Is it okay to give my breastfed 2 month old a pacifier?

Question

I have spent at least 4 days in a row this week going 8-10 hours on the rocking chair. Sometimes she gets fussy and no gas drops help. She doesn't want to nurse at these times, I have tried it and just end up frustrated and feeling kind of rejected which just makes it all so much worse.

So this weekend we started letting the grandparents babysit and allowed them to use the pacifier if she was done eating and still fussy. It works like a charm! So we used it in the car just to get home without crying. Worked then too! So I gave in today and used it when she refused to nurse. It helped her get to sleep. Thank goodness, something works!

I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. Any other breastfeeding mothers have a good (or bad) experience with pacifiers?

Answer 1

It is definitely ok to give the pacifier. Some babies just need to suck extra and it helps to comfort them. I used the pacifier with my baby and it helped her a lot. If I nursed every time she cried, she would just get gassy and cry. She wasn't always hungry.

I never used gas drops so I can't comment on those.

My son sucks on his fingers and wouldn't take a pacifier. Each child has his own likes and dislikes. Congrats on your new little one. Hang in there,, you are doing fine.

I nursed mine until they were a year old and they were fine with the pacifier and nursing.

Answer 2

I breastfed my daughter and gave her a pacifier aswell, she needed the extra sucking time. My only suggestion would be to not stick it in her mouth all the time, i made this mistake and it has taken me ages to get it from my daughter,she is 16 months old now and i only allow her to have it a bed time.

Answer 3

My #1 concern with pacifiers is they can breed thrush/yeast.  So if you use them, please boil them once a day.  They are also linked to ear infections and premature weaning

Also keep an eye on her to make sure she is still getting enough to eat, and as latching well.  In fact I would very much recommend a check-in with a lactation consultant; cluster feeding is normal but not to the extent you are describing.  It could be she has a small amount of "nipple confusion" or a slightly off latch for any number of reasons.

In the end though its better to have a happy mom and baby, then a resentful mom or a mom that weans over it.

What should I know about giving my breastfed baby a pacifier?

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/concern...

Answer 4

i do give my children pacifier i stop though a little bit after 2 years " keep in mind is that as good and helpful as it is it's so hard to take it away from your child .. new types of pacifiers are ok they don't hurt teath but keep in mind that yu should change it every month .

Answer 5

It is absolutely alright!! As the babies mom you know exactly what is right for her and if the pacifier is working by all meens use it!! :)...Most babies will give up the pacifier use by 3 years o age and if given up by then it will not cause any dental anormalities as long as you arent dipping it in sugar water or honey...I have a two month old son and when he gets really gassy I give him his pacifier (he is also breastfeed)...He doesnt want it all the time but whenever it helps and comforts him I give it to him...Some babies find sucking soothing!!

Answer 6

yes yy not>?? lol

Answer 7

Both my breastfed daughters have used pacifiers.  They have a strong sucking need, and neither of them wanted to pacify on the breast.  They became frustrated because they were getting milk when they didn't want it.  Also, my oldest had problems with tummy aches and spitting up a lot, and the pacifier seemed to help soothe and/or distract her from it.  At 10 months old, her tummy got better, and she decided she no longer wanted the pacifier.  Just dropped it cold turkey one day!  Our 2nd daughter is only 5 months old now, and still uses her pacifier.  She doesn't want it all the time, but it DOES help when she wants to suck but doesn't want the breast.

I dont feel like pacifiers are bad at all when your baby has sucking needs beyond what you can meet with nursing.  And its certainly better than them sucking their thumbs!  You can take a pacifier away if it goes on too long, but thumbs are attached!

Answer 8

As I'm concerned pacifiers are gifts from God with some babies. The need to suck is really strong in some and if it works, use it!

Just make sure to take it away 100% at 1 year, no longer. After that its a habit that's really hard to break.