Should I Introduce A Pacifier to My Baby?

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Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC

Babies are born with a strong innate sucking reflex necessary for survival. When combined with the rooting reflex, a newborn baby can find the breast, suck and swallow milk. Sucking can also bring soothing comfort to a newborn baby, and parents often run to a binkie for a quick fix. Read on to learn the pros, cons, and helpful tips about introducing a pacifier to your breastfed baby. 

When Can I Introduce a Pacifier? 
All major baby experts agree parents should wait to introduce a pacifier until breastfeeding has been well established. Baby should have gained back their birth weight and be gaining weight appropriately (around 3-4 weeks). Avoid supplementing with a pacifier if baby is hungry. Limiting the pacifier for naptime and bedtime is best. After the initial first weeks, a pacifier can be considered and has some evidence-based benefits too!

Which Type of Pacifier is Best?
Pacifiers were created to mimic a breastfeeding mother’s nipple and first debuted in the early 1900s. Originally they were mostly made from natural rubber, later latex, and most recently BPA-free silicone. 

Choosing a pacifier with a rounded tip better encourages nursing at the breast. In addition, the silicone material is soft and smooth, which resembles a mother’s nipple. If baby doesn’t seem interested in the pacifier offered, you can try a different one to discover the baby’s preference. 

Pros & Cons

✔ In the first 6 months, decreased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrom when given at the onset of sleep 

✔ Suck training and shorter hospital stays for premature infants. 

✔ A distraction for car rides and airplane travel, especially during take-off. 

✔ Pain management for minor procedures. 

✔ Provides comfort if the mother is not nearby to nurse. It should not replace a feeding but rather temporarily soothe a fussy baby. 

✖ Early pacifier introduction has been linked to a shorter duration of breastfeeding, sore nipples, and engorgement. 

✖ Prolonged use can increase the risk of ear infections and thrush. 

✖ Pacifier use is associated with poor dental development if continued after 2 years old.

✖ Overuse and prolonged use may interfere with language development.

✖ It can be tough to break the pacifier habit, and weaning can be difficult. It’s recommended to ditch the paci before baby’s first birthday.  

Helpful Binkie Tips

★ Clean often and sanitize pacifiers daily 

★ Replace if torn or broken 

★ Wean baby before one year

★ Limit to bedtime and naptime

★ Never use a pacifier with a clip or strap, which can pose a hazard 

★ If baby is happy and content no need to introduce a paci 

★ Don’t push pacifier back in if baby refuses

More to Consider 
Interaction with your baby is vital for language and social development. Your baby will be less likely to coo or try to communicate while sucking on a pacifier. Moderation is key. Many breastfeeding families temporarily introduce a pacifier and continue to meet their breastfeeding goals. 

For guidance and support anytime, connect with a Spectra IBCLC at ibclc@spectrababyusa.com.

Sexton, S., & Natale, R. (2009, April 15). Risks and benefits of pacifiers. American Family Physician. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2009/0415/p681.html#:~:text=Early%20breast%20weaning-,AAP%20recommends%20pacifier%20use%20in%20infants%20up%20to%20six%20months,procedures%20in%20the%20emergency%20department.&text=AAP%20suggests%20offering%20pacifiers%20to,reduce%20the%20risk%20of%20SIDS. 

 

When and How To Drop A Pumping Session

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By Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC 

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk. After 12 weeks, your body has gotten the hang of milk making, and it could be an optimal time to drop a pumping session. Every breastfeeding experience is personal and unique. 

Read on to decide if you are ready to drop a pumping session and how to do it the most effective way.

How Often Are You Pumping and How Old Is Your Baby?
Trying not to go more than 4 hours without pumping/nursing is a general breastfeeding rule while breastmilk is being established. It’s best to wait until after the first 12 weeks to start eliminating pumping sessions. Frequently draining the breast every 2-3 hours will ensure your body produces enough milk and avoids engorgement. If you reached the 12-week milestone and pumping 8x or more per day, dropping a pumping session can be safely considered. 

How Much Milk Do You Currently Make Per Day?
Babies from one to six months old will consume on average 25oz per day. Research tells us exclusively pumping will yield a range from about 19oz to 30oz per day. On average, that’s 2-4oz combined every 2-4 hours. Milk production usually peaks at around 40 days postpartum, and it’s normal for this amount to fluctuate from day to day or session to session too! If you are nursing your baby at the breast and currently adding in pumping sessions, expect to see half the amount, ½ -2oz combined. 

Are You OK with Supplementing?
This could be a deal-breaker for some parents. If your baby has only received breastmilk up until now, you may be a bit more hesitant to offer formula. Others may supplement from the beginning and are comfortable adding additional formula if it means less pumping. Having an open and honest conversation with your trusted pediatrician can help you decide what’s best for you and your baby. No matter what you choose, you love your baby and are doing the very best you can. 

