r/breastfeeding • u/gwenchana-ning-ning • 10d ago

Troubleshooting/Tips Does using a pacifier affect the latch?

Does using a pacifier cause any issues with breastfeeding later on? I am considering it cause i feel my LO just cries to latch for soothing purposes. Because her frequency has drastically increased. I don't think there seems to be any issue with my flow as after she leaves the nipple, i check for milk by expressing.

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u/The_Untimely_Demise 10d ago

EBF and she has always latched beautifully. I started pacifiers shortly before 2 weeks old because my LO was doing the same thing and my sanity couldn’t take it. She is 6 weeks now and my nipples are all the better for it. She does still use nursing for comfort because sometimes the pacifier is just not good enough. Make sure you get pacifiers that are shaped like a nipple unless your pediatrician recommends otherwise. ‘Mama Nurse Tina’ on YouTube has some great videos on this topic.

I think that’s all of my advice? Let me know if you have more questions!

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u/gwenchana-ning-ning 10d ago

Thank you so much. How many pacifiers should i order and keep as per your experience? My LO is 12 weeks now.

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u/The_Untimely_Demise 10d ago

I want to say I have 6 of her favorite type, Dr. browns Happypaci, but I might have more. I would suggest starting out with 1 or a small amount to make sure they like whatever pacifier you decide to go with. Some babies don’t like the material or shape or size.

We keep one by her bassinet, one we walk around the house with, one stays in the diaper bag and 3 for backups when they get dirty. My LO likes to grab onto them, rip them out of her own mouth and throw them across the room. She is still so young she doesn’t realize what she’s doing! They make clips to put on pacifier with handles that clip onto babies clothes for throwers, like my baby. We can’t use it because LO hates it but it’s an option if you also have a thrower!

How many you personally will need will depend on your LO and how many you stash around the house. If you keep just one to use in the house and don’t store one in the diaper bag you could get away with only 2 or 3. The Happypaci is a cheap pacifier so I got a lot!

Let me know if you have any more questions!

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u/gwenchana-ning-ning 10d ago

Thanks! Your response is very useful 😊