Pacifier for the car?

[sewaneecook]

I haven't had to drive anywhere with DS by myself yet, but when he's in his carseat, he gets very upset. When I'm in the back seat with him I can calm him down (usually!). DH goes back to work next week and then I'm on my own during the day with DS. How much would it affect BFing to use a pacifier only when in the car? I think he'd like it b/c one thing that calms him down is sucking on my finger while in the seat.

[PancakeGoddess]

For me, anything that can possibly help is worth doing, when it comes to car-crying. I hate it. It drives me mental and I think it's very scary for the babies, too, who are used to being responded to promptly.

If it is going to affect your nursing, you'll notice, and then you can just stop giving the paci. It isn't likely to be some sudden disaster.

[turtlemama77]

I would really really watch his latch, and if it changes at all, stop using the pacifier.

[violetbutterfly]

I've introduced passys with all my babies around 1-2 weeks old and either they took it or they didn't. It never affected nursing at all.

[otter]

I was just asking my husband this very thing on the way to our 2 day check up. Macy seems to do just fine in the car now but I worry about when I am driving and she is crying. I too was wondering when to start a paci if at all.
Glad this was posted!

[momsmyjob]

I usually waited until they were at least a few weeks old, but my last one never took one. He didn't care for it. I've never had trouble with them crying in the car though..maybe it will pass.

[jinkel]

Originally Posted by PancakeGoddess

For me, anything that can possibly help is worth doing, when it comes to car-crying. I hate it. It drives me mental and I think it's very scary for the babies, too, who are used to being responded to promptly.

If it is going to affect your nursing, you'll notice, and then you can just stop giving the paci. It isn't likely to be some sudden disaster.

: I *wish*, I wish that my ds#1 would've taken a paci (he never did) - it would've made the car rides much less stressful for both of us...!

[Jish]

If you can't reach the carseat safely while driving to keep putting it back in their mouth over and over in when it falls out, I wouldn't even get it started. It takes months for them to be able to keep it in or put it in by themselves.

[sewaneecook]

Originally Posted by Jish

If you can't reach the carseat safely while driving to keep putting it back in their mouth over and over in when it falls out, I wouldn't even get it started. It takes months for them to be able to keep it in or put it in by themselves.

Hmmm, something I hadn't considered! I don't even know if he'll take it or not. I didn't want to attempt it if it would harm BFing in any way (which it sounds like it wouldn't for the short time it would be used). I'll try it if he gets inconsolable, otherwise I hope he simply gets used to the car or at least tolerates it!

[writermommy]

My oldest took a pacifier and it didn't affect her breastfeeding at all. Not one little bit. But, all babies are different. If he seems to get confused stop using it. My oldest was very colicky and it really helped her. All babies have different needs. I have three girls: one took a pacifier, one took nothing but the breast and the third is a thumb sucker. I just follow their lead. They know what they need.

[veganf]

We started pacis on day 2 with our first baby. Baby #2 refused them, and it really made car rides a nightmare. It never interfered with breastfeeding for us, in fact #1 had a better latch than #2. Go figure. I'll definitely introduce a paci with #3 and keep my fingers crossed! I hate screaming car rides.