How Do I Start Dropping a Pumping Session?
Gradual weaning from the pump is always best. Start with eliminating a pumping session by 3-5 minutes until eliminated. It can take about a week or more to drop the session completely, and even then, set the alarms and listen to your body. Hand express or pump for 5 min for relief if needed to avoid clogged ducts and engorgement. Pumping on a low vacuum (3-5) and slower expression cycle (38 with the S1/S2) can gently drain the breast, allowing an easier transition. Once a pumping session has been dropped, the remaining sessions can be spaced out more evenly. 

Need help dropping a pumping session? Our IBCLCs are experienced with pumping schedules, weaning from the breast pump and more. Schedule a complimentary consultation with us today. 

Sources: 

Bonyata, K. (2018, January 02). Exclusive Pumping • KellyMom.com. Retrieved September 21, 2021 , from https://kellymom.com/mother2mother/exclusive-pumping/ 

Bonyata, K. (2018, January 16). I’m not pumping enough milk. What can I do? • KellyMom.com. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/pumping_decrease/ 

Lawrence, R. A., & Lawrence, R. M. (2016). Breastfeeding: A guide for the medical profession. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier. 

Mohrbacher, N. (2012, November 27). How Much Milk Should You Expect to Pump? Retrieved September 21, 2021 from http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2012/11/27/how-much-milk-should-you-expect-to-pump.html 

 

A Guide to Pumping on Vacation

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Melissa Portunato MPH, IBCLC, RLC 

Are you ready to hit the road with your breast pump this summer? Planning ahead will eliminate unnecessary stress so you can enjoy the time away and make long-lasting memories. Read on for our practical and easy-to-follow guide to pumping while on vacation. 

Ring Before You Go
When booking a hotel, make sure you have a freezer you can use. Ideally, there will be one in your room. However, you may be able to use the hotel’s main freezer if there is no other option. If you’re struggling with hotels, opting for a private home or condo may be a great option.

Have a Good Flight
In case you were wondering…YES, you can absolutely pump on a plane! And your breast pump does NOT count as an additional carry-on. Find out more about the TSA guidelines on carrying a breast pump and breastmilk here. Don’t pump in the restroom! Most airports now provide private pumping pods where you can nurse or pump in a clean, quiet space. Download the app to plan ahead and find the nearest pod if you need to pump before boarding. 

Vacay Must-Haves! 

  • Rechargeable Breast Pump – A portable breast pump like the S1 or 9Plus will give you more flexibility when pumping on vacation. We recommend charging your Spectra rechargeable pump for 3-4 hours; leaving it to charge overnight can ultimately damage the battery.
  • Grab a Car Charger! Spectra has car chargers for both the Spectra 9 Plus (9 volt) and the Spectra S1/S2/SG (12 volt). In addition, if you’re traveling abroad, Spectra baby USA beast pump power cords are internationally compatible, which means all you need is the country converter, and you’re all set!
  • Cooler Kit – Keep your breast milk cool when a refrigerator is unavailable. Transport refrigerated/frozen milk by placing breastmilk in an insulated bag or cooler with a frozen cold pack. According to the CDC,  milk should be refrigerated or frozen within 24 hours. Instant ice packs are nice to have on hand!
  • Extra Parts – It’s recommended that you wash your pumping parts (except tubing) after every use in a designated basin with warm soapy water. The CDC recommends sanitizing parts once daily for extra germ removal. If you know you won’t have access to a sink, bring enough sets of pump parts to get through the day. Placing pumping parts in the refrigerator in between uses is not recommended.
  • Hand Pump – Every mom should have a hand pump as a backup. They are lightweight, convenient, and can be your lifeline in an emergency! Throw it in your pump bag and never get left without pumping if you run out of battery or can’t find an outlet.

Pump and Chill 
Go ahead and sleep in or enjoy a late-night dinner! It’s OK if you don’t pump at the same time every day! Skipping a pumping session or going over in-between times occasionally shouldn’t have a drastic effect on your supply. Pumping every 3-4 hours should be the goal, but you don’t have to be a stickler with exact times. Pump before you head out; always pump before bed and in the morning when you wake up. If you miss a pumping session, pump as soon as you can but most importantly, cherish the time away and the memories that will last a lifetime. 

Pumping Packing List 

✔ Pump Bag

✔ Power cord 

✔ Breast pump 

✔ Car adapter 

✔ Extra accessories – duckbills, backflows, flanges, bottles, caps, and disks

✔ Wet bag for used pump parts

✔ Milk Storage Bags

✔ Cooler kit with an ice pack

✔ Hand pump

✔ Nursing Cover

✔ Paper Towels or Napkins for spills

✔ Hand Sanitizer 

Have more questions before your epic vacation? Email us at IBCLC@spectrababyusa.com! 

We’re here for you, and we support you!