Peg asked, so here's my Top Ten Reasons Not to Use Pacifiers with Normal Breastfeeding Newborns:

10. Increases the risk of early weaning.
9. Can be a source of nipple confusion or preference.
8. Increases maternal risk of mastitis.
7. Interferes with normal feedback system that establishes mom's milk supply, which depends on baby's suckling for hormonal messages.
6. Reinforces biting and incorrect sucking technique, possibly prolonging feeding problems.
5. Delays feeds until baby is so hungry that latch is more difficult.
4. Increases length of time between feeds during vulnerable growth period.
3. Introduces infection risk.
2. Increases risk of nipple damage d/t baby's increased hunger causing more frenzied feeding behaviors.

And the Number one reason not to use pacifiers with normal breastfeeding newborns is...

1. It interferes with parents' recognition of the need to respond to baby' early hunger cues!

Thanks for asking Peg.

Rachel, your sample of one shoots down my pacifier/biting theory in regard to biting other people, but I'm still curious to know if you had a biting problem while breastfeeding!  BTW, Rachel...you...our listmom...a playmate-biting predator!  Who'd have guessed!?  ;-)
Marsha, who was happy to see her top ten list still up on the bathroom wall this a.m.!

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Marsha Glass RN, BSN, IBCLC
Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations as all other earthly causes combined.John S. C. Abbot
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