Questions & Answers

With my dd I avoided them until she was around a month or more older just in case it caused any nipple confusion. But then it became very helpful to sooth her esspecially during car rides, etc. She breast fed until she was 14 months. Every baby is different. I think you can't really "plan" for these things, just do what feels right when in you're in that moment. :-) Best of luck!

I hated pacifiers and never intended on giving one when i was pregnant. My LB was breastfed and I was told that I shouldn't give any bottles or pacifiers for the first 4 weeks to avoid nipple confusion. Anyway, when he was born breastfeeding was fine but, he would be sucking for literally 1-3hrs and because I couldn't see he was having enough, I'd allow him to do it, every hour or so. Breastfed babies need feeding alot more than bottle because breastmilk is digested quicker. Anyway after speaking to my midwife she explained that he was sucking for comfort and not for food and suggested I use a dummy for relief. Many hours of feeding took up my whole day and left me very sore. He used a dummy until he was a toddler and weaning him off was fine, it just has to be done at the right time. The pacifier debate is just another example of waiting to see what works for you and your baby, things can often change when your tired and exhausted and want to teach your baby to self soothe occasionall

www.babyzone.com has a article of the pros and cons of using a pacifier if you want to read it.