For a breastfeeding baby, what nipple shape is best if I plan to give her a pacifier time to time?

Question

There seem to be so many shapes, I don't know what is best orthodontically and to limit nipple confusion. She is 3 weeks old.

Answer 1

The Soothie pacifier is the one lactation consultants recommend (sold at Target and BabiesRus). It's blue and silicone all over. It's more shaped like a nipple. The orthodontic ones are not recommended for breastfeeding.

Answer 2

Your own nipple is the only one that is safe orthodontically, and for ears as well.  The claims of pacifier companies are not proven by independent review.  A clean adult finger is a reasonable subsitute for mom's nipple, at least it won't breed thrush.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t023100...

What do you do when the human pacifier--mom--wears out or is not available?

We suggest offering the baby a clean adult finger to suck on if mother's nipples are sore or her patience is wearing thin. Or try alternative methods of comforting your baby--walking, wearing baby in a sling or front pack, patting her back or skin-to-skin contact with dad.

Finally, realize that there's nothing wrong with being a human pacifier. You want your baby to learn to seek comfort from people, not plastic. Your baby's need to suck for comfort will diminish with time. Meanwhile, enjoy cuddling with your baby at your breast.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t10460...

CHOOSING AND USING A SAFE PACIFIER

DR. BILL'S BINKY ADVICE

In the early weeks, only the real nipple belongs in a baby's mouth. If you have a baby who really needs a pacifier, then use it, don't abuse it, and quickly try to lose it.

    * Select a one-piece model that will not break into two pieces, allowing baby to choke on the bulb. Also, be sure it is dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

    * Be sure the base of the pacifier has ventilation holes. Avoid large circular shields that may obstruct baby's nasal passages when baby draws in the pacifier during intense sucking.

    * One size doesn't fit all. Choose a smaller, shorter, newborn-sized pacifier for the early months.

    * Pacifiers come in a variety of nipple shapes. Some are symmetrically round, like a bottle nipple. Others are preshaped, supposedly to duplicate the elongated, flattened breast nipple during sucking. Preshaped nipples, however, may not always fit baby's mouth, especially if the pacifier turns during sucking or is inserted upside down. Some pacifier manufacturers claim orthodontic benefits, but these are questionable. Try various shapes and let baby's discerning mouth decide.

    * Avoid attaching the pacifier to a string or ribbon around baby's neck or pinning the pacifier string onto baby's clothing. This is a setup for strangulation. "But it's always falling on the floor," you plead. Answer: Keep one hand on baby and the other hand on the pacifier. (Or pin the pacifier ring directly onto baby's clothing.) Perhaps babies are not meant to be left unattended with anything in their mouths. Good safety and good nurturing go together.

    * Avoid making your own pacifier out of a cotton-stuffed bottle nipple. Baby may suck the cotton through the hole.

    * Resist the temptation to sweeten the offering by dipping the pacifier in honey or syrup. If baby does not yet have teeth, he is too young for honey or syrup. If he has teeth, he is too old for the decay-producing sweets – and probably the pacifier, too. If he has to be enticed to suck by sweetening, he would probably benefit from some other form of comforting – having a change of scenery, going out in the fresh air, playing, cuddling with you, rocking to sleep, and being held more.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plain...

The better option to the pacifier, is her thumb, which is actually my preference. A thumb never gets lost in the mall, it doesn't fall out of the sling onto the disgusting subway platform, and they can never misplace it... not to mention that the dog won't take off with it ether, nor have I ever heard of a thumb being recalled as a choking hazard! The thumb is with them 24 hours a day and easily available. I don't buy into the theory that you can't get the thumb away from them and break the habit like you can with the pacifier (by prematurely disposing of it and manipulating the child into thinking he is ready to give it up before his time.) If the child is still sucking his thumb at 3 or 4 so what? Many children are still breastfeeding until that age because they still need to satisfy the sucking urge. Eventually the child's need to suck will go away, naturally, after it has been satisfied. The child who is still sucking his thumb at 10 years of age is probably doing it to satisfy a need that wasn't met, and forcing them to stop isn't going to satisfy that need... some deeper digging into what is the real cause will be the only remedy for the situation.

Answer 3

try natural flex by gerber or newborn soothie by first years

Answer 4

My baby uses a Soothie and loves it.  She took to breastfeeding like a fish to water and I wasn't planning to use a pacifier.  However, she was stuck in the nursery with pneumonia for 5 days.  Her respiration would deteriorate if she got too fussy and worked up.  With the nurses constantly drawing blood and me not being able to be with her 24 hours a day, they asked if they could give her one to keep her from getting so upset.  I grudgingly agreed, but it didn't affect her feeding.  I had no issue with nipple confusion myself, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen to some babies.

The neonatologist that saw her explained to me that nipple confusion with a pacifier is minimal because babies learn to suck for comfort (using the front of their mouth) and also to suck for food (long sucks using their jaw).  I can see it too.  Sometimes, when she is falling asleep at my breast, she does the fast, front of the mouth sucks that I know is just comforting her.  Again, though, all babies are different.

It's so funny, because I don't give it to her unless she is fussy and I know she is changed and fed and happy.  I will also give it to her when she is just on the verge of falling asleep but needs a little extra help.  But my in laws try to stick it in her mouth every time they see it out of her mouth.  I try to tell them that, if she's awake and content, she doesn't need it and if she's in a dead sleep she definitely doesn't need it, but they don't listen.  She has been totally asleep and been woken up by grandpa trying to stick the pacifier in her mouth for no reason!!

Answer 5

No pacifier is best! She will not need it if she hasn't thus far! Good Job! My daughter wouldn't accept it. It seemed to be an insult for her!