would you introduce a pacifier?

[Hattie'sMama]

I will be returning to work in a couple of weeks, at which time my daughter will be 11.5 weeks old. We have not given her a pacifier and are going to start bottle feeding next week so my partner can get the hang of things while I'm still in the house. My girl comfort nurses A LOT, feedings sometimes drag out to an hour long because she keeps sucking while she's falling asleep. I don't mind while I'm home, but I'm concerned she'll have a hard time falling asleep when I'm gone.

My partner does occasionally give her his thumb to suck on, which I'm not crazy about, but better than letting her scream in the car or while I'm on my way to nurse her. Would you encourage the thumb sucking or start her on a pacifier?

I'll be gone for about 5 hours 4 nights/week and 8-9 hours/day on the weekends, if that changes anything.

[mauri456]

i would for when you are away.  i worked with my daughter and she would take a paci after bottles for the comfort and when my hubby was trying to put her to sleep when i was away.   at this point bf is well established,

[Parker'smommy]

Yes, I would *try* and intro a pacifier if you think she will need to comfort nurse when you are working. But....be prepared that she may not take it either. Not all babies take a pacifier readily, especially after waiting so long. My last babe will NOT take the paci. I intro'd it at 4 weeks and she refuses it. I keep trying...but nope, no dice.

Good luck! I hope she takes it so that your partner is able to comfort her in your absence!

[Marissamom]

I don't see any problem with either the paci or letting her suck on your partner's thumb or finger (as long as it's clean) (sucking on an adult's finger is often considered closer to sucking on a breast than sucking on a paci is). if you're more comfortable with the idea of a paci, then there's no huge harm in trying one.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Marissamom 

I don't see any problem with either the paci or letting her suck on your partner's thumb or finger (as long as it's clean) (sucking on an adult's finger is often considered closer to sucking on a breast than sucking on a paci is). if you're more comfortable with the idea of a paci, then there's no huge harm in trying one.

Yeah, I agree with Marissamom and Parker's Mommy - warn your partner that baby may not take a pacifier, and that a clean finger with the fingernail against the tongue works very well! My little one has severe reflux and could not nurse for comfort (I had oversupply), and would not take a pacifier.  At about 3 months he found his thumb, and all has been right with the world ever since.  Until then he sucked on my pinky finger.

[Ambyrkatt]

I would not give a pacifier. Your baby might surprise you. My DS always nursed in marathon sessions and comfort nursed a lot. Just like with your baby, I was DS's pacifier. I went back to work when he was 14 weeks old and DH stayed home with him for the next 4 weeks. After that, he went to Grandma's house daily until he was a little over 2. One of the things I was most worried about with him was sleep. How was anyone else going to get him to sleep when he always needed to comfort nurse to sleep for long periods with me?

And yet, Dad was able to get him to nap every single day without DS crying to sleep. Dad tended to pop him in a sling right after bottle nursing and take a short walk to get DS to sleep. Worked very well. At Grandma's house, she rocked him while she gave him a bottle and while it was a little difficult because I had to send a little more milk than he probably needed, it did work out. DS needed to fall asleep with the nipple still in his mouth and if the bottle ran out of milk, he would wake up. Once he had completely drifted off to sleep, she was able to pull the nipple from his mouth and lay him down.

Even after going to preschool, I was worried again. He still needed a bottle-nursing session at Grandma's to nap. But he surprised me again. There was a wonderful preschool teacher for his age group and she sat with him and held him and patted his back to get him to sleep. Yes, he did cry, but he was not alone. And she sat with him every day like that until he was able to just lie on the cot and go to sleep on his own. 

So I keep getting surprised. He never needs the same things from other people that he needs from me. 

Hope you're able to get something from my rambling. :)

[akind1]

DS had a paci from almost day one. (I know it isn't recommended, HOWEVER, we all do what works best for us) - around 4 months or so, he found his thumb and gave up the paci. He is almost 13 months and still sucks his thumb for comfort when he's sleepy. When nursing, he pops off when he is done eating and sticks his thumb in his mouth to go to sleep. I see no harm in trying the paci. he may take to it just fine. Or he may find his thumb. I see no harm in babies having other ways to soothe themselves than the breast. (it is especially nice to have something on long car rides!)

That's my 2 cents. But like a PP, he may be just fine with rocking and cuddling and not require sucking to go to sleep.