What to Do If Your Baby Only Sucks on a Pacifier and Won’t Nurse?

Question

My newborn is 53 days old and recently prefers to suck on a pacifier instead of nursing. What should I do?

Answer

1. The baby might be going through a physiological aversion to feeding. Try creating a quiet feeding environment, allowing the baby to nurse undisturbed, avoiding sounds and visual disturbances. At this stage, babies are curious about the outside world and can easily be distracted. Be patient, as the situation will gradually improve.
2. The baby’s crying when seeing people may be due to a lack of security and some anxiety. Even at a young age, babies know how to communicate with adults, and crying is their way of signaling for attention and comfort.