What are everyone's thoughts on using a dummy with breastfed babies?

Lucy Lu · Nov 4th, 2009, 17:29 PM

Hi - question above says it all really. I absolutely HATED the thought of using a dummy before our LO was born, but we've found he cries constantly in the evenings and struggles to settle to sleep after his feed immediately before bedtime - and the dummy has really been helping to soothe him. He feeds lots in the evenings as well, is putting on weight and my milk supply seems ok so I'm getting less concerned by the day that it's causing any problems for the breastfeeding.

Just wondered what other's thoughts were though? And if anyone has had any problems with using a dummy alongside breastfeeding? I would hate for it to cause us problems further down the line.

florabean1981 · Nov 4th, 2009, 17:59 PM

my LO is 4 weeks old & has had a dummy since he was 5 days old, despite both myself & my OH swearing we would never use one! It settles him very quickly when he is crying & such. So far, he's had no nipple confusion & it doesn't seem to have affected his latching or sucking in anyway. I think every baby is different though- some can take to both with no issues, whle others get confused & struggle.

PS. were you an october bumpkin?

bubbles · Nov 4th, 2009, 18:15 PM

I tried to use one with DS and at first he took it but now refuses point blank. I would say as long as it's working for you carry on but if you find it is effecting LO's latch or either of you are uncomfortable may be worth taking it away to see if you can correct things and only introduce again if you feel you want to xx

lindak · Nov 5th, 2009, 04:44 AM

Zac ha had a dummy since day 4 . He doesnt always want it but it soothes him if he is restless sometimes and other times he sucks so hard it keeps falling out and keeps him awake. He ha had no nipple confusion, so go for it if its helping.

Lucy Lu · Nov 5th, 2009, 17:14 PM

Thanks guys- we've not noticed any nipple confusion so I think I'm ok with that. I've been a little concerned because I've heard people say it can make the baby forget that they're hungry. He was very drowsy for a couple of weeks after he was born due to being early so I'm little wary of him drifting off again and not asking for his food when he should!

Florabean - we were due 28th October, but LO arrived on the 6th October - so same day as you looking at your ticker! I didn't write much in the bumpkins thread but I've been on b&b since we were TTCing. Hope all is going well for you and little Harry. Ive just noticed your weight pre, post and during pregnancy is also pretty much exactly the same as mine! - ho spooky - lots of similarities!

TigerLady · Nov 5th, 2009, 17:20 PM

Forget their hungry?? That is not likely! LOL I was totally against it, too. But then my pediatrician told me to use one, so I did. It was a life saver! We started at about 2 weeks. He sucked it tons when he needed to fall off to sleep, but was having trouble. He just has a really strong instinct to suck. In the last couple of weeks, he has sort of gotten over it and spits it out more often. He will still use it when he is really tried on occassion. Now he seems to prefer his thumb!

saraendepity · Nov 5th, 2009, 17:26 PM

we use a dummy and daisy is bottle fed too!! lol so she has me, her dummy's and a bottle and has never had any nipple confusion!!! lol this has got to be the worst case scenario for encouraging nipple confusion but we have never had any probs

...if it works for you then stick with it

Lucy Lu · Nov 5th, 2009, 17:32 PM

Thanks guys - I have been a bit paranoid about it as he was a born 3 wks early and we had to spend 2 weeks waking him for every single feed, by changing his nappy, stripping him down to his vest to wake him up properly and forcing him on the breast!!! - and he was struggling to put on weight. He's developed a noisy pair of lungs now and put on weight so I'm getting more confident by the day, but the first two weeks still prey on my mind a bit xx

cleckner04 · Nov 5th, 2009, 18:27 PM

It is whatever works for you hun.

