Sunday

Suggestions that Suck

OPINION
How would you explain to mom the difference between a baby that wants to eat and a baby that just wants to suck and be comforted? Would you suggest she use a pacifier? - Anonymous

8 comments:

BrooklynMomma said...

Maybe. It depends on how old the baby is and what type of comforting he/she needs. Is it teething? Loneliness? Boredom?

katydid said...

I'm not an infant expert, but I think I would say what you said here. If the baby wants to suck and doesn't need to eat why not give a pacifier? Unless mom is an anti pacifier mother.

MissMannah said...

I doubt you need to tell her. She probably knows if the baby is not eating and just sitting there for comfort. You can suggest a pacifier but a lot of breast-feeding moms don't like to use them. I personally think all babies should be introduced to the paci and that nipple confusion is very rare.

Megan said...

I would agree that it depends. Keeping the baby at the breast (aka "using mom as a human pacifier") is actually one of the best ways to increase milk supply, especially if the baby is young and mom is trying to set her supply for the later months.

If you feel like it is excessive for his/her age, or if it is making your job caring for the baby unbearable, I would just have a nice discussion with MB. At the very least, she could explain to you her reasoning for allowing the baby to feed so often.

nycmom said...

Yes, the only problem with pacifiers in infancy is the potential for a slight increase in ear infections. The benefits in terms of secure attachment and comfort are real. I have no idea why early paci use gets demonized. If you have more than one child, you will usually see that some kids really need more oral comfort, some more physical comfort, etc. My only child that loved the paci has remained with strong oral needs at 12yo.

Anonymous said...

Taking a moment to remind you that pacifiers were designed to fill the need when mom was absolutely unavailable, not the other way around.

Like it or not, agree with it or not, a baby is and always will be more content on moms breast.

It's not your place to ask a woman, regardless of your relationship to her, to substitute her natural breast for an unnatural man-made object.

I've been both the mom and the nanny, so I can see both points of view.

Manhattan Nanny said...

If your MB is planning to go back to work, and you will be caring for the baby, I definitely think you should discuss introducing the pacifier. If you and/or DB will be giving bottles of expressed milk, you may have trouble getting the baby to take it if he has only been receiving both milk and comfort from Mom. I have used a pacifier with a lot of infants and never had a problem with nipple confusion.

oceanblue said...

I don't think she is demanding the mother use a pacifier.

I think she is looking for ways to make life with the baby easier.

Maybe mom is stressed out by constantly having the baby at the breast? I don't think it is wrong for you to suggest it, but as a pp said she can probably tell when the baby is not eating.

Just a warning the baby may not take to the pacifier not all kids like them.

Also if the baby just likes to be held close try a wrap/ or sling with moms scent on it. Might help.

Y