Lolli’s Lesson: Pacifiers?

So what’s the deal with pacifiers? Should you use one or should you not?

Well, that is a really great question. Before I give you my opinion on pacifiers, know that YOU get to make the decision of whether to give your baby a pacifier or not—and also when you give your baby a pacifier.

There are times when a newborn is given a pacifier to help with pain control—such as during a circumcision or other painful procedures a baby may encounter. When we do this in the hospital,we combine the pacifier with a sucrose solution (a sugar) which is an extremely effective way to help newborns with pain. In our hospital, in particular, if you are a breastfeeding mom, we will use the pacifier for painful procedures, but then get rid of the pacifier. (that is, unless parents have already introduced the pacifier)

Model: Baby Blair doing a wonderful job of using her pacifier!

As a lactation consultant, my focus is going to be that when baby is showing feeding cues, that we put baby to the breast FIRST, before anything else. Babies are unable to communicate, obviously. So we learn what babies need by following their cues. And we don’t always get it right! You may see a baby show a feeding cue when their tummy is hurting. But for the MOST part in the early days and weeks, especially breastfed babies are needing to go to breast when rooting, opening their mouths and sucking on their hands.

Because of this, as newborns are learning to breastfeed, we caution pacifier use until breastfeeding is well established. Now, well established is different for every baby. If you have read my blog regarding my counsel on introducing a bottle, it is very much the same as I tell families regarding introducing pacifiers. However, if you are ready to give your baby a pacifier before then? Go for it! And if you are giving your baby a pacifier in those early days? Please make sure you offer your baby the breast BEFORE giving the pacifier. Even if that means your baby has just eaten 30 minutes ago.

Additionally. a pacifier is something we DO want you to introduce to your baby because of it’s protective properties it offers regarding SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). But you know what else reduces the risk of SIDS? Breastfeeding.

Bottom line: you are the parents of your baby and can make the decision that is best for your family. So if your baby is struggling to learn to breastfeed? It may mean waiting longer before introducing a pacifier. If your baby is a breastfeeding superstar and wants to suck all of the time? A pacifier after a feeding may be appropriate for this baby. Of course, if baby is not gaining weight, milk supply is seemingly low, breasts are not filling or babies do not have the recommended wets and stools, we will evaluate pacifier use at that time. We want you to have all of the information needed to make the best decision possible.