What is nipple confusion and will giving the soother to a baby affect breastfeeding?

Modified on Mon, 21 Nov, 2022 at 4:42 PM

Nipple confusion may happen when a baby has learned how to suck on a soother or bottle, and then struggles to adjust to sucking from a breast. Sucking on a soother or bottle will feel different from sucking that’s needed to breastfeed.

Soother use is often recommended once breastfeeding has been established. There are situations when soothers are used before breastfeeding has become fully established, for example in premature babies or as a general comforter for babies whilst receiving procedures or on ventilators.

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