Babies who "nurse all the time" do not become overweight compared with
babies who nurse every couple of hours or so.  Babies vary highly in regard
to their need for a breast to feed them, comfort them, calm them, etc.  I've
consulted several dentists in the past regarding their opinion on pacifiers
"causing dental problems"  and they all said that in general no, they were
not a concern
until the child's permanent teeth came in. (This is because a pacifier only
fits in the mouth one way, while a thumb might press on the teeth, I was
told.)

Pacifiers are certainly overused (okay, abused) in the U.S, and should be
avoided entirely while breastfeeding is being established.  In certain
circumstances they could be of help while driving with a screaming baby, or
stuck in a grocery store line.  It might buy you 5 min. to get somewhere to
nurse...

Lastly, I know of a few breastfed toddlers, and even one preschooler who use
a pacifier, and in their situations, Mom(s) made an informed decision that
for her child, a pacifier was useful.  These moms nurse on cue, and
generally for several years.  More typically, though, I see kids with
pacifiers when breasts are treated as feeding containers, rather than
nurturing tools.

Just another point of view!
Lisa Huntze, BSE, IBCLC
LLLL in Texas

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html