Dummies and Pacifiers: Should you pack one in your hospital bag?
Whether you call it a dummy, a pacifier, or even a soother, the question remains the same: "Should you take it to the labour ward or not?" This is a dilemma faced by many parents.
If you aren’t planning to exclusively bottle-feed and formula-feed from birth and your baby is born on time, then my answer is 'no' .
Not only is a dummy unnecessary for a newborn in the first few days, but it can also affect the establishment of breastfeeding and lactation.
It’s called a 'dummy' because it mimics the real thing. It was invented as a substitute for the breast, not the other way round. It is empty; the baby will suck on it and receive no milk. When sucking on a dummy, the baby experiences a false sense of fullness at a hormonal level. experiences a false sense of fullness at the hormonal level. This is crucial to ensure the baby gets enough calories, has energy, keeps weight loss within normal limits after birth, and starts gaining weight as quickly as possible after the ‘milk comes in’.
Lately, I’ve been seeing many sleepy babies during my consultations. For them, it’s particularly important that whenever they are sucking, they are sucking at the breast and getting milk.
Breast milk:
- will help to pass meconium,
- will help reduce the severity of physiological jaundice,
- provides the energy to suckle more and for longer,
- stimulates the breast. This means that milk will ‘come in’ faster/on time, and greater potential for milk production will be established.
- And babies learn to breastfeed in the first few days. It is important for them to learn to latch on correctly and effectively, and to practise suckling. A pacifier, whatever its shape or material, does not provide the same sucking technique. A shallow latch and ineffective sucking 'learned' from a dummy can then be transferred to breastfeeding. This can then lead to painful breastfeeding and sore nipples.
- In the long term, ineffective suckling leads to poorer emptying of the breast and reduced milk production.
- There is also a risk of the baby refusing the breast if bottle and pacifier are introduced too early.
Once breastfeeding is well-established, birth weight has been regained, and weight gain is optimal, you can then consider introducing a dummy.I’m always against blind fanaticism. As well as its impact on breastfeeding, dummies carry various risks and potential negative effects, but there are families for whom this parenting tool may be necessary. I am all for informed choice.
- Where can I find the latest scientifically proven recommendations on pacifier use?
- How long should it be used for?
- How should it be used correctly?
- How can I avoid a difficult weaning process?
- How can I wean my baby off the dummy gently?
And if you’re preparing for motherhood, why not book an antenatal consultation? We’ll discuss much more than just dummies — from what to expect in those first few days to baby care and how to avoid the most common breastfeeding challenges.
Navigating motherhood with confidence, together.
Author of the article: Aleksandra Ņekrasova
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