breastfeeding and dummies

[badgergirl]

...that's pacifiers, not me that's a dummy...

My 4 week old is exclusively breast fed. We had a nightmare day yesterday where he wanted to feed CONSTANTLY from me, which made expressing (which I was trying for the first time) a bit of a challenge.

I was taking him out to visit my friend, so rather than having permanant boob decoration, I thought I'd try him with a dummy, which worked wonders - he sat sucking contentedly for the hour or so I was out.

When I got home and tried to feed him, though, it took me ages to get him attached, and i had to go back to our failsafe method of feeding in bed, lying down. He was banging his head on my boob, screaming at me, and generally getting really worked up.

I'm concerned that this might be something to do with the dummy, so I'm loathe to try him again. However, with the recommendations of putting them to sleep with a dummy, and also the fact that it DOES seem to soothe him, I'm all confused! Are there any dummies out there that can help prevent nipple confusion for breastfed babies?

Ta!

 

[muppetmummy]

they sometimes want to suck constantly to up your milk supply when going through a growth spurt.

Logan was constantly sucking for hours for a couple days earlier this week. When he was weighed he'd put on 11oz's instead of his usual 4oz, so it was obviously a growth spurt. He's back to normal now.

Ive avoided using dummies so far but some people do manage to combine them with breastfeeding with no problems, you need to be careful though as it could interfere with your supply if used too much

 

[clarey]

I started using a dummy for Eva when her reflux started as it really seemed to soothe her and I dont think we have had any confusion, but it was probably around 6 weeks we tried it anyway. We use the tommee tippee orthodontic ones with a flat bit on the teat, dont knoe if it makes any difference but I look at her sucking it and can see her tongue is forward just as when she is feeding, so maybe this helped with the confusion thing.
My OH often uses a clean little finger to soothe her too which she likes and might be better for you if you are worried about using a dummy - at least it gives your nips a break!

 

[leckershell]

This thread may help a little? I answered on it already

http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=78983

dummies and breastfeeding worked fine for us but I subjected him to everything since newborn so he didn't get a chance to be confused or dependant on one particular thing. he had boob, nipple shields, bottles, dummys... everything worked fine for us, I breastfed him for just over 7 months.

 

[Sherlock]

I use the NUK dummies that are designed to mimic the nipple and are a certain shape. Same with bottles as we are now expressing a couple of feeds a day. HV recommended them as being good for BF'ing babies needing dummies early.

Our LO is 4 weeks tomorrow and has been using the NUK dummies for about 10 days now to get him off my boob and also to help his colic. He's never had a problem between boob and dummy and happily switches between the two easily.

We don't give him the dummy at any other time however. Simply to encourage off my boob when done feeding and when colic is bad.

Also don't forget the constant wanting to feed may well be a growth spurt so him wanting to be on your boob a lot some days is normal. My LO did that yesterday

 

[Xena]

I use Nuby dummies for Alex and I've been breastfeeding him for nearly 10 months with no problems or confusion

 

[badgergirl]

Brilliant, thanks for the tips everyone! Think he's definitely been having a spurt, but I'm going to look into the recommended dummies for a moment's peace