Breastfeeding and dummies

[pinkkitchens]

My baby is now 2 weeks old and our breastfeeding journey so far has been relatively easy. Not too many problems, latching well, feeding well and gaining weight.

Today however, I feel I have been used as a dummy. I know babies can use breast for comfort as well as feeding, but I'm touched out today with the constant boob attachment. I know it's not recommended to use dummies for breastfeeding babies as it can affect latch and disguise feeding cues.

I was just wondering if anyone could speak from experience? Did you use a dummy and did it bring any problems to breastfeeding? I think we're in the 2 week growth spurt and I'm anticipating a long night and possible use of a dummy!

I used one with my eldest. Looking back it could have contributed to some of our feeding problems, but he had other bigger issues. We did use it alongside feeding during his witching hours.

On the plus side he did like it and it helped him lots when older. I could also take it away when he was about 2.

My youngest refused them. Witching hours were just spent feeding on the sofa. She became a thumb sucker and still is one at 4.

Hi guys looking for some advice please.
baby is 8 weeks old and I breastfed her in hospital for 4 days and was told by the midwife to formula feed as she’d lost too much weight so followed advice and didn’t pump/breast feed enough to keep supply up or even bring it in properly. She has since been on formula with breast some evenings but more like a pre feed and she will guzzle bottle as there just isn’t much there. Really wanted to breastfeed and am sad I didn’t research enough at the start not really understanding it all as FTM, I just went with midwife recommendation and didn’t even think about supply etc.
I understand I’ll never be able to bring enough she she needs to EBF, she’s a big girl drinking around 6oz weighing around a stone (75th percentile) but I’d at least like her to have some and at the moment I have barley anything there! Just a little bit when I hand express.
lactation consultant has asked me to pump 6-8 times to try and build supply for a week and then see where I am. Anyways this was two days ago and I’ve hardly found time to do it. I’m on my own during the day and she’s in my arms a lot and when she’s not I’m either eating or sterilising bottles etc. I’m grateful she’s a healthy happy girl so should I just give up? Or continue to try and get supply in? If so; any recommendations/advice?
I’m supposed to be trying to put her on the nipple too but last week she won’t even do that (with a shield) it’s like she sucks nothing comes out and gets angry (between feeds or before)! Any advice is greatly appreciated x

Used one with my ebf child and had no issues. She fed for 14 months until she self weaned. The dummy went around the same time if not earlier.

I used dummies with my EBF DC, it didn't cause any issues.

Both of mine were breasted.

Used a dummy with the first and had no problems.

Second one refused a dummy and became a thumb sucker. Really regret not persevering with the dummy as she still sucks her thumb 10 years later.

No issue. Generally they not interested if they breastfed but if they are, I never heard it would cause a problem (unless it's from a health visitor becouse according to them, anything other than breastfeeding case an issue...)

I would definitely offer; calms them down and they won't chew on you as much!

It's not recommended until breastfeeding is established. As you're at 2 weeks there's not a big risk of creating latch problems.

Do it. Baby might not like it anyway (mine didn't) but you're past the stage of it being a risk

I EBF DS2 and dummy was a saviour. I used to do a wee 'bait and switch' with a mam dummy and would hold in BF position for a few minutes then transferred to Moses basket! Never had any feeding issues!

I'm due to have my second very soon and I plan to EBF and use a dummy. There's only one of me and I can stick with the baby for hours just for comfort. It helped me with my first for about 2 months then she stopped using it. So helping it helps this time!

Just thought I'd pop back and say baby decided to start sucking his thumb over the weekend so we introduced a dummy to try and nip that in the bud. We've used it sporadically as he's generally a settled baby, it's been mostly at night after his feeds. It's caused no issues so far!

@Mimx94 I think you need to create a separate thread for more answers.
But I would say you need to try and follow the advice of your lactation consultant and pump. If you really want to BF, you are going to have to try to find time. Keep putting baby to breast & do lots of skin to skin contact.

Sounds good OP. Mine was also hunting for his thumb and I didn't want that. We introduced a dummy about 2 weeks in. Best decision ever and didn't affect breastfeeding in the slightest. Still breastfeeding at 16 months.