Ada, CLC - Why is a Pacifier called a Dummy in the UK? Does a Normally Fed Baby (Breastfed) Need a Pacifier? Does their use help or impede baby and breastfeeding? Why a Dummy? Its because they are a substitute for the real thing, the breast. A dummy, the dictionary tells us, is a counterfeit object. “In many parts of the English-speaking world, pacifiers are called dummies. They stand in for mothers breast, like a dummy stands in for a human being in a department store window or in an automobile crash test.” (llli.org/nb/nbnovdec95p172.html) Why not just give baby the Real Thing, a breast and satisfy babys needs and build Moms milk supply at the same time? “Some breastfed babies use pacifiers with no problems. However, whenever a substitute for sucking at the breast is used, there is always a risk of consequences that may affect the breastfeeding relationship. Pacifier use in the early weeks may affect milk supply and lead to slow weight gain. It is important that nursing sessions are not delayed and that all sucking is done at the breast in order to establish a good milk supply.” - lalecheleague.org/nb/nbnovdec07p279.html “The risk of nipple confusion, whether by introducing a bottle or pacifier, is greatest during the early days of nursing. The longer you wait to introduce artificial nipples, the less risk there is of confusing your baby.” - breastfeedingbasics/articles/introducing-bottles-and-pacifiers-to-a-breastfed-baby “To enable mothers to establish and sustain exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, WHO and UNICEF recommend: Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of life Exclusive breastfeeding – that is the infant only receives breast milk without any additional food or drink, not even water Breastfeeding on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night No use of bottles, teats or pacifiers” - who.int/nutrition/topics/exclusive_breastfeeding/en/ “It is recommended that pacifiers and other types of artificial nipples be avoided for at least the first 3-4 weeks. I’d personally suggest that most breastfed babies – if they get a pacifier at all – would be better off without a pacifier until mom’s milk supply is well established (6-8 weeks, usually) and the 6 week growth spurt is over. That way you’ve established a good milk supply and don’t lose any much-needed breast stimulation to a pacifier.” - kellymom/ages/newborn/newborn-concerns/pacifier/ You may say, “But pacifiers are shown to reduce the risk of SIDS!” Pacifiers help prevent an artificially fed baby (commercially formula fed) from sleeping deeply and stopping breathing. Of course, if Baby isnt overfed as most bottlefed babies are, and isnt fed hard to digest cows milk as most commercial formulas are; he/she wont sleep too deeply anyway!
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jan 2015 03:57:08 +0000
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