A friend mentioned that the Soothie brand of pacifier is being passed off as a pacifier that is less likely to cause nipple confusion. That claim is just as big a load of crap as the lines that formula companies feed people about their formula being the closest yet to breastmilk. So I was curious about these supposed breastlike pacifiers that I decided to check out their Web site. When I visited the Soothie Pacifier Web site, I found out that they are the pacifier given out in 2000 hospitals.
Can someone give me a list so that I can create my own list of Baby Unfriendly Hospitals to compare with the list of Baby Friendly Hospitals?
It is ridiculous that hospitals give out pacifiers. It is one of the best ways to create nipple confusion and undemine the breastfeeding relationship. Sure, some parents decide to use them and we have used them for our kids too (if I could find a way to allow my baby to latch onto my breast while I’m driving the car, maybe I could have avoided them), but anyone that plans to breastfeed should avoid them completely for at least the first few weeks.
The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes restricts the promotion of formula and pacifiers (among other related products), including free samples, to pregnant women and mothers, as does the Baby Friendly Initiative.
So what should hospitals be giving out? If they are going to give freebies to mothers, perhaps quality breastfeeding advice would be useful. Maybe a tube of Lanisoh. Perhaps some nursing pads. Most importantly, a good dose of confidence that you don’t need formula “just in case” and that it is good to soothe your baby at your breast.
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Amen, sister!!!