmeco and the @ninnipacifier. BUT My professional opinion has changed after a lot of research: if you’re only using a pacifier for these purposes, use whatever pacifier your baby takes. If you’re using a pacifier as a suck training tool, a round/cylindrical shape is preferred for working on skills at the breast.

#paciferclip #pacifiers #pacifierholder #newbornposing #newbornprops #newbornsession #pregnancyadvice #pregnancyjourney

[Ray-jnnu]

I used a pacifier and it made my baby prefer the pacifier nipple rather than my own. True headache. Had to go to a lactation consultant to have my baby re-latch to my nipple. My advice, don’t introduce it too early.. for the exclusively breastfeeding mamas

[yt_chaos_yt]

My midwife threw my babies dummy out she said dont confuse your baby and feed him feeding time is very important time to bond with your baby with exponential health benefits for both mum & baby.

[em-hwcv]

Nope they are trash and hard to take away don’t use them