Best pacifier for the breastfed baby

Описание: Pacifiers are a tool, like any other tool in the parenting bag of tricks. While a pacifier can be introduced at any age, it’s generally recommended to wait until breastfeeding is well established, usually around 3-4 weeks. It can be introduced earlier for premature babies or those with an uncoordinated suck as a therapeutic exercise to help them practice sucking more efficiently.

Babies are born with a tongue-thrust reflex that helps protect them from choking or aspirating on food and other foreign objects. It also helps them to latch onto the breast. This reflex is seen when the tongue is touched or depressed in any way and is the reason why baby may push the pacifier out of their mouth when you’re trying to offer it. By offering a little cheek support or gently holding the pacifier from behind, you can give baby the opportunity to coordinate their tongue muscles to latch on to the pacifier and generate a vacuum in the mouth to keep it in. It can take some practice and time for baby to learn this skill. Stop if baby gags or shows any signs of stress.

There is no developmental age when a baby needs to take a pacifier. Some will take one and some won’t. And either is ok.

Pacifiers are a tool in the parenting bag of tricks. While a pacifier can be introduced at any age, it’s generally recommended to wait until breastfeeding is going well, usually around 3-4 weeks. It can be introduced earlier for premature babies or those with an uncoordinated suck as a therapeutic exercise to help them practice sucking more efficiently.

Pacifiers are great when:
Baby is crying and you can’t physically get to the baby, like in the car or when your toddler needs their butt wiped
You’ve finished breastfeeding and baby wants to suck to transition to sleep
Baby has reflux. Sucking without swallowing more milk can help baby rest and digest after feeding
When baby had been cluster feeding, witching hour freaking out, inconsolable and you’re about lose your mind and you just need a break

Pacifiers are not great when:
It “isn’t time yet to feed”. Don’t watch the clock. Feed the baby. Scheduling feeds for young babies or trying to stretch them to feed only at certain times can sabotage breastfeeding and for some lead to poor weight gain
Over night when trying to get a young baby back to sleep without feeding. Night feedings are VERY important to maintain milk supply and account for at least 20% of baby’s caloric intake

Remember:
Using a pacifier won’t sabotage breastfeeding when used wisely
Pacifiers are a soothing tool that should be removed from baby’s mouth once they are soothed. We want baby’s tongue resting on the roof of their mouth for optimal facial development and oral motor skill
A round pacifier like the Soothie, Dr Browns, LeeLee and Me, or Ninni Co promote the best tongue posture. Other shapes can work ok, but don’t fall for the marketing of pacifier shapes
AAP recommends to start pacifier weaning at 6 months
There is no developmental age when a baby needs to take a pacifier. Some will take one and some won’t. The breast is the original pacifier. Pacifiers were designed after your body and not the other way around

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