I only use a paci when in the car if she starts crying and we can't get her to stop with songs or talking to her. Every baby is different. I wouldn't worry about it a bit as long as your LO is happy and healthy!

mommyof3co · Nov 5th, 2009, 18:28 PM

I used one with all 3 of my boys and it never interfered with breastfeeding

Nov 4th, 2009, 17:29 PM	#1
Lucy Lu Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,455	What are everyone's thoughts on using a dummy with breastfed babies? Hi - question above says it all really. I absolutely HATED the thought of using a dummy before our LO was born, but we've found he cries constantly in the evenings and struggles to settle to sleep after his feed immediately before bedtime - and the dummy has really been helping to soothe him. He feeds lots in the evenings as well, is putting on weight and my milk supply seems ok so I'm getting less concerned by the day that it's causing any problems for the breastfeeding. Just wondered what other's thoughts were though? And if anyone has had any problems with using a dummy alongside breastfeeding? I would hate for it to cause us problems further down the line.

Status: Offline

Nov 4th, 2009, 17:59 PM	#2
florabean1981 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Gosport, Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,405	my LO is 4 weeks old & has had a dummy since he was 5 days old, despite both myself & my OH swearing we would never use one! It settles him very quickly when he is crying & such. So far, he's had no nipple confusion & it doesn't seem to have affected his latching or sucking in anyway. I think every baby is different though- some can take to both with no issues, whle others get confused & struggle. PS. were you an october bumpkin?

Status: Offline

Nov 4th, 2009, 18:15 PM	#3
bubbles Other BnB Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 4,504	I tried to use one with DS and at first he took it but now refuses point blank. I would say as long as it's working for you carry on but if you find it is effecting LO's latch or either of you are uncomfortable may be worth taking it away to see if you can correct things and only introduce again if you feel you want to xx

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 04:44 AM	#4
lindak Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dublin , Ireland Posts: 1,096	Zac ha had a dummy since day 4 . He doesnt always want it but it soothes him if he is restless sometimes and other times he sucks so hard it keeps falling out and keeps him awake. He ha had no nipple confusion, so go for it if its helping.

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 17:14 PM	#5
Lucy Lu Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,455	Thanks guys- we've not noticed any nipple confusion so I think I'm ok with that. I've been a little concerned because I've heard people say it can make the baby forget that they're hungry. He was very drowsy for a couple of weeks after he was born due to being early so I'm little wary of him drifting off again and not asking for his food when he should! Florabean - we were due 28th October, but LO arrived on the 6th October - so same day as you looking at your ticker! I didn't write much in the bumpkins thread but I've been on b&b since we were TTCing. Hope all is going well for you and little Harry. Ive just noticed your weight pre, post and during pregnancy is also pretty much exactly the same as mine! - ho spooky - lots of similarities!

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 17:20 PM	#6
TigerLady Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In a Cave Posts: 22,889	Forget their hungry?? That is not likely! LOL I was totally against it, too. But then my pediatrician told me to use one, so I did. It was a life saver! We started at about 2 weeks. He sucked it tons when he needed to fall off to sleep, but was having trouble. He just has a really strong instinct to suck. In the last couple of weeks, he has sort of gotten over it and spits it out more often. He will still use it when he is really tried on occassion. Now he seems to prefer his thumb!

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 17:26 PM	#7
saraendepity Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Co Durham Posts: 6,500	we use a dummy and daisy is bottle fed too!! lol so she has me, her dummy's and a bottle and has never had any nipple confusion!!! lol this has got to be the worst case scenario for encouraging nipple confusion but we have never had any probs ...if it works for you then stick with it

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 17:32 PM	#8
Lucy Lu Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,455	Thanks guys - I have been a bit paranoid about it as he was a born 3 wks early and we had to spend 2 weeks waking him for every single feed, by changing his nappy, stripping him down to his vest to wake him up properly and forcing him on the breast!!! - and he was struggling to put on weight. He's developed a noisy pair of lungs now and put on weight so I'm getting more confident by the day, but the first two weeks still prey on my mind a bit xx

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 18:27 PM	#9
cleckner04 Mum (Mom) BnB Spammer Elite Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 21,311	It is whatever works for you hun. I only use a paci when in the car if she starts crying and we can't get her to stop with songs or talking to her. Every baby is different. I wouldn't worry about it a bit as long as your LO is happy and healthy!

Status: Offline

Nov 5th, 2009, 18:28 PM	#10
mommyof3co Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 10,076	I used one with all 3 of my boys and it never interfered with breastfeeding

Status: Offline

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