Introducing a Pacifier
Hey there, mama! Today I wanted to talk about pacifiers- from why some moms choose to use them to when and how to introduce them. Pacifiers have become such a controversial topic in the breastfeeding community, and I disagree with the negative rap they’re getting- so let’s get into it!
It can be so confusing for parents when you have contradictory information and opinions coming from multiple places. Pacifiers didn’t work for your MIL’s babies, but your sister swears by them? So-and-so read an article about how bad pacifiers are for breastfed babies? You saw an article about the correlation between pacifiers and preventing SIDS? Nipple confusion?! It is confusing. So what do you do? There really is no straightforward, “right” answer I can give you. Everyone’s situation is different, and so is every baby, but hopefully this can clear up some of the confusion.
THE research
First, let’s look at some of the research. There is research on waiting about 4-5 weeks before introducing a pacifier to your breastfed baby to ensure your milk supply is established. The reason for this is that pacifiers can cover up those early hunger cues your baby is giving you. You want to be sure you’re catching those cues- the tongue and lip smacking, rooting, looking around for mom and dad- instead of thinking they’re just happily sucking on their pacifier. I know I’ve done that before. So that’s why some research recommends waiting until your baby is about a month old. That way the breastfeeding relationship is well established and you have a good milk supply. Something you can do to prevent missing those hunger cues is if it’s been 2-3 hours since the last feeding, and baby starts getting fussy you would offer a feeding and then give the pacifier a try. Just making sure a feeding is what you offer first, rather than going straight to the pacifier for comfort.
More commonly discussed research includes the reduction of SIDS in babies who use pacifiers. Also, the big question I get asked about is about nipple confusion. My hot take on it is, I don’t necessarily believe in it. If you are struggling with breastfeeding, whether it be baby having weight gain issues, getting a good latch, establishing a breastfeeding relationship, or establishing your supply, I would avoid the pacifier. Just because we don’t want to introduce another thing to confuse baby when they’re already having to work hard on learning to breastfeed or getting in all of those proper feedings. Especially since using a pacifier can mask those early hunger cues. That’s where we can see weight gain issues in baby if we’re giving them the pacifier too much, instead of offering feedings. With the actual latching, we want baby to just continuously be going to the breasts, so they get used to that, rather than a pacifier. But if all of those things are well established, then I’d give the green light on introducing a pacifier. Here’s a link to an article that shows there was not a correlation between early initiation of pacifiers and a decrease in prevalence or duration of breastfeeding in babies less than four months old.
when to INTRODUCE A PACIFIER
A few of you have asked in the past why I chose to try to initiate a pacifier with Teddy. I personally have many reasons why I choose to do this with my babies and I think if it’s not right for you then that’s absolutely fine. I just feel like there’s a lot of information out there, a lot floating around and I really think whether or not you choose to use a pacifier should be one of the smallest things that we need to think about in parenthood. It shouldn’t be made to be this huge deal.
So first of all it’s been researched to potentially reduce the risk of SIDS. The second thing is he had pretty bad reflux and non-nutritive sucking has been proven to increase parastasis and move things through the gut more effectively. So, if I can do something small like offer a pacifier to prevent the amount of spit up we’re dealing with or to decrease the amount of reflux episodes we have where he’s struggling and in pain, I’m absolutely going to do it to help my child. The other thing is I have three other kids and sometimes I need a minute and he needs a minute and I’ll offer him a pacifier while I make my other kids lunch so that he’s happy and content and if he’s done with it once I am able to be freed up a little but then so be it. But before introducing the pacifier, I made sure that we’ve got our latch down and I feel comfortable with the way that Teddy’s nursing and the cues that he’s giving me.
I’m also not one to give my babies a pacifier 24/7, that’s just not what I do. I usually use it as a tool, if I’m needing to attend to my other kids and baby’s wanting to be soothed. Give it to them for a little bit, attend to my other kids, come back, and then hang out with the baby. So, do what works for you. Sometimes I need it more than others. You’re not a failure. Because I felt that with my first when he would not take one and I prayed and I tried everything and he would not take one, and then both my girls took one. But, you are not doing something wrong if your baby’s nursing effectively, they're gaining weight, they have great output, and you’re wanting to implement a pacifier, it’s not the end of the world. If you start seeing problems arise, the first thing I would do is take it away and start working on getting back to skin to skin and latching.
I also wanted to say NICU babies are a little bit different because many of them are being fed through a tube and it is a great way for them to practice sucking and correlate that with digestion and their belly getting full, so it is typically recommended for NICU babies to be introduced to a pacifier.
Some of my favorite pacifiers to try are Ecopacifiers, Bibs, Ryan & Rose PATs, and MAM Air Pacifiers. Looking for more baby gear? You can shop my full baby registry guide here!
how to INTRODUCE A PACIFIER
Okay so you’ve decided to try giving your baby a pacifier, but don’t know where to begin?! Let’s take it step-by-step.
The first step is to introduce the pacifier upwards into their mouth so that it hits the roof of their mouth, rather than downward on their tongue. This is because the roof of baby’s mouth is where the soft and hard palettes meet, when touched causes baby to initiate the sucking reflex, while inserting the pacifier toward the tongue can cause tongue thrusting and guarding. Next, you want to brush baby’s lips gently with the pacifier. This initiates willing mouth opening. We never want to force the pacifier into baby’s mouth. Once they open their mouth, insert the pacifier pointed upward and hold gentle pressure in that upward position. It may take a couple seconds for baby to get used to it and decide to take the paci. If baby is content and still deciding, I’ll give some gentle rhythmic taps on the pacifier to encourage. At this point, baby will likely make it known whether or not they’re going to take it. You can see this in action by watching this reel.
Anyone who has walked down the baby aisle of the store knows there’s sooo many pacifier options out there. Which can be helpful since every baby is different, but also overwhelming because there’s so many options to try. My first baby was not interested in taking a pacifier and that was totally okay, while both my girls loved them! When Teddy was a newborn, I went through a lot of trial and error. After trying seemingly all of them, we landed on one I was sent in a PR package from Tommee Tippee and that’s the only one he would even consider taking, and it was still hit and miss from there. Then shortly after I thought I had it figured out, he decided to not take the Tommee TIppee and switched to liking the Frig, thankfully that ended up working out for Teddy! All babies are different and that’s okay! No one should make anyone feel guilty for what brand pacifier works for their baby versus doesn't work for someone else’s baby. & No parent should have to justify why they choose to use a pacifier or why they choose not to use a pacifier. That’s your decision, and you’ll make the best decision for you and your baby! You’ve got this!
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