Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Introducing a dummy while breastfeeding

12 replies

Lisaoakley · 20/09/2015 19:36

My son is two and a half weeks old and breastfeeding. He has started being very fussy and only settling when put on the breast. Once he has fed and is sleepy I try to remove him, but he fusses til he is put back on. Then he only comfort sucks, not drawing much milk (he has been on for the past three hours). I know the experts say wait until six weeks when breastfeeding is established, but I was wondering if anyone has successfully introduced one sooner? I don't want to interfere with breastfeeding, but I really think a dummy will help. I can't wait four weeks as I also have an 18 month old to look after and can't have a baby on the boob all day

OP posts:
helloelo · 20/09/2015 20:09

There's a growth spurt at 3 weeks, shouldn't last long Flowers
Also, you remember cluster feeding in the evenings in completely normal?
Can you get support from your DP?

helloelo · 20/09/2015 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tanito279 · 20/09/2015 20:16

Just give in to the dummy. I did and bf'd for 10 months. plus dummies reduce the chances of SIDS so it's all swings and roundabouts. Ps congratulations and good luck xx

Laquila · 20/09/2015 20:18

I can't remember when I first gave a dummy, but it was probably around two months and was an absolute lifesaver. I bf til 19 months with no apparent confusion on his part. At 24 months he is still wedded to his dummy for sleeping, however!

gamerchick · 20/09/2015 20:23

Good luck.. I would have killed for mine to take dummies. They were mega sucky babies.

Just do it.

NickyEds · 20/09/2015 20:55

I gave dd a dummy at about a week I think, she's 9 weeks now and bf is fine. My sister took dummies into hospital with her third!

User24689 · 20/09/2015 21:23

Mine is 5 weeks, I gave one at 3 for same reasons. Sometimes she'll take it, sometimes she won't. It hasn't interfered as far as I can tell and it has saved my sanity a few times!!

Original poster
Lisaoakley · 20/09/2015 22:09

Thanks everyone, I'm thinking I will go ahead and do it. DP is very supportive but there's only so much he can do, he's at work all day. At least one of his night feeds is also just a bit of a suckle, not a proper feed so I'm thinking this may also get me a bit more sleep!

OP posts:
Dixiechick17 · 23/09/2015 03:50

I introduced a dummy after week one, never affected her feeding and she has never had any troubles with her weight. She soon spits the dummy out if she doesn't want it. Be prepared to try different dummies, my DD will only use the event ones, my friends only the MAM ones :).

Dixiechick17 · 23/09/2015 03:50

*avent

villainousbroodmare · 23/09/2015 23:10

Go for it. I did it at 5 weeks but I wish I'd done it sooner. Nuk is the winning one for us! It's only used when necessary and does soothe him nicely.

icclemunchy · 23/09/2015 23:20

DD was in NICU and had a dummy before she had a chance to BF. For a good 2 weeks. She's now 8.5months and still BF and still has a dummy. I just made sure to always offer the breast first and then give her the dummy when I was sure she didn't want actual milk.

Agree with a pp about maybe having to try a few. DD will only take the big old cherry ones!!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page