Should I give my 2 1/2 week old a dummy?

[gemmal88]

My wee boy is doing really well, putting on plenty of weight and has a good latch when breastfeeding. The problem is I think he's sucking for comfort and to get himself off to sleep. He'll feed on one side in a few ten min spurts then the other for five - ten mins and then if he stays with me he'll make all of the noises like he's starving again but only go on for a few mind before falling asleep. I stroke his cheek etc to get him sucking again but he's out for the count - until I try to move him that is!

Should I try him with a dummy just to get off to sleep? My daughter had one from about seven days and I think it may have messed with breastfeeding as I introduced it early but my son seems to have a pretty good latch?

Thanks in advance.

[fledermaus]

Is it a problem for you that he's sucking for comfort/to get to sleep?

[Writerwannabe83]

Personally at this age I wouldn't.

A small baby can get a good volume of milk (in relation to their stomach size) in a few minutes of sucking.

If you give her a dummy she will be missing opportunities to feed and don't forget that every time she feeds, even if just for a few minutes, she is stimulating your beast milk production. If she stops regularly suckling then it may effect your supply.

The early weeks are awful in that it seems like baby is constantly on you but it is for a good reason. Unfortunately our breasts will always be used as a source of comfort but at the same time, it's really nice to know we can soothe our babies that way.

There is also the issue of teat/nipple confusion. I introduced a dummy at 5 weeks (because DS had horrendous colic) and I noticed that it did affect his latch and attachment. He'd got lazy because sucking on a dummy is so easy and he seemed to take the same approach to breast feeding. As a result I stopped giving him the dummy routinely but does have it 1 or 2 times a week if he's really distressed. He's 11weeks old now.

[Writerwannabe83]

Ps) sorry for referring to your son as a 'she'

[gemmal88]

Thanks for the replies.

It's not so much a problem but I just don't want him to get used to it and for it to become a problem. The only thing is when he is suckling for comfort his latch can loosen, which makes it quite uncomfortable, I suppose it's nothing lanosinoh cream won't cure though.

Writer you've just confirmed what I was thinking anyway, I think it probably is a bit soon. I don't really mind him on for comfort as long as I'm not making a "rod for my own back" so to speak!

Thanks :)

[curlyLJ]

I introduced one for DD2 at 2 weeks for the same reason and it hasn't affected feeding or latch. She only has it occasionally (useful when trying to re-settle after night feeds if she's fussing) and sometimes she refuses it anyway.

I left it too late with DD1 and didn't try her with one until about 3 months, needless to say she totally refused it!

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

I take DS off when he slips down the nipple and comfort sucks, it's far too painful! I don't think you should just put up with that, honestly. I introduced a dummy at 2wks and have had no problems with bf. If his latch had suffered, my supply had dropped or his weight gain had been affected then I would have stopped the dummy but it's been fine.

[beccajoh]

Give it a go if you want. If he takes it then it'll give you a bit of a break, and it doesn't have to affect breastfeeding. Plenty of breastfed babies have dummies. You could also try a clean little finger. My daughter wouldn't accept a dummy but would suck on a little finger.

[gemmal88]

Tried it today after the best part of 3 hours comfort sucking and red raw nipples but he wouldn't have it!

Part of me is glad but the other part is fed up. Will go to the breastfeeding support group on Monday I think and see if they have any ideas...

[fledermaus]

If he starts comfort sucking with a poor latch take him off immediately - don't let your nipples get sore.