I am the pacifier....

[meg_shannon]

I need some help. I have an almost 6 week old. She refuses to take a pacifier; she will suck on it maybe a couple of times and then spit it out, sometimes with a grimace and sometimes not. I've tried the NUK kind and one other, though cannot remember that type.

She is breastfed, never had any problems with latch so I'm not concerned about nipple confusion, etc.

She LOVES to suck. If we are out for a walk (in Moby or Bjorn) she wants to suck - I give her my finger...resulting in cramped and numb arm. If she's tired she has to nurse to fall asleep. Sometimes she get angry because she wants to suck but not eat, and I can't "turn of the tap" so to say. I've tried having Dad put her to sleep w/rocking, swaddling, shushhing sounds, sucking his finger, etc....but no dice. Eventually she just screams and cries until I finally give in and nurse her (and no she's not hungry, we've only tried the Daddy bedtime when she's just eaten and is already looking calm and sleepy).

Also I think we are developing oversupply/overfeeding issues. I have been engorged more in the mornings. When beginning to feed she sometimes pulls off coughing with a mouth full of milk. And she has started spitting up a lot, like she'll have the hiccups right after feeding and with each hiccup up comes 1 t-1 T of milk (repeat 6 times or so). But she isn't in any pain w/spitting up, and is still producing many pee/poop diapers.

What would you suggest? Any pacifier suggestions? How do I get her to take one? Are there other options for the baby whom loves to suck, but won't take a pacifier?

[paxye]

Do you switch breasts often? It could be the problem if you do...

she could be getting more foremilk (watery milk) and not always satisfying her hunger because she is not getting much of the fattier hind milk. (gets full before getting to it because her stomach is so tiny)... then because she is at the breast more often she is stimulating your breasts to produce more and the cycle continues...

I had that happen when I was first breastfeeding and got the advice that was current at the time and was told to nurse on both breasts each feeding...

If it may be the problem, then block feeding would be a great thing to try. Nurse on the same said for 2 feedings (or more) then switch.

Also, Nursing to sleep is a great way for a baby to fall asleep. Hormones in the milk are there to do exactly that... it is not a bad habit and is such an easy way to get a babe to sleep...

[ShwarmaQueen]

Both my babes have used me as a pacifier so I can't offer any suggestions on how to help there, but I will say that your supply will adjust to what she takes (soon) and the suckling that she does will send your body the signals that she needs milk. It's quite normal for babies to nurse to sleep and for comfort, or just for fun!

[paxye]

Oh and just to add that around 6 weeks there is a growth spurt, so nursing more frequently is 100% normal...

[mom2happy]

I had the same exact situation and one fussy baby!
I finally let her suck on my forefinger turned upside down.
She loves it and it helps her sucking need and my milk supply is almost under control at 4 months.
I tried 7 different pacifier brands and she very rarely will take the mam for a little while. At night though, she only wants my finger.

[4Blessings]

This all sounds completely normal to me at six weeks. All four of mine have been that way. I figured that's what I'm here for.

[carmen358]

My DD's 6 week growth spurt was VERY apparent. She nursed/sucked pretty much around the clock for 3 days. I was exhausted and didn't realize what it was until it was over.

As for the oversupply issues. My DD also used to pop off and cough/sputter during my let down but only on one side. I tried block feeding and also spraying some out during let down then latching her back on. She eventually got better at handling the strong let down and my supply balanced out for her too. It took a couple of weeks or so though.

[Blessed1]

My baby is also breastfed and she sometimes takes the Soothie pacifier. It's the one they gave her at the hospital.
But she is a finger sucker and she just sucks on her fingers to soothe herself. At first I thought she was hungry so I would offer the breast but she would get upset because she was getting a mouthful of milk and she would pull off and start to fuss. I would keep trying and trying but she didn't want my milk. That's when I gave her a pacifier and she fell asleep immediately. She now finds her hand and can keep her hand in her mouth without struggle so she prefers to suck on her hand instead of the paci which she does often.



Also, when we are out for a walk in our moby or Ergo she sucks her hand until she falls asleep. I used to mistake her sucking her hand as a hunger cue but now I know it is her way of saying, "okay, i'm done..I want to sleep now".

