Pacifier panic - 2 weeks old

[malibu_nikkus]

This is my fifth, and by far most suckiest (as in he is always looking to suck) baby yet.  He is ALWAYS looking for his hands to self settle but can't quite yet.  He can't self soothe (I imagine once he finds his hands, he will be able to).  I can rock him sometimes, but mostly he just screams until I offer the breast.  I feel like using a pacifier would be a good option, but why do I feel guilty about this? At 2 weeks will it cause nipple confusion? Will it cause issues with milk supply? If hungry, will he suck on pacifier or yell out for food?

Why the guilt? It's silly, but it's there...

[Shiv52]

Congratulations on your little bundle xxx

I had to give my DD2 a dummy early on. It didn't affect BFing at all.

My Dd3 could have done with a dummy too but her latch was really poor and I really didn't want to confuse things so with her I waited until 5/6 weeks.

So I guess my advice is if his latch is good and he's feeding well then I didn't find any issues with using a dummy at 2 weeks. I think so long as you make sure he doesn't go 2 hours without a feed and only use it to settle when you know he's had a good feed etc. TBH mine all had dummies and all let me know when they needed a feed!!

HTH x

[deb]

My DD2 had no issues nursing but NEEDED a pacifier from the day she was born. Each baby is different; there's no need to feel guilty.

[zissi]

you may want to have a look at this article on kellymom, a really good breastfeeding website:
http://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/newborn-concerns/pacifier/
if I were you I probably would hold with the dummy, babies that young are designed to feed feed feed. it will help to establish a good supply too. could you wear baby in a sling too? sometimes they just want to be held and feel close to mum, not necessarily drink all the time...?