You may have strong feelings about whether or not you want your baby to have a pacifier.
The reason we are going to address the use of pacifiers under the category of breastfeeding is because of something called “nipple confusion”. This situation can occur when a newborn is working hard to learn how to suck appropriately to obtain nutrition at the breast and a pacifier or bottle is introduced. This is most often a problem when done within the first 2 weeks of life, therefore many hospitals do not have or offer pacifiers.
Once your baby is a couple weeks old and breastfeeding is well established, you should be ok to introduce a pacifier if your baby has what is called “non-nutritive sucking” needs. These babies search frequently for something to suck on even when not hungry. Sucking comforts them and often a pacifier will quiet and calm your baby.
