Why shouldnt you use a pacifier when breastfeeding?

The Debate Over Pacifiers and Breastfeeding
The use of pacifiers among breastfeeding infants has sparked considerable debate among healthcare professionals and new parents alike. While pacifiers can provide comfort and soothe babies, there are compelling reasons to approach their use with caution, particularly in the early stages of breastfeeding.
Nipple Confusion: A Real Concern
One of the primary concerns regarding pacifier use is the phenomenon known as nipple confusion. This occurs when a baby becomes accustomed to the different sucking technique required for a pacifier or bottle, which can lead to difficulties in latching onto the breast effectively. Research indicates that early exposure to pacifiers may interfere with the infant’s ability to suckle properly at the breast, potentially resulting in an incorrect latch and ineffective feeding. This can be particularly problematic for breastfeeding mothers who are trying to establish a strong feeding routine in the initial weeks after birth.
Impact on Milk Supply
Another significant issue is the potential impact on a mother’s milk supply. When a baby is given a pacifier, they may spend less time at the breast, which can lead to decreased stimulation of the breast. This stimulation is crucial for maintaining milk production. If a baby is not breastfeeding frequently enough, it can result in lower milk supply, which may necessitate supplementary feeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that artificial teats or pacifiers should not be given to breastfeeding infants to help ensure successful breastfeeding practices.
Emotional and Behavioral Considerations
Beyond the physical implications, there are emotional and behavioral aspects to consider. Some mothers report feeling guilty or anxious about using pacifiers, fearing that they might be undermining their breastfeeding efforts. This emotional burden can add stress to the already challenging experience of new motherhood. Additionally, reliance on pacifiers can sometimes lead to a preference for the pacifier over breastfeeding, which can complicate the breastfeeding relationship.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach
While pacifiers can offer temporary relief and comfort for infants, their use during the early stages of breastfeeding should be approached with caution. The potential for nipple confusion, the risk of reduced milk supply, and the emotional implications for mothers are all critical factors to consider. Ultimately, each family’s situation is unique, and decisions about pacifier use should be made with careful consideration and, ideally, guidance from healthcare professionals.

What type of pacifier is best for a breastfed baby?

Pacifiers that support breastfeeding
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.

Can pacifier cause nursing strike?

The results showed that playfulness and distraction (50%), recent vaccinations (48.6%), and the use of pacifiers (37.1%) were the most common infant-related factors contributing to the nursing strike.

Can I use a pacifier to stop breastfeeding?

Although few mothers openly admitted that pacifiers might shorten breastfeeding, a considerable group effectively used pacifiers to get their infants off the breast or to increase the interval between feedings.

Why no pacifier for first month?

Pacifier use might disrupt breast-feeding.
If you’re breast-feeding, you might wait to offer a pacifier until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and you’ve settled into a nursing routine.

Why newborns should not use pacifiers?

Pacifiers can harm the growth and development of the mouth and teeth. Pacifiers can result in swallowing extra air during feedings which can cause painful gas and cause or aggravate colic.

Is it okay to give a baby a pacifier when breastfeeding?

The AAP now recommends that pacifier use be implemented after breastfeeding is established. Based on the evidence, we think mothers who are motivated to breastfeed their infants should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding pacifier use, and pacifier use should not be discouraged.

Which is an acceptable time to introduce a pacifier to a breastfeeding infant?

If you choose to offer your newborn a pacifier, you can give it to them any time if they’re bottle-fed. But if you’re planning to breastfeed, it’s best to wait until they’re 3 to 4 weeks old to allow breastfeeding to become established first.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

The third crisis occurs after three months, at this stage the baby has much greater suction strength and will take faster feedings as he is able to empty the breasts with greater speed, that is to say, take more in less time, this period coincides with the development of their hearing and vision, that makes everything …

Why does a pacifier prevent SIDS?

A pacifier also keeps the tongue forward in the mouth, so it can’t block the airway.

How to get baby to latch deeper?

With your baby’s head tilted back and chin up, lift him or her to touch your nipple. The nipple should rest just above the baby’s upper lip. Wait for your baby to open very wide, then “scoop” the breast by placing the lower jaw on first. Now tip your baby’s head forward and place the upper jaw well behind your nipple.