Greedy BF baby - dummy/soother ok?

[Lizziepots]

My LO seems quite greedy and feeds for the sheer hell of it (doesn't know when to stop).
If she cries and her bum is ok, she's not cold etc. then I have been putting her to breast but I think she sometimes just needs to suckle (have proven this with a finger which will calm her back to rest).

She is only 4 days old and exclusive BF but would it be ok to give her a dummy? And if I do could I limit it to certain times? I know it is supposed to interfere with their feeding and cause confusion but would too much damage be caused if I try it?

 

[leeanne]

Very good question honey! My other two were comfort suckers and would not take a dummy. I am so hoping that I will be able to change things this time around with my little one.

 

[Holldoll]

A lot of BF experts will say not to, but I have my own theory that A) Nipple confusion probably won't happen with a paci because they are not getting anything from it, besides the satisfaction of sucking and B) if they are really hungry they won't take the pacifier. I regret not giving Bella one in her first few days old, now she absolutely refuses to take one.

 

[clairebear]

jack wont take one either x

 

[Ragirl]

I generally avoid them in the first few weeks because even if it is just comfort sucking, it helps get your milk supply up and is functional from that standpoint. I also know newborns tend to feed constantly to gain weight and I don't trust myself to know when she needs to eat and when it's just comfort (the fact they will take a finger doesn't necessarily mean they don't need to eat too). Having said that, I don't think there is much harm in giving her one, as long as you are able to tell when she is truly hungry. I don't think there is as much risk for confusion as there is with a bottle.

 

[Samantha675]

Bren was constantly on the breast the first few weeks. I didn't mind as I knew it was good for getting my supply in good order. It will feel like all you do is feed for awhile, but that will pass I promise. Just remember that her tummy is still tiny, and it takes a lot of work for her to get milk, something she has never had to do before, so she probably gets tired easily. She is also used to getting food 24 hours a day.

 

[isil]

I was told that after a week it'd be fine to give my LO a dummy - as it is he doesn't take it but if you find that yours does and it helps as long as you're not over using it and it just gives you a break from time to time, I say go for it.

 

[tinytoes]

just today my paediatrician told me to use a dummy as Ted is eating too often and is just wanting comfort suckling but ending up having lots of dinners!

But Ted is 6 weeks old. I'd give it a couple of weeks before you introduce your LO to a dummy - you dont want baby to prefer the dummy top boobie!

how often does she feed? every 2 or 3 hours should be OK.
Personally I'd give LO all the comfort she needs in the first few weeks. It's a big scary world and she just might need mummy's boobie a bit more than she will do later on.
x

 

[cupcake]

my baby had a paci from day 2, he is exclusively breast fed. hes only really got the hang of sucking on it now at almost 2 months old.

 

[Lizziepots]

Thanks everyone. Well, I've managed a few more days without the dummy and we're doing ok still. The main problem now is my right nipple looks as though it is peeling off! Aaargh! I'm having to perservere with BFing from this side but boy does it hurt. Really. lol I'm walking round with them out most of the time to get air to them..think at some point a couple of days ago she couldn't have latched on properly and this caused it...she gets so eager to feed, throwing her head around and woody woodpeckering it is sometimes hard to get her to land in the right spot! She is such a good baby too..only cries at this small frustration when she's hungry..otherwise we don't really hear a peep...unless her bum explodes of course!

 

[lynz]

i have used a dummy from about day 3 and my daughter is breastfed only. My midwife suggested it after i had been awake nearly all night as chloe wanted comfort by sucking on my nipple and would fall asleep easily then as soon as i put her down in her moses basket she would wake an appear hungry. Like someone mentioned earlier if they are hungry and not just wanting comfort they will not take the dummy anyway. Now i feed her put her down in her moses basket with the dummy and the dummy gradually fallls out as she goes to sleep