Exclusive Breastfeeding and Pacifier Use for 9-week old

[bigappledoula]

HI, Mamas!  I am currently tandem nursing my nearly 3-year-old (mostly at bedtime) and my new 9-week-old daughter.  She has been exclusively nursing from birth, no pacifiers or bottles at all.  I didn't use a pacifier or any bottles with my son ever...but my daughter seems to have an intense need to suck, but does not want to pacify at the breast at all.  She is a very "efficient" nurser, and only nurses on one side per feeding, only every 3-4 hours during the day, and longer at night.  I try to wake her or offer her the breast much more often than that, but she never wants to take it to pacify or have "extra" feedings, she only wants the breast at her feedings of the previous durations....She is gaining weight great guns, so there are no issues with this "routine" at this point, all is well with supply and her.  My son would take the breast any time, anywhere, and pacify at the breast, and I never even considered using a pacifier.  My daughter, though, sucks on her hands a lot, and falls asleep sucking her hands for naps or in the car, and doesn't want to nurse to sleep.  She flat out refuses the breast anytime except for feedings.  The car is a nightmare, though, because she screams after about 5-10 minutes of being in her seat, and it takes us hours to go anywhere because I stop so often, not wanting her to cry it out in the seat.  So....any exclusively breastfeeding moms of babies around this age out there who did use pacifiers?  Pros and Cons?  I don't want her to increase the duration between feedings (and thus my supply), because I already feel she is waiting a long time between feeds!  I am only considering using the pacifier for car rides and certain select times during the day when I feel she needs it, or I need her to have it.  Should I try it with her or just avoid it at this point, 9 weeks in?   Thanks for your thoughts.  

[Jenni1894]

Only 1 out of my 3 took a paci and were EBF.  DS wanted nothing but me, always (still does, but not nursing, just cuddles! :), he's 7)  YDD wanted nothing with a paci ever.   And was easily pacified by nursing or being held or mostly she just wanted to be left alone.  She's not much of a cryer, and totally mellow and fine just sitting there checking every thing out and taking it all in.  ODD on the other hand was just like your baby.   She'd fuss I was used to DS (oh he's fussing! nurse him and he'll be fine and asleep in no time!!)  She'd get even more upset.   I think we started using the paci early, like I went and got premie paci's b/c her mouth was so small.   It didn't effect her nursing in the least.   She dropped it one day about 9 mos and shortly there after she weened.  I had paci's in my glove box, purse, diaper bag, car seat...you name it.   and DS who is 3 yrs older than her was really good and sticking the paci in her mouth in the car!!   I think paci's are okay and if she likes to suck, IMO that is how she soothes herself.  DD using a paci never interferred with her feeding or latching. 

[greenmulberry]

I think it would be fine. She sounds like a pro at nursing, so I don't see a paci causing any harm.

[Deir]

Don't worry about it. Totally fine.

[foreverinbluejeans]

Some babies just hate car seats and it doesn't mean they need or would even take a pacifier.

[PatioGardener]

A well done research study (randomized controlled trial) showed that pacifier use didn't affect breastfeeding duration. It is, however, associated with breastfeeding problems - so using a pacifier to "fix" a breastfeeding issue is a red flag for reduced breastfeeding duration.

Which all boils down to... if breastfeeding is going well then a pacifier is unlikely to damage the relationship.

Caveat: I spent $60 on a variety of pacifiers for my son with severe reflux. He never took one.