Can I give my breastfed newborn a pacifier at night?

Can I Give My Breastfed Newborn a Pacifier at Night?
The decision to give a breastfed newborn a pacifier at night is one that many parents grapple with, often weighing the benefits against potential concerns. While pacifiers can be a soothing tool for infants, their introduction requires careful consideration, especially for breastfeeding mothers.
Timing is Key
Experts generally recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier. This period typically spans the first three to four weeks of life. During this time, the baby is learning to latch and feed effectively, and introducing a pacifier too early could interfere with this process. Once breastfeeding is established, many parents find that offering a pacifier can be beneficial.
Benefits of Pacifiers at Night
Using a pacifier at night can provide several advantages. For one, sucking on a pacifier can help soothe a fussy baby, making it easier for them to fall asleep. Additionally, research suggests that pacifiers may reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when used during sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports this practice, recommending that infants be given a pacifier during naps and bedtime.
Potential Concerns
Despite the benefits, some parents worry about the implications of pacifier use on breastfeeding. However, studies indicate that when introduced correctly, pacifiers do not interfere with breastfeeding. It’s crucial to ensure that the baby is fed on demand before offering a pacifier, particularly during the early weeks when they may be cluster feeding to increase milk supply.
Moreover, there are no significant long-term dental issues associated with pacifier use in infancy, provided that the pacifier is used appropriately.
Conclusion
In summary, giving your breastfed newborn a pacifier at night can be a safe and effective way to help them soothe and sleep better, especially after the initial weeks of breastfeeding. As with any parenting decision, it’s essential to consider your baby’s specific needs and consult with a pediatrician if you have concerns. Ultimately, the choice to use a pacifier should align with your family’s comfort and your baby’s well-being.

Why shouldn’t you use a pacifier when breastfeeding?

For babies who are new to breastfeeding, the differences between the breast and a pacifier can lead to frustration when nursing. In some cases, it might cause breast refusal—and not to mention that a poor latch and less-than-ideal sucking technique can also be painful for the breastfeeding parent.

Does baby pacifying on breasts increase milk supply?

Removing even small amounts of milk from soft breasts increases milk production. Babies nurse for comfort as well as for food. Those little ‘snack’ comfort feeds can really increase your milk production and their calorie intake. Expect your baby to want to breastfeed very often from time to time.

Should I let my breastfed baby use me as a pacifier?

Unless it is bothering you, comfort feeding or “using mom as a pacifier” isn’t harmful. New trends in sleep training are suggesting moms not nurse babies to sleep or for comfort, or warn it will become an unbreakable habit.

What kind of pacifier is best for breastfed babies?

The round nipple is the one health professionals (5) (in Denmark) recommend when breastfeeding your baby. This is because the round nipple makes the baby roll its tongue around the pacifier just as it does during breastfeeding.

Will baby spit out a pacifier when sleeping?

What helps keep the pacifier in? Since a baby’s mouth muscles relax when they fall into a deep sleep, they can’t hold onto their pacifiers, and they’ll often fall out of the baby’s mouth. The sucking reflex keeps the paci in until they are asleep.

When to stop swaddling?

‌You should stop swaddling your baby when they start to roll over. That’s typically between 2 and 4 months. During this time, your baby might be able to roll onto their tummy but not be able to roll back over. This can raise their risk of SIDS.

Can I use pacifier at night while breastfeeding?

There is some evidence that pacifiers may have a beneficial effect in preventing SIDS including in breastfed infants (Hauck 2005) and many practitioners and hospitals recommend their use during sleep time.

How does a pacifier reduce SIDS?

A theory that the decrease in SIDS among non‐nutritive sucking infants is due to its effect in decreasing the rate of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease has been proposed (Mitchell 1993; Mitchell 2009); the mechanism being that use of pacifiers allows for non‐nutritive sucking during sleep, which potentially helps acid …

How long should you wait to give a breastfed baby a pacifier?

4 to 6 weeks
For babies that are breastfeeding only, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to give your baby a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established. This can take up to 4 to 6 weeks. It is normal for babies to need to suck, especially in their first weeks.’);})();(function(){window.jsl.dh(‘2FJnZ9WKH4a94-EP0KbZ4Qk__32′,’

Is it OK to let newborn sleep with pacifier?

Is it safe for my newborn to sleep with a pacifier? Yes! It is totally safe to let your baby sleep with a pacifier, that is if you are following the safety guidelines recommended by the American Association of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP does not recommend anything besides a pacifier in the crib with your newborn.