To paci or not to paci- that is the question.

[gracepaints]

...double post.

 

[gracepaints]

Yes! Stay in bed! If you don't, I will come find you and sit on you! (Wait, that would be bad. I'll just tuck you in really tight so you can't get out.) I really wish I had stayed in bed after my kid was born.

 

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Well if it means getting you out to visit

 

[Assisi]

Two things to bear in mind (which I don't think have been mentioned) in my opinion are that 1: The period of infertility following birth which is promoted by exclusive breastfeeding can be compromised by the use of a pacifier. and 2: Many children who aren't given a pacifier start to suck their thumbs instead (babies have different needs for non nutritive sucking as was mentioned) and it is easier to wean a child off a pacifier than it is to wean them off their thumb.

There are pros and cons. We think the pros outweigh the cons.

 

[llghoney]

I plan on using them. Maybe not right away but eventually I probably will. I've bought I think 2 so far.

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

we used them from day one with both our kids. It was very helpful to us those first few months - for them to have something else to suck on to soothe them.

With my first, we had a little bit of a challenge with attaching (thanks to flat nipples -sorry if TMI), and I ended up with grazes after a couple of days, we gave her a dummy which she loved and it actually helped my DD understand that she needed a whole mouthfull of breast (rather than sucking the tip) and helped her attach better...

With my second, we were armed and ready with a dummy (here in aus!) when he got here...

Both my kids wouldn't have a bar of them as soon as they turned 3 months old... they spat them out and we haven't used them since...

 

[bliz]

Breastfed three kids and never used pacifiers. It just seemed to me that it was one thing to many to have to worry about and transport and keep track of.

 

[heart of peace]

I was intent on not using pacifiers at all. At the time I had only read up on Dr. Sears' brand of parenting and I was instantly hooked. I thought to myself, only breastfeeding, no pacifiers! I even chose a hospital that has a no pacifier policy to ensure that I wouldn't give in at a moment of weakness.


Well, out popped my little bundle of....uhh Temper (yes with a capital T) and I was desperate to help calm him especially because we had some serious latch issues in the hospital with breastfeeding and I was recovering from a C. One of the nurses took pity on me...lol and gave me a bottle nipple with a piece of gauze stuck in it so that he could suck on the nipple like a pacifier. Needless to say, I went out and purchased several of them as it turned out my son like to nurse and nurse and nurse and nurse and....well, my nipples demanded a break. I suffered a bit of slack at the LLL meetings showing up with a breastfed pacifier sucking baby! He let go of the pacifier at 9 months when I was in a better position to allow him to cry and release his tension however long he needed.

Oh, and it did not cause any nipple confusion.

 

[RedTulipMom]

Some babies really need a paci because they are big suckers. Others aren't interested.
my oldest took a paci till he was 18 mos old.
my 2nd son was never interested in a paci no matter how much i tried giving him one.
my youngest took a paci till she was 9 mos old then didnt want it anymore.

i never had nipple confusion with my kids, they had no problem BFing and paci right from day one

 

[Redstiletto]

I would love it if my son would take a paci... but he refuses!!! So instead he just stays latched on, until he is fully asleep... which makes it hard for me because he forgets that he is latched on and bites down!!!!

Oh how I wish my little man would take a paci! At least to bed!