Is It Okay to Give My Baby a Pacifier if I'm Breastfeeding? Good news, mama - It is definitely okay to give your breastfeeding baby a pacifier! Studies have shown that pacifier use in breastfed babies has little to no impact in either the short or long term.
But here are the facts: When introduced correctly, pacifiers do not interfere with breastfeeding. Also, using a pacifier in the newborn period does not increase the risk of dental problems.
Nipple confusion is caused by introducing a pacifier or bottle after breastfeeding. It might seem like your baby forgot how to latch on to your breast. There are two types of nipple confusion.
The most important risks of this non-nutritive sucking habit are failure of breastfeeding, dental deformities, recurrent acute otitis media, and the possibility of accidents. The development of latex allergy, tooth decay, oral ulcers and sleep disorders are other problems encountered with pacifier use.
Breastfeeding problems
The shape and firmer feel of a dummy differs from your pliable breast. Some babies may prefer the stronger sucking trigger of a dummy, leading to 'confusion' about how to nurse at the softer breast. The result may be sore nipples for you and not enough milk for your baby.
DO wait until breastfeeding is going well. Babies can be comforted by using their sucking reflex. However, pediatricians and lactation consultants agree it's best to wait until breastfeeding is well-established before offering your baby a pacifier.
Check how your baby is sucking
If he latches on well and takes long, drawn out pulls, then he's likely hungry and actually eating. But if his sucking motion is shorter and shallower, then he's probably sucking for comfort.
Consider the drawbacks: Your baby might become dependent on the pacifier. If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you might face middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth. Pacifier use might increase the risk of middle ear infections.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents consider offering pacifiers to infants one month and older at the onset of sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
No, you don't have to remove your baby's pacifier after he or she is asleep. Even if the pacifier falls out while they are sleeping – which is quite common! – there is no need for you to reinsert it.
While bottle-fed babies can sleep with a pacifier from birth, breastfed infants should only sleep with a pacifier once they are at least 3 to 4 weeks old and have settled into a breastfeeding routine with no latching issues.
Although some babies will switch between a breast and a pacifier without problems, the difference in sucking action may cause some babies to take the breast with a shallow latch (sucking mostly on the nipple).
Pacifiers are provided for sick or preterm babies in the NICU: To calm their heart rate and breathing. To comfort during painful procedures. To develop sucking skills.
If not try to use minimal soothing to settle baby back down without the pacifier. Often jiggling the crib (so baby's head jiggles lightly) or gently patting baby's back like a tom tom are good non-invasive techniques.
Just be sure to pay attention to the condition of your baby's pacifiers and replace them right away if they begin to look worn out! Pacifiers cause colic. Weaning can be extra-difficult.
“Almost all babies will find some baby gas relief by sucking on a pacifier,” O'Connor says, because the sucking action releases endorphins that will soothe them. Infant massage. Simply rubbing your child's belly may be helpful, since massage can help calm the nerve signals in baby's immature intestines.
Beginning to nurse or feed your baby while they're still calm will facilitate the most successful breastfeeding results. Once crying begins, it can be harder to properly latch.
Signs your baby is getting enough milk
They seem calm and relaxed during feeds. Your baby comes off the breast on their own at the end of feeds. Their mouth looks moist after feeds. Your baby appears content and satisfied after most feeds.
In addition, sometimes fist clenching can be a sign of hunger or stress. “When newborns are hungry, their whole bodies tend to be clenched,” Witkin says. “This includes their fists. However, as they eat and become full, their fists will open and hands relax.”
As well as being frustrating and distressing for your baby, a poor breastfeeding latch can give you sore nipples. It may also mean your baby can't drain your breast effectively, leading to poor weight gain, reducing your milk supply, and putting you at increased risk of blocked milk ducts and mastitis.
Some causes of suck or latch-on problems: Prematurity. Labor and delivery medication. Down syndrome.
Pull your baby's chin down
With a shallow latch, your baby's chin and mouth are closed tighter than if her mouth and jaw were wide open. To help her develop a deep latch, pull her chin down to encourage her to open her mouth. Slip your finger between her chin and your breast and gently pull her chin down.
Pacifiers cause eventual crooked teeth.
However, pacifier use should be limited to less than 6 hours per day. With that in mind, it's important to remember that each child's mouth and teeth develop differently.