statistics on dummies imterfering with breastfeeding a newborn.

[Librashavinganotherbiscuit]

Hi does anyone have any evidence that giving a newborn a dummy can interfere with establishing breastfeeding, if you have links I can read even better thanks.

I don't know of any evidence but I do know that the act of sucking a dummy, with the tongue towards the front of the mouth is different to the position - further back - when BF, which might interfere with efficient feeding ?

If you read this
www.kellymom.com/bf/start/concerns/pacifier.html

There are also a number of links towards the bottom of the page on different studies.

I think one of the biggest probelms is missing feeding ques in the early days and failing to estabilish a good milk supply.

no evidence from me, always waited til about 8 weeks. However ds3 is a week old and i am letting him have the dummy occasionally during the day. I have so much milk i am already expressing to build up a supply (for christmas parties!) and he is feeding whenever he is awake, demand feeding but certainly at least every 3 hours. Not sure what that proves but cautious use maybe ok? (and maybe if not first baby so your milk supply is proven?)

Libra - Have a look at this presentation and thisby Brian Palmer a dentist specialising in dental occlusions and breastfeeding and oral health.

In particular look at slides A88, A109, A110 and slides C15 - C22, they aren't just about the effect of dummies on bfing but also the effect on the mouth.

There is also a study mentioned in these slides here which may interest you as well.

Thank you for all that will have a read.

I posted this on another recent thread:

review of current evidence on association between pacifier use and breastfeeding

Personally I wouldn't give a dummy as a matter of course from the start, without trying other means of settling first. But as to whether they are harmful to b/f, I think there's no firm evidence either way. I understand that in the States there's quite an imperative to resolve this issue of whether they do or don't interfere with b/f because of dummies apparently being protective against cot death. It is thought that the apparent link to b/f problems/cessation might be more to do with some mothers who use dummies being less bothered about b/f, rather than any inherent harm to b/f per se.

I'm sure it also depends whether they are being used as an occasional last resort to settle the baby, or whether the baby has one stuffed in its mouth 24/7.

this is purely anecdotal, but for me i think the dummy actually HELPED bfing. DS didn't have a good latch in the early days and i think the dummy helped him learn how to suckle. he only had it for short periods in the day, but it certainly seemed to help.