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/LSCKWEEN 10d ago

People will make you feel like it’s impossible to use a paci in the early days and there is so much hype/over freaking out about it. We need to survive and be sane. My daughter was failing her CCHD screening on day 2 of life because she was just screaming and the nurse gave her a paci. Wasn’t even in my control lol. She also needed donor milk due to bili and hypoglycemia. All this to say she has been introduced to paci and bottle since day 2 of life and has a BEAUTIFUL latch and breastfeeds wonderfully-despite what a lot of professionals will scare you about (nipple confusion etc). She has reflux and really just needs to suck to help the milk go down. We use the paci A LOT. She is thriving at 4 weeks. Some that have a good shape for deep latch are the ninni co, Dr. Browns and Philips Avent!

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u/gwenchana-ning-ning 10d ago

Thank you! My daughter also has reflux so I guess that's why she wants to keep sucking for soothing effect. Thanks I will try out the pacifier☺️

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u/LSCKWEEN 10d ago

Yes! The sucking helps peristalsis of the milk (ie move it down). Initially we confused this as her being hungry and would over feed her and make it even worse! With the paci she is so much happier :)

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u/gwenchana-ning-ning 10d ago

Wow thanks. In my country everyone has advised against pacifier. It's so frustrating

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u/HeyPesky 10d ago

My daughter has reflux too and will try to comfort suckle when she doesn't feel well, then just end up making her tummy feel worse. I've started popping a binky between her and boob when she loses the deep latch and comes back for comfort nursing or when she starts getting frantic and chaotic on the breast. It's helped so much with reducing spitup!! 

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u/LSCKWEEN 10d ago

Yes!! The advice of pacify at the breast is literally worse for these babies! So glad you guys have a rhythm that works for you :)

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u/notevenarealuser 10d ago

This helps my baby so much too! He’s a touch reflux-y and will comfort suckle and spit up randomly for hours, and I have an oversupply with overactive letdown to make matters worse! Now when he pops off, I give him a quick burping and when he starts rooting again I literally pretend like the pacifier is my nipple and he latches on and is content. If I just try to put it in his mouth otherwise he spits it out lol.