I am having a really hard time getting my newborn daughter to take a binky/pacifier. Instead she insists on using my breast to soothe her all the time(I breastfeed). Not only is it difficult to go out in public, but she tends to over eat because of this and throws up. We never had this problem with her brother, he took to a binky/pacifier right away.
So...does anyone have any suggestions on how to get my 1 month old take a binky/pacifier?
I appreciate everyone's suggestions.
It took us another week or so after I posted this, but she is finally using a binky. We just kept giving it to her everytime she cried, even if only for a second.
Although she doesn't need it as much as her brother did, it helps enough that I can take her out in public now!
Hi B.,
With all three of my children it took a little while to get them used to a pacifier. I just kept trying different kinds and offering it to them. They all took to it by about 6 weeks or so. That stage between 4-6 weeks was so hard.
Hi B.! Don't make her take it if she doesn't want it! My daughter never had one, she would suck on the corners of her blanket, the tags on her stuffed toys or my sleve, etc. but my son could not live without his and we only got rid of it when he turned FIVE!!! So be happy she is satisfied with that and don't get her started on something that is hard to stop! Good luck!!
Here's what to do...wrap you baby burrito style, tight, place the binky into her mouth, then cradle her close and tight to your chest/breast area. She'll try to cry, arch back, wriggle, and squirm her way out of it at first. Especially if YOU do this, because she already knows the real you. Better if you have a friend/hubby try this. So, hold her snuggly tight, walk around the house, or outside, so she knows it's not just feeding time. The trick is to hold your position until she gives up. And trust me, she will. Remember, you're the one training her. Some babies get this right away, some take a few tries, but it usually works with in the day.
And if you're in the area and want me stop by, I'd be more than happy to pop in the pacifier.
Good luck!
My best,
Jennifer
Which type of pacifier do you use? My breastfed children preferred the NUK brand of pacifiers. My daughter had a harder time taking to it, so I bought a bigger nipple size on the pacifier. My breasts are a little larger, so I am not sure if this was any correlation or not, but it worked.
I had the same problem. Someone told me to put the pacifier in the baby's mouth and then gently tap it with your finger. When he would start to fuss just a few more taps before I knew it, he was taking the pacifier with no problems. Not sure how this worked but it did.
Good luck!
D.
I worried about the same thing when my newborn son seemed to be constantly attached to my breast and would spit out and become frustrated with a pacifier. He is 8 weeks old now, and if it helps, things became so much easier at about the 6 week mark. I can take him out all the time, I even take him to work with me without problems, and I won't have to break him of the pacifier habit. I was worried because I had heard from a doctor to not let him use my breast as a pacifier, but really that's silly because afterall the breast came before the pacifier. I did more research on breastfeeding and was suprised to find this is quite normal and natural. I found that he(following his insticts), knew much better than I did what he was doing, established my milk supply, helped me recover, and then began eating only when he was hungry. He is my first baby so it was a big change for me to not be out and about like normal. It helped me to get some good books and magazines and remind myself that he wouldn't always want to be so close or so easy to pacify, so I should enjoy it while it lasts. If you want to try a book that helped me a lot try "Breastfeeding Made Simple" by Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett. PS - sometimes in the evening he still wants to feed almost constantly, but that too is normal.
Some babies just don't like pacifiers - our would never take one, despite our repeated efforts. But now we get the benefit of it - we didn't have to break him of the habit! And more nursing will delay the return of your period, which is also another benefit. And don't forget that nursing in public in Arizona is legal! Blessings!
Not all babies like pacifiers. 2 of my 3 children would not take them... if you put a paci in their mouth it would become a projectile. My first child was mainly bottle fed and only liked her thumb- even at one month old. My third also would not take a paci and he was EBF.
I'm also from the school of thought that breast-fed infants won't overeat. Here's a snippit from a Web site that may, or may not, be of help. (http://www.infantbabymaternity.com/)
"Is the infant hungry? Perhaps he needs to nurse or have a bottle. Offer a feeding. Small infants need to eat often, as they are growing rapidly. Eating is also soothing and comforting. An infant will never overeat; so do not worry about overfeeding. He will stop crying when his hunger is satisfied.
Once infants eat, gas develops. An infant's digestive system is very immature - eating is a new experience! The infant's crying could mean she needs to be burped. Place the infant against a shoulder so that her stomach is up against the adult's shoulder. Pat firmly on her back to see if she needs to burp. Sometimes, walking the baby in this position can help soothe her. Remember, she was used to movement in the womb. Another way to help relieve gas is to sit the baby with the palm of the hand against her stomach, and the infant leaning up against that hand. Pat firmly on the back repeatedly to see if that helps the baby to expel air."
As for soothing, have you tried a sling? I didn't try one until I had my third but it is wonderful! I wish I had used one with my first two!
