I'm really against my newborn using a pacifier, is it okay?

Question

I'm due with my first baby in October, I've always been against wanting my children to use a pacifier. I've seen kids that are going in to PreK using them. I don't want to get my get 'hooked'. Certain people in my family say that I'm crazy that the babies need one, that they have a 'sucking sensation', but I've never heard such a thing. I'm also not going to breast feed, which I've heard if you're not going to use a pacifier at least breast feed. Shouldn't it be my decision?

Answer 1

Babies love to suck. The kids in PreK with pacifier is due to bad parenting. It is easy to get rid of a pacifier, much easier than breaking a baby of a bottle or potty training. I don't see the harm in offering one but if YOU don't want your baby to have one, don't give your baby one. Just provide other things for your baby to suck on.

Answer 2

Well what will you do if babies cry cry and cry would you want do that? and they cry cause want something to suck on..Trust me, Pacifier are amazing because they help babies to calm, and avoid SIDS... if you are afraid that kids are addict pacifier you can handle them you can said you are big baby now you don't need those anymore, that's easy not that hard.  

Answer 3

It is up to you. Everything that you place in your nursery is up to you. Don't let anyone bully you into anything. I didn't even own a pacifier for my last born. She didn't miss it. If you don't start them, you don't have to take them away.

Good Luck! :)

Answer 4

is perfectly fine i have 3 kids and neither of them used pacifiers,its better without them some pacifier mess up the teeths in the future...once you give your baby there first pacifier they will get use to it ,then the baby will start crying just to have that one pacifier stuck in his/her mouth..i never ever gave any of my kids pacifier and they turned out great now i am having my 4th and i am planning of doing the same...its your choice..good luck

Answer 5

it is your decision and im not to fond of the use of pacifiers however it is true that babies do find the sucking comforting, so i only plan on giving my bab a pacifier in the first few months and about the breast feeding in my opinion i think every mother should try to breast feed their child.

Answer 6

It should be you decision.  Both of my babies used pacifiars. The reason being, that it reduces the risk of SIDS.  But you do what you want, it is your child...don't let anybody tell you what to do.

Answer 7

they need something to suck on it help their gums i think u really need one

Answer 8

It is your decision...it's your baby.  Babies sometimes want to suck...it's a soothing thing (really look it up if u haven't heard).  I gave my son one and all of a sudden around 7/8 months later, he just stopped taking it.  I didn't have to take it away, he just didn't want it anymore.

Answer 9

My oldest refused her pacifier.  Would not take it!  However, she ended up sucking her thumb.  It is much harder to take a thumb away than it is a pacifier.  You do what is right for you and your baby.  Just make sure that when you go to deliver your baby, you tell the nurses you do NOT want baby to have one.  They usually pop one in their mouths right away.

Answer 10

its ur decision.. i said my son was not going to have one but i changed my mind when he was born and i cut it off when he was 2.

Answer 11

Of course it would be better if you did breastfeed but you are right it's your decision. I definitely agree with you on the pacifier thing. I hate them. However, they do have a desire to suck A LOT and it's good for them so I wouldn't deprive the baby of that. I breastfed on demand so it was easy for me to find an alternative to a pacifier. I'm not sure what you could give a NB thats not breastfed to suck on other than a pacifier. I guess there's always the option of just not letting him/her suck on anything but the bottle nipple at feedings. You'll probably have an extremely fussy baby though. I recommend breastfeeding. Good luck.

Answer 12

Neither of my girls used a pacifier, but both just naturally sucked their thumbs instead.  They need to suck something to soothe themselves, and it doesn't matter what it is, they'll find something.  I didn't breast feed either (for medical reasons), and I don't know whether that argument makes any difference.  I couldn't stand the thought of a pacifier being dropped on the floor and put back in the mouth dirty, or being lost and needed to soothe the child.  At least thumbs are always there, and I washed my kids hands regularly.  Of course it's your decision whatever you do, it's your baby.  Just remember no matter what you do, someone somewhere will disapprove and tell you.  Especially if it's your mother, mother-in-law, or someone who's never had children!  Just do what feels right to you, and if you change your mind later on, no big deal.

Answer 13

It is absolutely your decision.  I don't really like pacifiers either...however, both of my children NEEDED to suck.  Some babies are born with a stronger need to suck.  So what I did was I would only use the pacifier if my child was showing signs of the need to suck.  I would only use it during the day, never to go to bed with.  By 7-8 months old my daughter didn't need it anymore at all.  My son is 4 months old and although he sometimes still uses it during the day, he seems to not be wanting it more and more.  If you do decide to use one then my suggestion is to only use it when totally needed, if your baby isn't soothed by anything else.  As for the breast feeding, that is totally your choice too.  True, it is best for the baby and there are benefits for you, but it is totally your choice.  Don't let anyone shame you into doing something you don't want to do.  Good luck.