Giving your baby a pacifier is a big decision - By using the B.R.A.I.N questions you can be assured that you will make an informed decision. If you are unfamiliar with using the B.R.A.I.N questions, click here below.
"When is the Best Time to Introduce a Pacifier to Your Baby?"
Pacifiers can be given from birth to any age – You can even start giving your little one a pacifier if he or she is already 3 months or even 6 months old. With many different shapes and designs, there are even pacifiers specially developed for newborns and shaped to accommodate their tiny mouths and made to protect their ultra-sensitive skin.
When breastfeeding your newborn, you may wish to wait and introduce a pacifier after your baby has learned to latch correctly and nursing is well-established between you both. Studies have shown that the use of a pacifier in healthy breastfeeding babies, started from birth or after lactation is established, did not significantly impact the frequency or duration of exclusive and partial breastfeeding up to 4 months of age.
With that in mind, we recommend holding on the use of a pacifier when it’s close to feeding time and ensuring the pacifier isn’t used as a mechanism to delay feeding. Instead, enjoy your feeding moments together with the knowledge that it helps support that truly magical, unique bond that you and your baby have with one another.
Whatever timeline you prefer to follow, keep in mind that every baby is unique and may react and adapt differently to this brand-new experience introduced into their life!
References:
Jaafar SH et al. Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016; (8):CD007202. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD007202.pub4/full
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