My 1wk old gets very nervous

My newborn is one week old and he gets very nevous and goes crazy when we put a pacifier in his mouth and doesnt know what to do. His limbs start to go all over the place and it scares me that he might stop breathing because his breathing becomes irregular. Is that normal?

[mami1323]

He's probably confusing it with a breast or bottle and is expecting milk to come out of it and is frustrated when nothing comes out.  Don't give him the pacifier if he is uncomfortable with it.

[Tanker Chic]

by irregular breathing, do you mean panting?  My LO starts panting when he gets excited.  It is pretty common for them not to be into the pacifier initially.  Try again in a week or so.  He suck reflect with increase or the next couple of weeks and I have read it peaks at around 6wks.  

[peekawho]

Newborns cannot get "nervous" per se.

As others said, if he is not tolerating the pacifier, don't use it at this time.

My only extra observation is about your comment that his "limbs go all over the place and his breathing is irregular".   This could be anything from a normal Moro (startle) reflex, to something more serious.

If it persists, you should mention it to his doctor.  If you have a video recorder, you may want to consider videotaping it (if it continues and you are not sure whether it is normal or not).

You can google the terms "Moro Reflex" or startle reflex, and see if this fits what you are observing.

[AnnieBrooke]

A pacifier is not necessary for an infant, so if yours doesn't like it, you might forget it altogether, not just wait a while and try again.  My son's pediatrician said they are a mixed blessing, because for every time the baby will suck it and be contented, there is another time in the middle of the night when the baby loses it and cries and you have to get up and go find it.  

[Athena_M]

All pacifiers have differnt shapes, he might not like the shape and maybe it's the wrong size and he feels like he is choking.  I would say not to give him the pacifier, but talk to his doctor.