Mommies find it so easy to soothe a squalling child with a pacifier. As the name suggests, a pacifier does pacify your child when he is crying or uncomfortable. While it may sound like a magic tool to calm your baby down, there are facts and myths surrounding the use of pacifiers. So, let’s get the facts straight:
1. Pacifiers May Lower The Risk Of SIDS
Yes, it’s true that a pacifier can potentially save your baby’s life. Studies show that the intermittent movement of your baby’s mouth as he suckles on a pacifier can keep him in a lighter sleep state, reducing the risk of stopping breathing and keeping the airway open. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a pacifier while putting your baby to sleep at night until your child is one year old. However, it’s important not to force your baby to use a pacifier if he doesn’t want to. It’s recommended to wait until your baby is at least one month old or until breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a pacifier.
2. Pacifiers Don’t Cause Dental Problems If Weaned Off Before Two Years
Contrary to popular belief, using a pacifier in the first two years of your child’s life is unlikely to cause dental problems. This is because your child’s mouth is malleable during this time and can rectify any changes that a pacifier might bring about. However, in toddlerhood, prolonged pacifier use could lead to a condition called malocclusion, which is the misalignment of teeth, such as an open bite in the front or a cross bite in the back. It’s not only the age at which your child uses a pacifier that matters, but also how aggressively they suckle on it. Babies who suck pacifiers gently apply less pressure on their front teeth, but those who suck vigorously may have problems with their bite around 18 months. Kids may be at risk of maxillary constriction, which is characterized by crooked, protruding, or crowded teeth. If you do use a pacifier, consider using an orthodontic pacifier, and make sure your child weans off it by the time he turns two.
3. Pacifiers May Cause Ear Infections
Babies who use pacifiers are more prone to ear infections than those who wean off them at six months. This may be due to the pressure changes in the ears that occur due to constant suckling. The pressure changes may prevent the fluid from properly draining through the canal that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat, leading to infections. However, there hasn’t been ample evidence to support this theory. But if your baby suffers from recurrent ear infections, pacifiers have been considered as a possible cause.
4. You Can Use A Pacifier Even If Your Newborn Is Breastfed
Many mothers may have concerns about nipple confusion, which is why they may avoid using pacifiers. However, the AAP suggests that pacifiers can be introduced when your baby is one month old and breastfeeding has been well-established. Moreover, babies have a natural need to suckle, even if they have been well-fed. So using a pacifier may not harm your baby as long as you are not keeping your baby hungry.
5. Keeping The Pacifier Hygienic
Your baby’s pacifier may harbor fungi and bacteria on the nipple when seen under a microscope. It is recommended that you always wash the pacifiers with hot and soapy water on a regular basis. Store the clean and dry pacifiers in zip-lock bags for extra protection against germs. Also, remember to replace pacifiers that are cracked, damaged, or worn out, as they may pose a choking hazard or increase the risk of bacterial growth.
6. Limit Pacifier Use During Sleep
While pacifiers may be helpful in reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when used during sleep, it’s important to remember that pacifiers should not be reinserted if they fall out during your baby’s sleep. If your baby is reliant on the pacifier to fall asleep, he may wake up and cry for it to be put back in. To avoid this, try to wean your baby off the pacifier during sleep gradually, so that he can learn to self-soothe without it.
7. Be Mindful Of Overusing Pacifiers
Using a pacifier to calm a fussy baby is understandable, but it’s important to be mindful of overusing pacifiers. Over-reliance on pacifiers can interfere with your baby’s ability to self-soothe, learn to communicate, and develop healthy sleep patterns. It’s recommended to use pacifiers as a temporary soothing tool and gradually wean your baby off them as they get older, usually by the time they are one to two years old.
In conclusion, pacifiers can be a helpful tool for soothing a fussy baby and reducing the risk of SIDS when used correctly. However, it’s important to remember to introduce pacifiers at the right time, maintain proper hygiene, limit pacifier use during sleep, and be mindful of overusing them. Always consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns or questions about pacifier use for your baby.
