Do pacifiers ease babies' cravings for breastmilk?

Pacifiers may provide comfort to a baby by easing the baby’s need to suckle. However, they are artificial nipples and may lead to nipple confusion. The use of a pacifier may affect breastfeeding as different sucking techniques are involved. Therefore, switching between breast and pacifier will be confusing for a newborn still learning to breastfeed. If an infant starts to spend less time breastfeeding, the mother’s supply will be affected. That being said, for babies who are older, the pacifier could be offered to help calm the baby when the mother is unavailable. In all, practice care when using the pacifier to help reap the benefits while minimizing the potential effects it may have on breastfeeding.

A baby craves breastmilk when he is hungry. A pacifier eases his need to suckle (non-nutritive sucking). A pacifier DOES reduce the possibility of overfed babies on formula milk. As Hui Qun mentioned, the method used for sucking a pacifier is different from how a baby suckles at the breast. http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/general_help/article.php?id=79

thanks

Thanks for the enlightenment Hui!