The Pacifier, Binky, Nuk, Etc....What Do You All Think??

[EastSnyder]

I've been torn over the use of the pacifier since the day that we brought JM home. We are exclusively breastfeeding and things have gone well from the get-go...he's now 12 weeks and healthy. We've used a pacifier intermittently and he really digs the sucking. I don't like to give it to him for long and all in all I try to avoid it...but at the same time...when all else has failed and the little man is not hungry, dirty, etc....the pacifier is a real soother for him.

SO....who uses a pacifier and who doesn't? I've read the books regarding the pros and cons to their use but I was looking for some "real time"answers from you all. I've noticed that a lot of breastfeeding moms are "non-binky" users...am I missing something??

[Brianna]

It's your call. Give him the binky if it makes your life easier and it doesn't interfere with breastfeeding. My ds never took a binky. I waited 6 weeks to introduce the binky b/c I didn't want to cause nipple confusion. At 6 weeks he just wasn't interested. If he would have used it, I would have given it to him.

[intokermit]

My ds won't take a binky now. He used to, but he prefers the real thing to a fake nipple any day. It all depends on the baby. He won't even suck his thumb. He would rather suck on my arm ro finger before he sucks on anything else. Now, my sisters were binky babies, and they were EBF. It really depends on what you want to do. They aren't bad, but it can be a bad habit to break when they are older.

[pumpkinhead7]

Pacifiers can be a great tool if used judiciously. In a well established breastfeeding relationship, they can be a godsend for babies with reflux or if Mom has OALD or OS issues especially with a baby with high sucking needs. Both of mine took sookies and we've never had any BF issues attributed to them.

They can be misused, just as any other piece of baby equipment can be, but I think that if they are used as a last resport and you always make sure your baby isn't hungry first, they can be very helpful.

[Pumplicious]

I WISH my baby took to her pacifier! Instead, she just screams her head off in her carseat. The pacifier can be really useful for soothing babies in such situations as cars and airplanes.

We gave DD pacifiers beginning at about 6 weeks. She's not so interested in them, just likes to chew on the side of them. She is still BFing strong at 11 1/2 months. I think every baby is different, and as a mama, you just have to use your best judgment.

[Joyto5]

I used a Binky because of my babies high need to suck and my OALD. They only wanted to suck, not take a shower. I didn't give my last one a binky till he was about 6 weeks old and I knew we were passed the nipple confusion stage. He went right for it!

As for weaning from them. It was SOOO much easier since I was still BFing when we took it away. His big Sis had some issues with her teeth being ruined by it. Since they both took the same brand, and she would snatch his, we had to remove all binkies from the house.

[Melinda32]

I was horrible... started using one in the hospital before we even left... DD just loves to suck on things. She's 5 days now and luckily there has been no nipple confusion.

[ScarySnort]

DS had one starting in the hospital. He gave it up all on his own at 2yrs 4days old.

I've just given DD a soother in the last few days. She's 8wks. She isn't crazy about it but it does seem to help right now. I think she was biting her thumb and hurting herself, but with the soother she can bite and suck.

[pumpkinhead7]

I think it's pretty important to at least wait until after your milk is in to introduce one unless your baby is in the NICU or must be separated from you. Newborns are born with the need to seek out the breast and suck. This is what helps to establish your milk supply and signals your body to make milk. IF you are satisfying your baby's innate need to suck with a pacifier instead of your breast, you are depriving him or her of vital colostrum and your body of stimulation needed to produce milk.

Brand newborns, less than a few days old, will generally be happy to suck on a pacifier even when they want and need food. If their sucking needs are being satisfied with a pacifier, they may lose more weight than they should, and as a result may be more difficult to rouse to nurse and my develop jaundice which just makes things worse.

I obviously don't have a problem with pacifiers as I pretty much forced both of my babies to take one (neither was thrilled with them in the beginning) but I really would wait until your milk is at least in and your baby isn't having meconium poops anymore. This is not to say that I'm judging anyone who has done so, but it's really not something I'd personally be comfortable doing before that time.,

[EastSnyder]

What is OALD or OS? I also don't know the abbreviations DD and DS? Thanks for the great advice everyone!

[TayNRobbiesMom]

We use a NUK paci (since birth b/c DS was HIGH needs and still is) and havent had nipple confusion, though i know some who have...

[pumpkinhead7]

OALD is Over Active Letdown, which means your milk comes out too fast when it lets down. OS is Over Supply or too much milk. The two usually go hand in hand

[destiny]

DS is Dear Son
DD is Dear Daughter
OALD is Overactive letdown
OS is oversupply

my firstborn is now 4 mo. she doesn't take a pacifier now, but in the past few months, have come in handy a few times, when at one point, she was taking it. Sometimes she was hungry but wouldn't eat and other times she seemed to be teething, when I offered. She seemed to start teething early, but I've had trouble telling if she's hungry, but won't eat, or if she's teething or just wants to suck, but not have milk?...confusing and ambiguous.

Some bfeeding moms want to use LAM method of family planning, and pacifiers aren't recommended for that because babies need to get all sucking needs met at the breast if bfeeding is to be successful for family planning... BTW, LAM is Lactation Amenhorea (spelling?) Method

[colleen0419]

OALD.....over active let down
OS......over supply (not positive on that one)
DD darling daughter
DS darling son

I agree with pumpkinhead, I would avoid the pacifier the first few weeks unless you are SURE the baby isn't hungry and just wants to suck. Everytime DD cried those first few days I put her to the breast. DD takes a pacifier now, but she doesn't NEED it, she sometimes sucks her fingers. Usually if she is tired or cranky she'll take it, we use a nuk pacifier.
Hope that helps!