Use of pacifiers and artificial nipples can interrupt or reduce the frequency of breastfeeding opportunities, interfering with establishment of the mother's milk supply. Use should be limited to infants in which the benefit of use outweighs the risk (such as with premature infants or infants undergoing painful procedures when breastfeeding cannot occur.)
According to the Academy of Pediatrics policy statement, Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, breastfeeding should be established (~3 to 4 weeks of age) before the introduction of a pacifier. Infants who are not being directly breastfed can begin pacifier use as soon as desired. Pacifier use at the onset of sleep has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant risk syndrome.
