Barbara and all,
Since pacifier use is a marker (correlation) for early weaning, but not
necessarily a causation to early weaning, perhaps the babies that use
pacifiers are the ones with resp. abnormalities (subtle though they may be)
and the resp. situation is the real cause of bf problems. Barbara, you have
been a tremendous asset to this list with your understanding of the dynamics
of suck, swallow, breathe etc and sharing your knowledge and resources with
us. I find this to be a little understood and acknowledged area of bf work,
and I acknowledge that I need to expand my understanding and skill in this
area.
Laurie

<<Essentially, the connection seems to be that there are some infants who
have depressed respiratory affect.  Sucking stimulates an "auxillary"
respiratorycontrol center in the brain that is used during feeding.  Sucking
on a thumb or pacifier may be a compensatory survival behavior the at-risk
infant adopts to protect respiratory status.>>

Laurie Wheeler, RN, MN, IBCLC
Violet Louisiana, s.e. USA

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