I think that pacifiers can be useful for babies of mothers with oversupply
and oamer.  My poor nephew would drown at the breast with every feed no
matter what we did to fix his latch and lower my sister in laws milk supply
and flow.  THe breast for him was only for food.  He could not nurse for
comfort when his tummy was full.  He was not a very happy little boy despite
the fact that he was never out of his mother's arms - even while sleeping
and growing like crazy.  I reccomended to my sister in law to try a
pacifier.  It seemed to me that this little guy needed to suck.  Just like
bottle fed babies who finish a meal in 5 minutes.  They still need to suck
something.  I prefer fingers, as they are natural and baby controlled but
some kids don't seem to find theirs and some mothers are reluctant to use
their own.  Having watched me raise my kids without pacifiers my sis in law
was totally reluctant to try it but the few times that she did, it was
obviously soothing.  Babies need to suck, and if they can't breastfeed and
haven't found their fingers, perhaps a pacifier is in order.
OK I'm putting on my anti flame gear - let me have it.
Chayn Fogelman IBCLC Israel



On Wed, Dec 2, 2009 at 11:30 PM, Amy Peterson, IBCLC <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> The only "use" for a pacifier is limited to specific strenthening exercises
> (which could be done with a finger instead) or for coordination, but this
> would be extremely limited and under the direction of help, not something
> parents would come up with on their own.
> Recognizing many parents will choose to use a pacifier despite risks, I
> think it is appropriate to discuss pacifier shape and how it influences
> tongue position and movement.  I think it's also good to tell parents when
> to avoid pacifier use, such as to space feedings, because they "think" baby
> is finished, during a growth spurt, when baby is content, as a way of life,
> etc.  Also, to discontinue pacifier use by 4 months when the baby is awake.
>  Re: the SIDS recommendation, I also share that if the baby is already
> breastfeeding to sleep, there is no benefit to using a pacifier during that
> time as baby is already sucking.  My favorite is a Dr. Sears' pacifier
> quote, "If you use it, don't abuse it, and quickly try to lose it."  I'd
> rather parents be informed than avoid the topic altogether.
> Amy Peterson, IBCLC
> Idaho
> coauthor Balancing Breast and Bottle
>
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