To pacify or not?

If your 3 month old is established in breastfeeding, then using a pacifier will NOT cause nipple confusion. This happens when the pacifier and/or bottle is used in the 1st few weeks when the newborn is still learning how to breastfeed. Your son is a very smart boy and will know the difference between his bink and his mommy. There are mnay babies that successfully nurse and use a pacificer and/or bottle.And he will let you know when he's hungry vs. wanting non nutritive sucking. Some babies have this urge stronger than others and will suck on anything that they can to satisfy this need. He is not going to just stop sucking on things b/c you don't like for him to do it. My 1st daughter was an excellent nurser but wanted to suck ALL THE TIME. She wasn't content sucking on her hand either. She was 9# at birth and regained her birth weight by her 3 day checkup. She was thriving on breastmilk and successfully breastfeeding, but NEEDED that pacifier. Okay, I correct myself, I NEEDED that pacifier b/c the only thing that would satisfy her other than that was being at breast almost continuously (pretty much during all waking hours). She LOVED her bink and never had a problem w/ nursing while she was using it. I think that your little guy would be fine using a pacifier--that it would not interfere w/ breastfeeding. Sucking on his hands is normal and perfectly fine, as well, but you can't take a hand/thumb away from a toddler that has become dependent on it as a comfort object, where as you can eventually take the pacifier away. Something to naw on.

Good luck!!

I think using a pacifier or not is a personal choice. A lot of breast feeding moms do not want to because it could cause nipple confusion, and others - are willing to give anything a shot. If he is breast feeding and sucking so well, he may not have a problem with nipple confusion. I breast fed my daughter for the first 2 weeks (then switched to formula because she wasnt able to eat for a week, and I was not pumping enough, or producing enough due to stress.), but she was hospitalized when she was only 10 days old... and the hospital used a pacifier often to calm her during blood work and other tests, so I really didnt have a choice. It was either let her scream and get her heart rate up way too high or let her have the pacifier, so I was ok with them giving it to her. I dont think anyone can tell you what to do here, you just have to do whatever makes YOU comfortable. Trust your mommy instinct! =)

If you have been breastfeeding for 3 months, nipple confusion probably won't be a problem, because his mouth muscles already know how to work the breast. I suggest using the pacifier because if you don't he may end up sucking a thumb or finger and then breaking that habit is difficult and can lead to buck teeth. Use a pacifier. By the way, don't use sippy cups with hard plastic where they suck. My sister did that with her kids when they were about a year old and it caused speach delay in her son (according to her son's speach therapist). It messed up his mouth. Use a soft sippy cup or stay with a bottle until he is speaking clearly. Good luck and don't be afraid of a pacifier... babies used their thumbs for hundreds of years.... sucking is natural. pacifiers give you more control and protect the development of the mouth. Good luck and kiss your little boy! He is so precious! I have an 11 month old. I just love him so much!!

I'm confused as to why your 3 month old son is wearing mittens?

I did not use a pacifier and I do not agree with using them. In turn though, my son does sometimes suck or "chew" on his hands/fingers. He did suck his thumb, but only for about 3 weeks, and then got bored with it.

I think that people use pacifiers WAY too much. I see babies with them in their mouths all the time! How can you see their cute little smiles? How can they learn to talk and comfort themselves if they always have a plastic thing in their mouth? Also, I completely disagree with using a pacifier when a baby is crying. That baby is crying for a reason! And yes, sometimes babies just cry... but sticking something in their mouth just because the crying sound is annoying to you isn't right.

Good luck!

It sounds like the baby is self soothing and wants to suck. I'd give in to the pacifier. There are less germs then the hands (you can sanitize the pacifer, everyone touches the baby's hands) and when you see fit you can take the pacifier away. I breastfed for 13 months and my son took a pacifier; he did not experience any nipple confusion.

Also I have read too that the pacifier can help with SIDS at night time.

Good luck!

ur boy is just self soothing. they do that to feel calm. especially wen they are sad or hungry. a pacifier would control your son from self soothing but its wether or not he will take it. my daughter would never have one. also i was told that ypu should wait 4 weeks before trying a pacifier so that breastfeeding will be properly established, and it seems that your've already established that. Your child won't get confused if he does have a pacifier. he will know the difference between breast and pacifier.

At that age he shouldn't get nipple confusion. As the pediatrician told me, babies need to suck. He shouldn't use you for soothing. If your not a big fan of pacifiers try guiding his hands to his mouth for him to suck on.

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatrics now supports the use of a pacifier to help protect against SIDS? (that was in a hand out the doctor gave me) You can try a paci that will give you a rest and may help your baby soothe himself. they make a bunch of different ones. My daughter who is 2 now wouldn't take one. My son who is 3 weeks old, had had one since he was 2 days old. He loves it and it saves me from having him at the breast for more than feeding. My favorites are the Avent pacifiers and the MAM Nannos they are soft silicone orthodontic pacifiers.

It is instinctive for babies to suck. They need something to suck on. It doesn't have anything to do with jaw exercise or hunger. Find a pacifier that will satisfy your baby and let him do what come natural. Good luck and Congratulations.

One of my children started sucking his thumb because he, too kept looking for his hands. Eventually, he would go to sleep with it, and over the years, it got so bad that he had chewed into his thumb. It was hard to get him to stop. At least a pacifier you can eventually take away.

Well there is NO way to get them to stop sucking and licking. Its natural. But i have a 6 month and i use a pacifier b/c i don't want her to suck her thumb. I can take away a pacifier when the time comes but i cant take away her thumb....