Pacifiers
How to pick the right pacifier for your baby
Traditionally, the lactation-professional world has been opposed to recommending pacifiers for fear of over-use by parents. This is especially true for babies who are feeding well since offering a baby a pacifier too often can offset their feeding and lead to low milk supply and slow infant weight gain. However, often a pacifier can be used constructively when a baby has issues coordinating their oral motor movements. A pacifier can be a tool to strengthen an infant's suck/swallow and improve their oral strength. Knowing how and when to use a pacifier for suck-training should be discussed with a lactation consultant who has a thorough understanding of your entire breastfeeding situation.
Tips for choosing a pacifier to use as a suck tool
When deciding which pacifier to use for your baby, avoid pacifiers that have a bulb at the end. Bulbs will lead a baby to pinch the stem of the pacifier. This leads to clamping behaviors and the bulb can be bent up toward the palate, which could contribute to the development of a higher palate. For babies with high palates, or tongues that bunch in the back, a sloped/conical pacifier (vs a long one) may be a better fit.
Out of the gazillion pacifiers that exist, below are the few ones that we find help best support suck-training without dependency. As with all suck tools, breastfeeding mothers should consult their lactation consultant before use.
Tips for choosing a pacifier to use as a suck tool
When deciding which pacifier to use for your baby, avoid pacifiers that have a bulb at the end. Bulbs will lead a baby to pinch the stem of the pacifier. This leads to clamping behaviors and the bulb can be bent up toward the palate, which could contribute to the development of a higher palate. For babies with high palates, or tongues that bunch in the back, a sloped/conical pacifier (vs a long one) may be a better fit.
Out of the gazillion pacifiers that exist, below are the few ones that we find help best support suck-training without dependency. As with all suck tools, breastfeeding mothers should consult their lactation consultant before use.
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Nipple Shields
While not loved by all lactation professionals, nipple shields have their time and place for supporting some breastfeeding moms and babies. If you think your breastfeeding situation could be supported by a nipple shield, make sure to work with a lactation consultant who can help you use it properly and for the shortest amount of time possible. Nipple shields come with risks such as diminished supply, texture dependency for baby, and sudden lack of latching when one is lost.
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