Hi Casey
Non-nutritive sucking *at the breast* is important.  Pacifier (we call them
'dummies' here - seems appropriate) use interferes with milk supply because
they are used in place of suckling at the breast.    Pacifiers were invented
to quiet artificially fed babies who had been fed unphysiologically large
amounts of modified cow's milk through a teat that forces them to swallow
equally unphysiologically large boluses (lest they drown) in a such a short
space of time that their sucking needs are not satisfied.  Babies who are
(breast)fed as often as they indicate (by wriggling, rooting, sucking tongue
or blanket) that they need to, will often feed very frequently in the early
weeks (usually 12 or more times in twenty four hours).  These babies have
their need to suck met at the breast - where they were designed to get it.
This in turn ensures that mothers establish a plentiful supply of milk.
What to tell mothers who want to use dummies in the early weeks - the truth.
'Many mothers use dummies.  Research tells us that babies who use dummies in
the first week are 50% more likely to be completely bottle fed at four
weeks.  Mothers who don't use dummies are much more likely to be able to
meet their breastfeeding goals.'
Why are thumbs not a problem - because mothers don't put them into babies'
mouths, babies do - and if a baby is hungry and no milk comes from a thumb,
she will pull it out and call out for a breast.
Regarding protecting mothers from feeling bad ... This is rather
patronising.  Mothers are entitled to all the information they need to make
a good decision. Failing to tell them the truth about dummies compromises
their autonomy (informed choice).  Would you worry about what to say to a
mother who smokes around her children so as to protect her from feeling bad?
I think you would probably tell her that if she smokes near her baby she
will be at the doctors more often this year with colds and ear infections
and that she is putting the baby at risk of SIDS and of being admitted with
pneumonia.  In the same way it is important to tell mothers who indicate
that they want to breastfeed that using a pacifier will put them at
increased risk of breastfeeding failure.  Then if a mother chooses to use a
dummy (or to smoke) she is exercising her autonomy - as she is entitled to
do.
Nina Berry
University of Wollongong
Australia
 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
Mail all commands to [log in to unmask]
To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or [log in to unmask])
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet or ([log in to unmask])
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]