Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

I am interested in finding out how you ladies feel about pacifiers. My DS is 2 1/2 weeks and I have not given him a pacifier. I am not sure what I am going to do. TIA

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

She used them for about 2 months and then lost interest.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

She will not take one.... and boy have I tried.
Reasons to use a paci:
some babies need to suck- it's soothing
proven decrease in SIDS risk
you can take away a paci, you can't take away a thumb.

Message edited 10/23/2007 9:06:41 PM.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

My DS was never interested so we never used them. I was happy with it because it's one less thing to have to take away.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

I used one briefly when i really felt DS needed it- like whne I knew full well that he was full but he was still looking for something to suck. I would also take it away when he seemed satisfied. My MIL tried to pop it in his mouth all the time and I really felt it was something I didn't want to overuse. Ds wouldn't even take one after about 2 months.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

I didn't in the hospital and didn't intend to when I got home...but that dream ended the first night.

It's fine for me right now. She uses it for naps, bedtime and crying and that's it.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

I wouldn't use one, its very hard to ween them later on, Julia never wanted one, plus I EBF her for 11 months so she would always spit it out.

My sister kids had the pacifier's and they are 3 and 4 and she is still trying to ween them of it.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

I really didn't want to use it until she was used to nursing, so I delayed it for a month and then I only gave it to her when she was extremely fussy or when she would nap/sleep. Now at nearly 4 months she only uses it at night.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

DD uses one for naps and bedtime. we plan to wean her between 18 and 24 mths.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

From the minute my DD was born she was a very aggressive "sucker". There is no way I could ever deprive her of a pacifier. I did a bunch of research on this issue prior to her being born and from what I understand there are more pros to using one than there are cons.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

DS only took one in the hospital. Refused it after. Oh well, never had to wean him from it

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

Yes, Ava uses one, but only at nap time and bedtime. If I try to give her one any other time, she gets annoyed, and honestly, she doesn't even really need it at night anymore either, she actually just holds them now
In the beginning, many babies need to suck to help soothe themselves and calm themselves. And some babies physically just need to suck more than others.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

decrease in sids is enough for me.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

I would only give it if you feel it necessary. Don't give it for no reason.

DS takes one, but he uses it for naps, bedtime and car rides. He only looks for it when he's tired.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

Yes, DS uses a pacifier. I gave it to him first night home. I was trying to hold off to avoid nipple confusion because I was EBFing but he was a HUGE sucker and I couldn't NOT give it to him. Pediatrician actually recommends it. She said we'll talk later on how to wean him.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

DD uses one. She mostly uses it for naps and night sleep but she'd love to have it all day long. Sometimes she sticks her hand into the crib between the slats during the day and the next thing I know she's got it in her mouth. It definitely soothes her and she loves it. It'll be a tough habit to break.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

They gave DS one in the hospital and we use it when he is going to sleep, in the car and when he is having a meltdown.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

Ella only uses one to sleep. Personally, I hate the look of babies with pacifiers constantly in their mouths, so I never wanted her to become too dependent on it. I'd like to break her of the habit soon, but she sleeps so well, I don't want to ruin it.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

SOmeone gave me very good advice..she said to stop the pacifier @ 4 months b/f dd got attached to it..I stopped @ 4 months..she is 10 months and she hasn't used it since. The first few months the soothie pacifier(the hospital one) was a godsent!

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

No, never did, never wanted to. I know... MEAN mommy but here's why...

First, I was BFing and didn't want that possible confusion from day one... well, that lasted 3 weeks.

Second, did I really want to get up throughout the night and put TWO pacificers back in TWO infants mouths My DD was in the NICU for a week and they gave her one to soothe her when she was hooked up to all of the machines, tubes etc. (poor baby ) welll, the first night home I was up half the night putting it back in every two seconds. My MIL was in the next room and she came over and said she would fully support me if I ditched the pacifier so at 2 am in the garbage it went.

Third, I wanted one less transition to have to go through. Same reason why they went straight to the crib, no co-sleeper, no bassinet, on their first night home.

DS found his thumb and is a big thumbsucker... fine with me because he can't lose it... heck, he has two

I know, I'm heartless but with two I have to make my life easier anyway I can.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

DD used a soothie for the first few weeks - but then had no interest in it. She's a thumbsucker.

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

yes we do.... but cadence sometimes does not want it and when she doesnt she just spits it out but there are the days that she really likes it

Re: Do you use a pacifier? Why or why not?

Yes, we do. No big deciding factors. DD needed to be soothed so we gave her one (initally she refused it but took one around 4-5 weeks). She uses it to fall asleep if I don't nurse her to sleep and also in the car when she gets a little fussy (which usually means she needs to sleep).
I figure I'll cross the weaning bridge when I get to it.