Pacifier and thumb sucking

[lifesconcerns]

So my daughter is 7wks now and until last week I had avoided giving her a pacifier.  I crumbled one night after several hrs of crying and constant nursing.  It worked at the time but she now she really just doesn't want to take it, which is fine,  but I've since been told by my mother and a friend that I should continue to try and give her the pacifier or she will end up turning to her thumb.   My first son had a soother until he was 2 at which point I threw it away but I remember it driving me crazy at first cause as soon as he fell asleep and it slipped out of his mouth he would be up crying for it again, My second son sucked his thumb until he was 3 1/2 and I use to think it was oh so cute until I realized I couldn't just throw it away..it was a tough habit to break and he always had it in his mouth their was no controling it.  So if it's one or the other I would prefer the pacifier, but is it always one or the other???  I have never met a baby that didn't have a pacifier or suck on thumb/fingers.  My girl has found her finger or fist on occasion but nothing regular as of yet, Should I try and encourage the pacifier? Or just let her be?  I obviously can't force her to take it.  Any of you have children that did neither?

[Heatherm4]

I'd say do what works best for you. The biggest reason why I gave my son a pacifier was because he likes to suckle after feeding and I didn't like that too much. (too demanding/time consuming) so I gave him it and he's fine. He doesn't absolutely need it to fall asleep but it helps. When it's not in his mouth then his fingers are. I've found him sucking on his thumb before too but only once in a blue moon.

[Clysta]

Just do whatever. I know plenty of babies (my youngest sister was one) who had a pacifier and still used their thumbs as well. My baby refuses pacifiers--she hates anything synthetic--and chews on her first finger and fist. There's nothing set in stone though that says it will be one or the other, because babies aren't from cookie cutter molds. Do whatever feels and works best for your little one.