Are pacifiers really 'that' bad - part 2...

[momofadella]

Hi,

I posted a couple of months ago about possibly using a pacifier for my soon to be born baby.  Well...I now have a 5 week old that I'm trying to get to take the pacifier, but not having any luck.  It is really important to me that she learn to take it.  I have a 3 year old (who is still nursing), I was very anti-pacifiers with her.  I ended up having a little girl who couldn't go to sleep or stay asleep unless she had my nipple in her mouth for 2 years!  It was really hard on me.  I'd like to do things a bit differently this time.  I need to be able to have my husband put her to sleep this time, it can't all be me, all the time, this time around.  I'd like to be able to use it for naps and at night time and maybe the car seat.  I've tried several types of pacifiers and haven't had any luck.  She spits it out or gags every time. Does anyone have any suggestions on types of pacifiers for breastfeed babies?  Or, any suggestions on how to help her learn to take it?  Is she too young, maybe she'll take it better in a few weeks?  IDK.   I'm just worried that this little baby will end up with such a strong suck/nursing to sleep association like my other daughter did.  She already won't nap longer than 20 minutes if my nipple isn't in her mouth.  I can't possibly hold her while she sleep sucks this time when I have a 3 year old to care for.  Help....

[melon]

I can't really help you, but I think some kids just don't like them. Neither of mine took it, although I am still trying with my 11 week old. He will take it for a few seconds, but then spits it out. My 2 year old always spit it out immediately, like it really pissed him off.

Good luck!

[homemademom]

Two of my babies took them. I didn't try to give them to my 1st and 2nd babies, but I did my 3rd and 4th and they liked them. However, my baby #5 absolutely refuses (which really stinks since we have to do a lot of driving for the older kids and he doesn't like the car!).  I don't think you can make a baby take one, unfortunately. I will say that my two that took them would only use the flattened Mam ones or the orthodontic ones with the funny crooked neck.

[Alenushka]

I think with my first one we tried 10 types before we found the one he liked

[Momsteader]

Keep trying some different types! I hear you on not taking them making it hard for going to sleep! My now 4 week old will take one and I knew from the get-go that I was going to try very hard to get him to take one as my last one didn't and I had the same sleep issues it sounds like you did.

I tried Avent, the Nuk ortho, Gum drops, the green one you get at the hospital, no luck. He sort of would take the gumdrop one, but not for long and not unless I was holding it in his mouth.  What ended up working right away was the "Mini Mam" one for 0-2 mos. He took it first try and kept it in and now takes it really easily. It hasn't affected his nursing at all and certainly not his weight gain either.

I'd say keep trying!  I also found that if you can get them to take it and then cuddle them up to your chest or breast like you are nursing and that sometimes 'fakes them out' enough that they'll start sucking and be fine with it.