Pacifiers satiate the urge to suck and thus keep the baby quiet. Find out if it is safe to give pacifiers to a baby. Sucking is a natural reflex for a baby. Some babies have such a strong sucking tendency that they suck their thumbs or fingers even when they are inside the womb. Sucking has a comforting and calming effect on the baby and thus many parents and experts opine that there is no harm in giving pacifiers to babies.Consider the views of dentists, paediatricians and therapists on what are the conditions when pacifiers are considered safe and when it should be avoided. Some parents feel that a pacifier will keep the baby quiet and give you some time for yourself to relax. However, this should not be the sole reason for handing a pacifier to the infant. In this articleTo Satiate the Sucking ReflexPacify ThemselvesProtects Against SIDSHelps the WeaningCan Lead to Ear InfectionMay Lead to Nipple ConfusionConfusion between Need for Nutritional SuckingDental Problems and Delayed SpeechWhy to Use Pacifiers? Here are few factors that endorse the use of pacifiers. To Satiate the Sucking Reflex When the baby is on breastfeeding or using the bottle, he will have this urge to suck. Some babies may continue this urge even beyond the usual period. Pacifiers can help them cope with this urge. Pacify Themselves Infants have this urge to soothe and calm themselves. Sucking is a follow-through of this tendency. This can be of great benefit if the baby is a colic one or having a perpetual crying problem. Protects Against SIDS This is a reference to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Some paediatrics from the American Academy are of the opinion that allowing the baby to fall asleep with a pacifier in their mouth can effectively prevent SIDS. However, you must be careful to remove the pacifier once he falls asleep. Helps the Weaning It has been opined by many parents and doctors that when you are planning to wean the infant, it becomes much easier when you are using a pacifier. The pacifier is a better option compared to his little thumb. Disadvantages of Giving Pacifiers Now you can take a look at the factors that should dissuade you from using a pacifier. Can Lead to Ear Infection It has been noted that the use of pacifiers can lead to acute Otitis media, a common ear infection in babies. Although there is no definite explanation for the link between the use of pacifiers and the disease, but it is believed that the difference in pressure brought about in the upper throat and the middle ear region due to the sucking action can cause this problem. May Lead to Nipple Confusion If the pacifier is introduced much before time, there is a probability that the baby becomes confused between your nipple and the pacifier, especially when the baby is just learning to nurse. So it is recommended that if you want to give a pacifier, let it be only after the infant is at least a month old. Confusion between Need for Nutritional Sucking Babies can desire nutritional based sucking that can be obtained only from the breast or the bottle, and sometimes it may simply have the urge to suck. Parents may well make this mistake of giving the pacifier when the baby is not in need to just suck, but desire the breast or bottle. Dental Problems and Delayed Speech Some babies are very active suckers, so when you hand him a pacifier, it is observed that it might result in a deformed alignment of teeth and gums and even result in delayed speech. Then again if the baby is holding pacifier in his mouth for long, when he is learning to talk, the speed of talking or the desire to talk may be reduced.The decision on when and why you would give a pacifier to your baby depends on the natural tendency and requirement of the baby. Always ensure that you are not using it for your benefit, neither should you misjudge on what is the actual requirement of the infant. Next, buy a pacifier that is recommended for the exact age of your baby.
Pacifiers satiate the urge to suck and thus keep the baby quiet. Find out if it is safe to give pacifiers to a baby. Sucking is a natural reflex for a baby. Some babies have such a strong sucking tendency that they suck their thumbs or fingers even when they are inside the womb. Sucking has a comforting and calming effect on the baby and thus many parents and experts opine that there is no harm in giving pacifiers to babies.
Consider the views of dentists, paediatricians and therapists on what are the conditions when pacifiers are considered safe and when it should be avoided. Some parents feel that a pacifier will keep the baby quiet and give you some time for yourself to relax. However, this should not be the sole reason for handing a pacifier to the infant.
Why to Use Pacifiers?
Here are few factors that endorse the use of pacifiers.
To Satiate the Sucking Reflex
When the baby is on breastfeeding or using the bottle, he will have this urge to suck. Some babies may continue this urge even beyond the usual period. Pacifiers can help them cope with this urge.
Pacify Themselves
Infants have this urge to soothe and calm themselves. Sucking is a follow-through of this tendency. This can be of great benefit if the baby is a colic one or having a perpetual crying problem.
Protects Against SIDS
This is a reference to the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Some paediatrics from the American Academy are of the opinion that allowing the baby to fall asleep with a pacifier in their mouth can effectively prevent SIDS. However, you must be careful to remove the pacifier once he falls asleep.
Helps the Weaning
It has been opined by many parents and doctors that when you are planning to wean the infant, it becomes much easier when you are using a pacifier. The pacifier is a better option compared to his little thumb.
Disadvantages of Giving Pacifiers
Now you can take a look at the factors that should dissuade you from using a pacifier.
Can Lead to Ear Infection
It has been noted that the use of pacifiers can lead to acute Otitis media, a common ear infection in babies. Although there is no definite explanation for the link between the use of pacifiers and the disease, but it is believed that the difference in pressure brought about in the upper throat and the middle ear region due to the sucking action can cause this problem.
May Lead to Nipple Confusion
If the pacifier is introduced much before time, there is a probability that the baby becomes confused between your nipple and the pacifier, especially when the baby is just learning to nurse. So it is recommended that if you want to give a pacifier, let it be only after the infant is at least a month old.
Confusion between Need for Nutritional Sucking
Babies can desire nutritional based sucking that can be obtained only from the breast or the bottle, and sometimes it may simply have the urge to suck. Parents may well make this mistake of giving the pacifier when the baby is not in need to just suck, but desire the breast or bottle.
Dental Problems and Delayed Speech
Some babies are very active suckers, so when you hand him a pacifier, it is observed that it might result in a deformed alignment of teeth and gums and even result in delayed speech. Then again if the baby is holding pacifier in his mouth for long, when he is learning to talk, the speed of talking or the desire to talk may be reduced.
The decision on when and why you would give a pacifier to your baby depends on the natural tendency and requirement of the baby. Always ensure that you are not using it for your benefit, neither should you misjudge on what is the actual requirement of the infant. Next, buy a pacifier that is recommended for the exact age of your baby.
