Dummy or no dummy

[rccresswell]

Hi all

I was wandering if anyone has resorted to using a dummy with their little one.  I am getting so tired and my baby girl just wants to breast feed all the time for comfort I decided to get a dummy.  I am not really a dummy person and with my other two children they had them but weren't dependent on them.  Am I making the right decision???? because I feel like I should just harden up and rock my baby rather than just give her a dummy.  What do you think?????

[SunWorshiper_26]

Trh when they use you as a paci they are increasing your milk supply so if you want or need an increase that's how you do it :)

[trying43]

My boys refused a paci.  Lauren would take one at first but now refuses it.  I think its ok short term especially if you need some time for you.  Good luck.

[trh0819]

I never get the chance to just rock her to sleep as she usually falls asleep during her last feeding. I did, however, find her more awake last night when I was feeding her so when she finished I sang a little and she fell asleep. I'm pretty sure she was just looking for a way to avoid hearing me sing though. HA!  I fought the paci but my husband through it would be helpful. I personally think she uses it too much even though it's really not that often, but we are still learning. And oddly enough, she has taken it less in the last two days than she did in the two weeks prior.

BTW-- in my previous post, I meant that I let her nurse as often as she wants as a long as she is NOT just hanging out. I don't let her use me as a paci  :-)

[SunWorshiper_26]

You're welcome :). I have given Ellie a pacifier but only in rare situations like after her shots she was too upset to nurse. For the first nearly two months Ellie nursed EVERY hour around the clock so I totally understand what you mean by being exhausted and just wanting to stick a cork in there so you can have a moment. But I also am a stay at home mom and have no other children so if I am nursing by baby constantly the only downside is that I am exhausted but not like it is taking away from other children or obligations I have. So I think you need to weigh advantages and disadvantages and do what you feel is best for you. Hang in there, they won't be this needy for ever and I know it is exhausting but think how quickly they will be big and not wanting to be held and snuggled all the time.

Pacifiers are used CONSTANTLY in the US too. I even see four year olds with them in their mouths in the grocery store and such. I think if you do give a pacifier it should not be used past the age of one but again that is my opinion. At four or five a pacifier still won't kill you ;)

[rccresswell]

Thank you all for all of your comments.  A dummy is a pacifier.  Thanks sun that information was really informative and something that I will seriously consider.  The only time I have given her the dummy is when I need a bit of time to myself.  It is interesting because I have always been anti them and in NZ and Australia they are used like there is no tomorrow so it is nice to hear the other side of the story.  I do plan to breast feed till Ella is close to 1 but if a dummy is going hinder that then maybe I won't use them.

Once again thanks for all that information :)

[SunWorshiper_26]

A dummy is similar to a pacifier but it's designed as an actually replica of a woman's nipple so when the baby wants to nurse you give that too then until they are hungry enough to cry or whatever. My personal opinion is if your baby wants to nurse you should let them. I don't nurse or give Ellie a pacifier to fall asleep, I don't want her to be dependent on that as it will make it more difficult when she is older. I rock her and sing to her until she is drowsy then put her down and rub her head and stroke her cheek until she is asleep. But that works for me and that is not necessarily what will work for others. I think it is important to recognize that everyone has different opinions, preferences, styles and what works for one person may not work for another; it doesn't make it right or wrong :)

[trh0819]

Not sure what a dummy is.. paci maybe? Anyway, Annabelle likes to nurse throughout the day and I let her as long as she's actually nursing and just hanging out :-)  My husband also likes to use a paci when he has her so he can spend time without having to come find me; however, I would say we use the paci only about 10% of the time, especially when I first lay her down to sleep if she's not out as it will help her fall asleep more quickly.

[Dani711]

Is a dummy a pacifier?

If so both my kids hated them.  They kept trying to get Cassidy to take one in the NICU while she was on the feeding tube and she still hated it.  My mom said that she would put it in our mouth to get us to sleep and took it right out when we fell asleep.  hmmm...hope that is what a dummy is LOL!

[SunWorshiper_26]

Here are some facts that I found this is directly from and article:



• Increased ear infections - there is a proven link between prolonged dummy use and middle ear infections. It's thought that sucking on a dummy increases the chance of an infection back-tracking from the mouth into the Eustachian tube (the air-filled passage connecting the middle ear with the back of the throat). Limit dummy use to settling your baby for sleep only, to avoid such problems.

• Link to stomach and other infections - dummy use has been associated with a higher risk of symptoms such as vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, and colic.

• Long-term dummy use can lead to dental problems - the British Dental Health Foundation discourages the use of dummies or thumb-sucking as both can result in problems as the teeth grow and develop, particularly if your child is still using this as a comfort when their permanent teeth are coming through.

• Speech problems - using a dummy prevents babies from babbling, which is an important step in learning to talk, and discourages toddlers from chatting, which they need to do to develop their language skills.

• Using a dummy on a daily basis interferes with breastfeeding - there is strong evidence that women who use pacifiers are more likely to wean their babies off the breast earlier than breastfeeding mothers who don't use pacifiers on a daily basis. Dummy use is linked to breastfeeding exclusively for a shorter amount of time and a lack of milk when the baby is one month old.

Whether the use of dummies leads women to give breastfeeding is a controversial area. Some argue that mothers use dummies because they are having problems breastfeeding or because they don't really want to breastfeed. Others believe that babies find it difficult to switch from sucking on a dummy or artificial teat back to sucking on the breast - sometimes called nipple confusion. Others argue that sucking on a dummy instead of the breast results in lack of stimulation to the breast to produce prolactin, which then results in a reduced milk supply. Women who give up breastfeeding in the first six months often give "lack of milk" as their reason for stopping.

Whatever the reason, the use of dummies on a daily basis has been linked to giving up breastfeeding before a baby is three months old. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works closely with the Department of Health as part of the Baby Friendly Initiative, and strongly discourages the use of dummies or pacifiers while breastfeeding is being established. This is in an effort to try and support mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months because of the many benefits of breastfeeding.

[SunWorshiper_26]

I don't know I think it depends upon what you are comfortable with. Ellie loves to BF all the time and I'm fine with it. It's great bonding and the medical benefits of it are huge for both of you. If you feel that this is a chore than go for it better that than getting discouraged and giving up BF all together