how early can i use a dummy without it interfering with breastfeeding?

[insywinsyspider]

ds2 is only a wk old so not planning to just yet but wanted to know if anyone knew when I could use one - used one with ds1 until 12 wks but not sure when I introduced it, I used to let him comfort on me loads to start with(which was lovely ) but this time ds1 is 18mo so I can't sit down for as long just gazing at ds2 whilst he comforts... any advice?

Firstly congratulations!

Best to wait until breastfeeding is "established" (whatever that means... I think it means you're over any of the common early problems that some women get) so say about six - eight weeks?

However, some babies can still get confused late on, and some bf babies will never take a dummy anyway.

Getting a sling might help so you can comfort your ds2 whilst not "ignoring" your ds1 (only a suggestion though as I only have one lo so can't offer experience!)

dd2 - my only one to take a dummy - had one from the outset and there was no problem with any confusion re breast or dummy.

I had a 2y4mth old with sn when dd2 was born and there were times when she could not have the comfort of me sitting there whilst she used me as her dummy.

I'm afraid with ds2 I went for a dummy after about 7 days. He was using me as a giant dummy anyway. All was fine. But because he was No2 and i was fairly confident at b/f, I just went for it. I fed him until 16 months, so it obviously didn;t interfere too much. He was a terribly 'sucky' baby.
He gave it up (with a little help from us ) at 12 motns and it saved me - and possibly him!!)

Of course, all babies are different and there is no gurantees that he will take a dummy...

kellymom and dummies

HTH

ds had a dummy before the midwife 'discharged' us at 10 days. i successfully bf him until 20mo...

DS2 had one before he was 2 days old!!
I bf him for 13 months, no confusion, no problems .
DS1 is a thumb sucker.

thanks everyone - seems like I'll just wait till I feel comfortable to use one (or it gets too much to comfort him all the time, he's a very sucky baby already) having dh off work helps

Merry - I have 2 slings but ds seems to hate both of them one is baby bjorn and one a baba sling... he hates being swaddled too so might be he feels the need stretch out

we used them from about a day or so. Wasn't going to with ds2 but ds1 (20 months) removed his dummy with a loud pop and inserted it into his brothers mouth