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| Education and Support for Nursing Mothers |
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| Pacifiers Pacifiers are -- at least in the first month, and sometimes for the duration of your nursing relationship -- a no-no. This is because pacifiers, like bottles, can lead to nipple confusion and can cause a decrease in your milk supply. According to La Leche League, pacifier use has been associated with increased incidence of: Early weaning: It may be caused by pacifier use, or the pacifier use could be a symptom of other problems that contribute to early weaning. Incorrect sucking technique at the breast: In at least one study, babies who had sucking problems were more than twice as likely to use a pacifier as babies who did not use a pacifier. Slow weight gain: The baby may become inefficient at suckling at the breast, thus causing the mother's supply to drop; or an easy-going baby may be content to suck the pacifier and not nurse enough to gain weight properly. Ear infections: Several studies have found a correlation between increased pacifier use and increased occurance of otitis media. Possible reasons for this include the increased amount of saliva caused by pacifier use crrying more microorganisms to the Eustachian tubes, or the non-nutritive sucking changing the normal function of the Eustachian tubes. Thrush: Studies have found thrush more common among babies who use pacifiers, possibly because the candida organism thrives at room temperature on moist surfaces, or because pacifier use decreases the baby's ability to effectively clear sugar -- food for the organism -- from his mouth. Also, the inadvertant sharing of pacifiers at daycare can transmit the organism from child to child. Dental problems: Research has shown a greater incidence of caries as well as an effect on the proper growth of teeth and the jaw in children who use pacifiers. Mastitis: Since the baby spends less time at the breast, the breast may not be drained properly and the baby's suck pattern may change, predisposing the mother to mastitis. Earlier return of fertility for the mother: Studies have shown that when babies satisfy their need to suck, even non-nutritively, at the breast rather than with a pacifier, the mother's fertility tends to return later than for those with babies who use pacifiers. |
| Pacifiers Leaking |
| Leaking Whether or not you leak is not an indication of having an adequate (or inadequate) supply. Many mothers with wonderful supplies never, ever leak. That said, leaking is common in the early weeks. You may leak from one breast while feeding from the other. You may leak whenever your baby cries. You may wake up quite full & leaking. You may find yourself leaking as you look down at your angelic, sleeping baby. Hearing another baby cry may start you leaking. Just thinking about your baby may even start you leaking! So how do you deal with leaking? Wear nursing pads. Disposable or reusable, up to you (you might even want to make your own out of soft cotton flannel or cloth diapers, cut into circles & sewn neatly around the edges) -- but do avoid the disposable kind that have a plastic liner, because these keep air from circulating and can contribute to sore nipples and breast infections. Make sure you change your pads as soon as you notice they are moist. This will also decrease the likelihood of developing sore nipples and/or breast infections. Nurse more often. (Or, if you're not with your baby, pump more frequently.) Leaking could just be a sign that you've gone too long between breast emptyings. If you find you're leaking at an inopportune time, you can often stop the leaking by just folding your arms across your chest to apply gentle pressure to your nipples. Plan for camouflage by wearing prints, or having a jacket or sweater that can cover-up leaks. |
| Common Concerns p. 4 |
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| Last Updated February 2, 2004 |
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