| hi,
agreed that you should try to get your daughter to take a bottle as breastfeeding is hugely demanding and exhausting and you do need a break once in a while. Some people advocate trying to get baby to take a bottle as soon as possible, some people advocate waiting until they are at least about 1 month old (so they don't get nipple confusion) but before they are 3 months old (too accustomed to direct feeds). Also pick a time when your baby is not overly hungry (ie screaming for a feed and unlikely to be cooperative) or overly tired and maybe some place familiar eg. at home. Also helps if you don't give her the bottle initially but rather someone else like your husband or helper. If baby's not cooperating, give it a few days and try again. Once baby starts taking the bottle, give it regularly eg. once a day or once every other day (depending on how often you plan to give baby the bottle).
As for pacifiers, it's a very personal decision - there is no "should" rule to it at all, worth exploring all the pros and cons before you embark your baby down that route. We never gave our son a pacifier in his early months and we noticed by about 2 months old, he would suck his thumb (for a very short period) when he was very distressed or tired or trying to put himself to sleep, hence learning how to self-soothe. Personally I think you learn to "read" your baby better (and anticipate their needs) without using a pacifier, although it can be heaps more stressful! Again, it's a personal decision and there is no right or wrong.
Best of luck!
Sumei  |