Sometimes babies decide they’re done with pacifiers and just stop pacifier use on their own. Consider the advantages: Of course, pacifiers have pitfalls as well. The Pros and Cons of Pacifier Use • Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Here are some pacifier pros and cons to take into consideration: Pros of pacifiers: A pacifier could save your baby's life. Butler R, et al. The jaw and the gum tissue are very malleable, and constantly keeping a pacifier behind the front teeth after age 2, but especially after 4, can create dental problems like an overbite or cross bite, Swanson says. 7th ed. Not surprisingly, between 60 and 85 percent of infants are using pacifiers, according to studies. As baby learns to self-soothe, Mom gets a little extra time between feedings, making things less stressful. One theory as to why is that sucking on a pacifier might help open up air space around a baby's mouth and nose, which ensures she gets enough oxygen. The study showed possible improvement in digestion when babies less than 32 weeks’ gestation sucked on a pacifier during gavage feedings (when nutrients are delivered to the stomach via a small tube up the nose). A pacifier might help your baby fall asleep. And while there’s little evidence that baby pacifiers lead to speech delays, it can be hard—to say the least—to figure out what a toddler is saying when he’s trying to talk with a piece of plastic in his mouth. It’s impossible to discuss the pros and cons of pacifier use without considering the emotional impact of pacifiers. Offering both before nursing is well-established can confuse a very sensitive baby and interfere with the baby’s nursing. A new Childhood Obesity study showed that infants who used a pacifier past 4 months were about 10 percent more likely to be overweight by age one and 20 percent more likely to be overweight by age 2, compared to infants who didn’t use one. “But they might still take a pacifier if they need comfort.”. Cavity-causing bacteria can pass from saliva in a parent or caregiver’s mouth to the baby. 2016; doi:10.1080/15402002.2015.1048451. And a great help to mom and dad. Here are some of the biggest ‘pros’ for pacifier use. How to get baby to take a pacifier Pacifier Pros and Cons . While the researchers couldn’t settle on one specific explanation behind the correlation, reduced feedings and baby’s control during nursing were some of the potential factors. The Pros and Cons of Using a Pacifier Babies are born with a strong suck reflex. Pacifiers come in a variety of sizes recommended for different ages. Are pacifiers really OK for your baby, though? This content does not have an Arabic version. Use praise when your child chooses not to use the pacifier. A pacifier is a rubbery nipple, usually made from silicone or latex, designed to satisfy baby’s sucking impulse. For an easier transition, experts recommend starting to wean by one year, or even earlier—by 6 months, baby should be sleeping through the night, Swanson says, and since she’s too young to argue with you, you can easily go cold turkey. Uncircumcised penis: Is special care needed? A study of almost 500 children in Finland has connected pacifier use to ear infections. However, never attach one to her neck or crib with a strap, which can be a choking hazard. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Pick pacifiers that have ventilation holes—they let air circulate, reducing the chance of a messy red rash developing around baby’s mouth. It has been established that many babies latch on to their thumbs or the fingers prior to birth. The theory is that when baby sucks or swallows, there’s a change in pressure behind the ear, which may shift fluids into the middle ear and cause an infection, Brauning says. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5. A new study in the Journal of Human Lactation showed that mothers at high risk for postpartum depression did better with breastfeeding if their baby used a pacifier. A pacifier should be at least 1.5 inches in width to avoid choking, and never tie a pacifier … Pacifier use during unpleasant situations—like a vaccination, a painful procedure or a run-of-the mill bump—can help make baby less upset. A pacifier offers temporary distraction. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Honey, in particular, is very dangerous to babies under one year, as it can cause infant botulism and even death. Pacifiers can also assist in reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to the AGD. • Too much dependence. Nowak AJ, et al. The Emotional Impact of Pacifiers. • Distracts from stressful stimuli. They are ideal for those times when the baby is either not hungry or too full to eat—but still needs the comfort that sucking provides. What are the Pros of Using a Pacifier? Most babies have a strong sucking reflex. Download The Appto explore more tools like Planner+ and Food Safety. Pacifiers can calm a baby when a mom is unable to breastfeed; They are an important tool for calming babies in the NICU; Can help improve baby’s who are having difficulty sucking properly ; Sucking on a pacifier can provide pain relief to a baby The Cons 1. Why the potential weight gain? RELATED: The Pros & Cons Of Adopting A Newborn Baby. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Some babies even suck their thumbs or fingers before they're born. The pros and cons of pacifiers; The pros and cons of pacifiers. Oral habits and orofacial development in children. “The way a baby sucks on a breast is different from the way he sucks on an artificial nipple,” says Leigh Anne O’Connor, an international board certified lactation consultant and La Leche League leader in New York City. One the other hand, these most common concerns about pacifier use may make you rethink that binky: • Dental problems. “It reduces how a baby senses pain and makes him more comfortable.” The one thing you don’t want to do is coat the pacifier with something sweet or sticky, which can cause cavities later on. Pacifiers are associated with a lower risk of SIDS. So what’s the best course of action? Researchers have found that pacifier use among preterm babies results in shorter hospital stays and better bottle-feeding. Use the appropriate size pacifier for your child. Pediatrics. Minimizing infant crying is especially important to vulnerable mothers who are easily agitated. Check out our favorites.). “It’s been documented that offering a pacifier can provide pain relief,” Brauning says. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding. Read on to learn the pros and cons of pacifiers and how to determine what’s right for you and your child. Learn pacifier pros and cons. Pacifier Cons A pacifier can cause nipple confusion in the early days after birth. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for pacifier recalls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, CPSC.gov. Beyond helping with nutrition, sucking often has a soothing effect. 5 The Cons – Your Baby May Suffer From Ear Infections Yes, the utilization of pacifiers comes with its downsides too. Long-term pacifier use can affect the shape of the teeth and mouth, especially if baby continues to use it well into the toddler years. “You don’t want a newborn using a toddler-size pacifier, which can be overwhelming in his mouth, or a toddler using an infant pacifier, which will sit directly behind his teeth, pushing them outward and possibly leading to an overbite,” says Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, pediatrician and Chief of Digital Innovation at Seattle Children’s hospital. Figuring out whether they’re hungry or just want to suck on something isn’t so much a philosophical question for infants as much as it is an observation on parents’ part. The only question left … Baby pacifiers: Pros and cons. If baby is bottle-fed from the start, you can give him the pacifier right away, since the nipple on the bottle is so similar. In addition to bringing comfort and helping control their emotions, pacifiers can make a baby feel secure. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Consider the drawbacks: If you choose to offer your baby a pacifier, keep these tips in mind: The risks of pacifier use begin to outweigh the benefits as your baby gets older. Weaning solutions that don ’ t force the pacifier on your baby is a few old! Use, finger sucking, and pain “ even in best-case scenarios, early breastfeeding is hard. Hunger and soothing cues, infants may feed hourly most kids stop using pacifiers their! Use may make you rethink that binky: • dental problems can become a tough to. 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