[PatioGardener]

mine found his thumb at 3 months. i completely understand how tiring it is.

nak

[onyxravnos]

Originally Posted by paxye

Oh and just to add that around 6 weeks there is a growth spurt, so nursing more frequently is 100% normal...

with ds1 we had a perfect nursing relationship then at about 6/7 weeks he started to nurse ALL THE TIME and it drove me crazy. i was about to give up... it self corrected.

baby is still new give it time for her and your body to figure it out.

[tessamami]

You may want to check in with your Dr.

In addition, try contacting a local LLL leader, who can troubleshoot with you: llli.org

It sounds to me like it could be a growth spurt, and maybe you have a quick, big letdown of milk, too. Try nursing lying down or with baby sitting up and facing your breast. Upright nursing can help, sometimes.

You say that you have been engorged more in the mornings - engorged isn't fullness. Engorged is when you have trouble gettting the milk out. If when beginning to feed she sometimes pulls off coughing with a mouth full of milk, this can be a sign of a big, quick letdown.

If she truly cannot keep up with it, you can pull her off, first inserting your finger in her mouth to break the suction, before you pull her off and catch some of the milk with a burp cloth. Then finish nursing her. But only do this if your baby has more than a little cough or sputter.

Spitting up right after a feeding can be normal. When her stomach has filled up, then a little milk will come up. Check wit your clinician / Dr. if you want to rule out any problems.

You say she doesn't seem to be in pain - are you concerned? What does your gut say? As for pacifiers - they can sometimes be a sign of a problem. Yes, some babies need to suck a lot, even after they are fed and satisfied. You may notice that your baby can change her suck if she wants to slow down the flow of milk.

I've always felt that it is better for the child to get their sucking needs at the breast, first. It could be that you are experiencing some high needs days. Hang in, it usually subsides. If you want to give a pacifier, fine. As long as she seems content. . . . could it be that you feel you need a break?

[meg_shannon]

Not too much foremilk.

I know she's not getting too much foremilk because I only nurse her from one breast at a time, and she drains it. Also, when she naps she'll sometimes sleep for 2-3 hours before waking to eat.

In the morning I guess I'm not engorged (based on the above definition), just extreme fullness - I have to hand express a bit before she can nurse.

It's not just the six week point, she's always been like this, and I am just trying to find a solution so she's not always at my breast or my arm isn't contorted while she sucks my finger or thumb during the day.

We are starting to get into more of a routine...I can settle her at night without her nursing (unless she's hungry). We co-sleep; before she would want to suck and I would let her nurse, but now I roll to my back (so the nipple isn't as available), and if she roots she'll usually settle for back patting.

Also, she is getting more used to Dad which is good; gives me a break.

[Tway]

I remember DD sucking my pinky, with the pad on her palate, for weeks. My poor finger was wrinkly and raw, but it kept DD content so we went with it. I remember having to contort myself to get her to sleep.

Eventually, she took a paci, and now uses it for naps and at night. Some babies just seem to need to suck.

[alegna]

6 weeks is still so early, really what you describe is just normal newborn behavior. hang in there! Things do get better.

-Angela

[Snapdragon]

Have you tried the gumdrop pacifier? This is a good one for newborns because it is small and light.
http://www.gumdroppacifier.com/GumDrop-Pacifier-s/3.htm

[karika]

I vote for always at breast is totally normal, until at least 3 months. Babies are born expecting to be held at breast all day and most of the night. I spent the first 3 months with dd2 in babymoon in the bedroom, coming out for bathroom and supplies occasionally. Your milk will regulate to her sucking demands. She will also learn to suck the 'right' way for what she wants. I second the lying down to feed. DD2 would only nurse in the side lying position for the first few months and still prefers it now at 19 mo. A pacifier will affect your supply and nursing relationship IMO. Try to mentally give yourself permission to sit still and have as your only 'job' to be the physical provider for new baby. Read books you have been meaning to read, watch movies, play on the laptop- all while in bad with baby. If you feel the need to take a walk (and it is a good thing to do, to get your vitamin d), then time it when baby is ready for a sleep,, I never liked the sling for a newbie, I use them after 6 mo, but sounds like you have it down...nurse her while in sling till she falls asleep, then start walking, then remove your breast, she should stay asleep.