i feel like i'm cheating

[red and lulu]

night before last, i gave my dd a pacifier. she's been cluster feeding in the evenings starting around 5, and will stay latched on for up to 3 hours at a clip (with maybe 10-15 min. off in between), and my boobs hurt and my body hurts from staying frozen in one position for hours on end, night after night after night.

i've been pretty averse to the pacifier, but she's never seemed to like it either. she's nursed on demand, and with me 24/7. i only ever offered it to her a couple times in the car in the beginning when she would freak out, but she wanted nothing to do with it so i stopped offering it... but friday night she took right to it and really seems to like it and i feel like a hypocrite. i still nursed her to sleep... and then every hour through the night... and she seems perfectly content... but i feel guilty. and i wouldn't feel guilty if i really felt i was doing the right thing, right?

[dogretro]

*shrug* My daughter was ebf and took a pacifier from day one. She still LOVES her binkie! Babies need to suck & I do not like the feel of comfort nursing, so I never had a problem w/ the binkie. A pacifier is just another tool in the parenting toolbox. If your baby is nursing well, I would NOT worry about it!

[midnightmommy]

I say that if she is ok with a pacifier, and it gives you a break so you can keep breastfeeding. Then it has done it's job.

[Baby_Cakes]

I agree, if your baby is still nursing well and you aren't using it instead of feeding her, you are using it correctly and it's fine! Stop feeling guilty!

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by Baby_Cakes

I agree, if your baby is still nursing well and you aren't using it instead of feeding her, you are using it correctly and it's fine! Stop feeling guilty!

[tykys]

If it's working for you and the LO and it isn't interfering with BFing, then there is no reason to feel guilty! I personally think there is nothing wrong with a pacifier, both my kids have used/use them!

[bajamergrrl]

I've come to realize that the pacifier is a tool like anything else. My DS will take a pacifier from time to time. It's especially a lifesaver when he really wants to suck and my nipples can't take it anymore. As long as it isn't interfering with breastfeeding then go for it.

[jeliphish]

eh...who cares. DD1 needed to suck all...the...time, and the paci was a lifesaver. DD2 can take it or leave it, and although she is EBF, she only, only, only nurses for sustenance- she most definitely doesn't ever comfort nurse or nurse to sleep.
I think pacifiers are wonderful tools for the LO's who have that intense need to suck... why on earth would you feel guilty if she's still nursing successfully?

[Kelly1101]

At her age, nipple confusion isn't a problem, and a paci shouldn't mess up breastfeeding. Although, it COULD cause your period to come back if it hasn't already, so if you start using the paci, and you don't want another baby right away, make sure you're using some kind of birth control.

Some babies just need to suck all the time, not just because they're hungry. Don't feel bad or guilty.

[Phridae]

I agree with tons of the PP. Some babies just have an intense urge to suck all the time.
We used a pacifier with DS, but about 8 weeks ago he rejected it and doesnt want anything to do with it anymore (a blessing I'm sure, but I do miss the soothing effect it had in the car...)
And like PP also said, as long as you're not using it to delay feeding. Stop feeling guilty!