Baby Pacifier: Frequently Asked Questions

To prevent nipple confusion, you should not give the baby a pacifier until he/she is at least 6 weeks old. Once they are 6 weeks old you can give them a pacifier, but be sure you do not substitute the pacifier for a feeding. Dad's Questions

Pacfiers are not advised for the breastfed baby. Bottle nippples should not be given until your baby has established feeding at your breast - when the baby is about 4 to 6 weeks old. Bottle nipples require a different sucking pattern than breastfeeding. It is possible for the baby to become confused about how to suck at the breast and how to suck from the bottle nipple. top

Most breastfeeding counselors recommend avoiding bottle nipples or pacifiers for about the first month because they may interfere with your baby's ability to learn to breastfeed. After you and your baby have learned to breastfeed well, you can make your own decision about whether or not to offer a pacifier.

She uses a paci for naps and bedtime only. However, it seems to be a toy more than anything. She pops it in and out of her mouth, and sometimes chucks it over the side of the crib (Noob Mommy golfclaps unamused). I usually replace it if she's very fussy, but that's rare. Luckily, she's old enough to find the paci now on her own. Score!

During the early weeks, when you and your baby are learning to breastfeed, you may want to avoid pacifiers. Pacifiers can increase the risk of ear infections and cause early weaning. Many breastfed babies prefer fists, thumbs or fingers and refuse pacifiers.

It is best to wait a few weeks and let breastfeeding get a good start, build up a good milk supply and let baby get used to one kind of nipple. Then before baby is a month old you may have dad or grandma offer baby an occasional bottle, maybe when baby is a little sleepy and in a room where you usually don't breastfeed. Baby's suddenly hungry

If you’re committed to trying to exclusively breastfeed, let the nurses know early on that you’re breastfeeding and that you don’t want your baby to suck on a pacifier or a bottle. This will allow your baby to practice and perfect breastfeeding without being confused by a bottle or a pacifier. However, if a pacifier is occasionally needed in the nursery (such as during a circumcision, when baby boys are often given pacifiers with sugar water), it won’t disrupt your nursing, especially if your baby is rooming in with you.

Avoid bottle nipples until your baby gets used to feeding at your breast - when the baby is about 4 to 6 weeks old. Also avoid using pacifiers, especially during the first 3 weeks of life. Bottle nipples and pacifiers require a different sucking pattern than breastfeeding. It is possible for the baby to become confused about how to suck at the breast and how to suck from a bottle nipple or pacifier.

As with most babies, babies tend to want what they don't have. From our experience and the feedback that we have received, babies tend to use the Soothe-along™ less than a pacifier.