Do pacifiers reduce the duration of exclusive breastfeeding? Many of us have suspected this, but so far studies have not been definitive on the topic. The issue has been that women with breastfeeding problems are more likely to use a pacifier, making it difficult to blame pacifiers themselves for the breastfeeding problems. For example, a mother with sore nipples due to an unresolved infant tongue-tie may be more likely to use a pacifier than a mother who does not have sore nipples.
In the United States, we receive conflicting messages about breastfeeding and pacifiers. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative recommends no pacifiers after birth in order to prevent interruption of breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, recommends the use of pacifiers during sleep to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The authors of this meta-analysis reviewed all available studies that investigated the relationship between pacifier use and exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life.