pacifier??

[nacha]

Okay, been Bfing for 2 weeks now exclusively. Whoppee!! Hard time getting started, but I was determined to do it. BUT, now I have some nights where I want to stop. At first I thought that at night I was not producing enough milk, because my little one would be very fussy at night, and would nurse for what seem like for hours and every thirty minutes. But, then I figured out that my little angel uses me for a paci on those nights. Some nights,(well every night that I put him to bed) he will not go to sleep unless I let him nurse, for what seems like ALL night. He wants to go to sleep while nursing, and when I stop him, and put him down he wakes back up. Nevertheless after these long frequent feedings my nipples are terribly sore, and then the feeling of not having enough milk sets in (which I know my body is constantly producing milk, but you just feel that way when you see him screaming crying) Anyhow, I was wondering when can I introduce him to a pacifier and if (rather WHEN) I do what brand/type is the best, or is there such a thing as a best brand or type of pacifier. I would also like to hear any pros/cons for giving him a pacifier and if there are other suggestions besides the paci.

BTW, I love these forums and all but I get so confused on the abbreviations some time, is there a legend somewhere, I like to use the abbreviations too so I can fit in with all you other breast feeding moms. For example what is dh,dd and so on..:confused:

[JennMomof3]

Ive been nursing for 2 months, and i gave him a pacifier when we were in the hospital. No milk comes out of it, so its not as confusing to them as the bottle. He nurses at night and plop in the paci if hes still stirring and he goes right to sleep.

[Tufftitty]

Welcome and congrats on your success thus far! The first few weeks are the hardest. Things usually smooth out a lot around the six week mark.

The recommendations I've seen regarding pacifiers is to wait until BF is well established, around 4-6 weeks post-partum. This is to avoid nipple confusion. I'm not aware that there is a best one. I think it's very baby dependent.

For what it's worth, in the early days I would BF until DS (darling son) fell asleep. I'd then wait about 10 more minutes, then put him down to sleep. That extra 10 minutes seemed to be key to him staying asleep once repositioned in the crib. I also did breast compressions (http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html), especially in the evening in an attempt to get more milk into him. When they are this young, their tummies are very tiny, and they digest breast milk so quickly that they really are hungry all the time. I think that's why it gets easier when the get a little bigger, and can hold a little more milk.

I know it's hard & exhausting, but just hang in there. In a few months you'll look back, see what a very short period of time you suffered, and realize how happy you are that you stuck with it.

Be prepared any day for some marathon feeding sessions, as a growth spurt tends to occur around the 3 week mark. He'll probably want to feed constantly for a day or few.

Abbreviations (http://www.breastfeeding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406)

[nacha]

Welcome and congrats on your success thus far! The first few weeks are the hardest. Things usually smooth out a lot around the six week mark.

The recommendations I've seen regarding pacifiers is to wait until BF is well established, around 4-6 weeks post-partum. This is to avoid nipple confusion. I'm not aware that there is a best one. I think it's very baby dependent.

For what it's worth, in the early days I would BF until DS (darling son) fell asleep. I'd then wait about 10 more minutes, then put him down to sleep. That extra 10 minutes seemed to be key to him staying asleep once repositioned in the crib. I also did breast compressions (http://www.kellymom.com/newman/15breast_compression.html), especially in the evening in an attempt to get more milk into him. When they are this young, their tummies are very tiny, and they digest breast milk so quickly that they really are hungry all the time. I think that's why it gets easier when the get a little bigger, and can hold a little more milk.

I know it's hard & exhausting, but just hang in there. In a few months you'll look back, see what a very short period of time you suffered, and realize how happy you are that you stuck with it.

Be prepared any day for some marathon feeding sessions, as a growth spurt tends to occur around the 3 week mark. He'll probably want to feed constantly for a day or few.

Abbreviations (http://www.breastfeeding.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406)


THank you. Thank you for the encouragement also. It is helpful to hear from someone with experience giving you hope. Oh, DS (darling son) cool. Well, you mentioned 4-6 weeks post partum is when you would suggest the paci. Well, he is 4 weeks now. For about 5 days I had to supplement and the other 6 days or so I gave him expressed bmilk. So, should I wait until he has been bfing for 4-6 weeks or till he is 4-6 weeks old?