Breastfed 10 Day old.. okay to introduce a dummy?

[imwithspud]

I'm currently breastfeeding my 10 day old DC2. She, like DC1 who was also BF is turning out to be a very sucky baby (which I understand is totally normal at this age), she feeds 2/3 hourly roughly but also cluster feeds so just a normal bf baby really.

I didn't introduce a dummy to DC1 until around 4 weeks although I wish I'd done it sooner because she didn't like to comfort nurse, so before then she was using my pinky finger as a dummy which wasn't really practical. I would still know when she wanted a feed as she would reject or spit the dummy out if offered. Now I know how breastfeeding works and I know it's important to let them feed as often as possible in order to establish a good supply which I am doing. But sometimes DC2 will want to comfort nurse which results in her either unlatching from the breast shortly after latching, then rooting around straight after, taking in too much milk and either: vomiting it everywhere or squirming around uncomfortably with tummy pains despite trying to wind her. I feel like every now and then she wants to suck but doesn't want the extra milk that comes with that.

Would it be silly of me to introduce a dummy now? Even if I limit it just to the times where she seems to want to suck but doesn't want milk? I know they don't advise giving a dummy to breastfed babies till around 4-6 weeks, just wanted to hear others experiences.

[imwithspud]

Also not sure if it's relevant or not but she is well over her birth weight now, only lost an ounce when weighed at 5 days old and had gained 5oz when the midwife came to weigh her yesterday.

[SilverHoney]

My PFB is 2weeks old and only breast fed. Had one bottle of expressed milk when she was left with dad for a couple of hours. Gave her a dummy at maybe 3 days old. However I am conscious of letting her use it to settle and then taking it out once asleep, so she doesn't have it for hours on end.

I haven't found it have a big impact on our feeding but I've been pretty lucky that she's latched / fed well. I guess you could always try and then remove it if you feel it's having a negative impact.

[imwithspud]

Thanks Silver I might try it out and see how it goes, we seem to have the latch down now after a difficult and painful first week or so. Like you say it can always be taken away if I feel it's having an effect on breastfeeding. I remember umm-ing and ahh-ing like this about giving my PFB a dummy as well but it was fine in the end, DC1 is 2 and a half now and weaned off the dummy a few months ago.

[AnnaS19]

I introduced a dummy on day 4 and it had no detrimental effect on breastfeeding for us and has been a lifesaver as ds was a very sucky baby too!! I think it also helped with introducing a bottle for expressed milk at 4 weeks which was a godsend when I needed a couple of baby free hours! I have a few friends who waited longer to introduce a bottle and their babies have flat out refused them.

[sunshineandshowers]

I used one at day 3. No problems with breastfeeding. Totally breastfed. I was also careful not to let him have it for any length of time, just to drop off to sleep then I'd pull it out. I didn't want to miss hunger. He is now 14 weeks and spits it out if not wanted.

[ColdCottage]

I have my DS a dummy at around 3 days old (didn't know about waiting). It really helped and I am still BFing at 13 months.

It was good for popping in but still keeping him close to my chest when I knew he was going to make himself sick if he kept eating.

I felt guilty at first - though why I don't know but it was a real life/sanity saver!

[ColdCottage]

My DS only really uses it when he goes to sleep now days and spits it our himself shortly after that himself?

There has also been research to say that it can possibly reduce SIDS. However if they do use a dummy you shouldn't remove it as that can actually raise the risk of SIDS.

I've had no problems with dummy use. He had it for the first 3-4 months when he was going to sleep or especially grizzly or poorly and now only really has it when he sleeps (even with one tied to the end of his bobble had cord all through the winter so it didn't drop on the floor).

I hope the dummy helps her and you