> One question that was asked during peds section meeting was why are
> fingers ok and pacifiers aren't?  I had to say I have not seen this question
> addressed in the literature, but that ample evidence exists that shows
> pacifier use is a risk to breastfeeding success.  Does anyone have more info
> or ideas about this?  I would especially love to get my hands on studies or
> journal articles.

I read in "The Womanly Art of Bf" that some kids went on strikes because
they sort of "confused" their fingers with the breast.

My experience with my own daughter was that for a while, she preferred
sucking on her fingers than nursing.  I would equate this to a "nursing
strike" or "finger/nipple confusion" type of situation.  I would suspect
that there might be fewer problems with sucking on fingers/thumbs for
several reasons, primarily that the object being sucked on has a SKIN
feel to it (it's warm, and tastes like skin) rather than being made of
latex/silicone.  I also think that perhaps a long thumb or finger being
sucked on might ressemble more a breast nipple than a short stubby paci.
teat?  I am not sure.

Anyhow...that is my idea on fingers.

Fio.

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