As an added nutritional perk, sucking increases the production of saliva, which acts as a digestive aid. Yet, like all parenting props, binkies should be used, not abused. Pacifiers may interfere with breastfeeding. I particularly discourage pacifier use in the early weeks or months of breastfeeding for several reasons. In the first couple weeks, mother and Baby are learning how to get Baby to suck efficiently on mother's breast to obtain the most milk with the least discomfort to mother's nipples.
Babies suck on pacifiers differently than on mothers' nipples.
Because a pacifier has a narrow base, Baby doesn't have to open his mouth wide to suck on it. But in order for babies to latch onto the breast properly, they must learn to open their mouths wide and position their lips over mother's areola. Another concern for the beginning breastfeeder is that pacifiers may keep babies from nursing frequently enough to gain adequate weight. And a study reported in the medical journal Pediatrics in 1999 showed that babies who were given pacifiers during the first six weeks after birth tended to be weaned earlier. Pacifiers may also interfere with nurturing.