Operation Lactation

It is not a secret that being a parent is challenging. Anyone you talk to about parenting probably has some piece of advice to offer. It can be difficult to know when the well-intentioned words of wisdom are actually harmful. As they say: you cannot believe everything you hear. I hope that you have found the information I provide on my blog to be helpful and practical when navigating the world of breastfeeding. There are a few things to watch out for when it comes to breastfeeding, and I would like to provide you with the facts.

Pacifiers can be a great tool to help soothe a disgruntled baby, however, they can cause problems. There are loads of different pacifiers on the market, all shapes and sizes, but you will not find one that will match your "God-given" nipple. This causes an issue referred to as "nipple confusion", meaning that baby will have difficulty switching between sucking on a pacifier to nursing at the breast. The general guideline is to hold off using pacifiers at least until baby is a couple weeks old, and then you can begin to introduce them. Ideally, a baby should be a breastfeeding pro before trying out a pacifier, and usually by two weeks breastfeeding becomes much easier for momma and baby. When families are keen to utilize pacifiers earlier, my advice is to proceed with caution. If baby sucks on a pacifier pay close attention to how latching goes at the next feeding session, and if baby struggles to get a good latch maybe it was too soon to try a pacifier.

The other risk associated with early pacifier use is that it can decrease breastmilk supply. The first few days after delivery are so important for establishing breastmilk supply, and you cannot get these days back. When a baby sucks on a pacifier, feeding cues can be masked, and feeding opportunities missed. Remember that breastmilk works on a supply and demand system, so it is crucial that baby demands it as frequently as possible to encourage a good milk supply. So if you decide to try a pacifier make sure to offer the breast at regular intervals (every 2-3 hours) to avoid negatively impacting your milk supply.

Bottles present the same problems as pacifiers. Nipple confusion can result due to the difference between the artificial and natural nipple, plus the flow speed differs. Milk will flow from a bottle nipple as soon as it is touched and milk will come at a quick rate. Baby has more control of the milk flow at the breast. In the early days of breastfeeding, a baby who drinks from a bottle may become frustrated at breast because it works differently. Just like pacifiers, bottle feeding can reduce milk supply, but there is a more significant risk because baby may sleep longer and not wake for breastfeeds if he/she had too much to eat. This can decrease the frequency of feeds, and when baby does not demand it, your body will not make it. So proceed with caution when introducing bottles and pacifiers.

Another thing to be cautious of is "sleep training". There are multiple books and guides out there that preach about training baby to sleep through the night. It is easy to fall for the promise of a full night's sleep, however, this can be detrimental to breastfeeding. A newborn's anatomy is such that frequent, regular feedings are necessary because they have little tummies, which is a sure-fire way to encourage good milk supply. Sleep training can interrupt the feeding pattern and can decrease supply and even be harmful to a growing baby. I am not saying that you can never have a good night's sleep while breastfeeding continues, but in the beginning, those middle of the night feedings are necessary. Your pediatrician can let you know when you can stop nighttime feedings based on baby's growth and development. So there is hope 😉 and there is a place for sleep training resources.

I am not trying to demonize any of these things, I just want you to be aware of the facts and realize the risks involved. Pacifiers can be a life-saver for an upset baby because sucking is a natural soother/pain-reliever for babies, and it is not realistic to have a baby attached to the breast 24/7. Bottles can be a huge help and even necessary for a baby who requires extra nutrition or encouragement to feed. And like I mentioned, there is a time and place for sleep training. Bottomline: proceed with caution, especially when your goal is to exclusively breastfeed.

Peace, joy and blessings!