If your baby is due for a vaccination or for blood to be drawn, a pacifier is great way to reduce the pain and keep … A pacifier might soothe a fussy baby. “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. Lennox has “pacifier teeth.” Pacifier teeth is a consequence from prolonged use of the pacifier. The decision to use a pacifier — or not — is up to you. • Eases air travel. A study of almost 500 children in Finland has connected pacifier use to ear infections. Find out the biggest benefits and drawbacks. What are the Pros of Using a Pacifier? Oral habits and orofacial development in children. • Distracts from stressful stimuli. Pacifiers often are a form of security or comfort. On the positive side, pacifiers provide a source of comfort to infants. If your baby uses it for too long, it can become a tough habit to crack and could impact dental development. Pacifier pros. It's believed that pacifiers can lead to the development of Otitis Media or middle ear infection. Pick pacifiers that have ventilation holes—they let air circulate, reducing the chance of a messy red rash developing around baby’s mouth. Cavity-causing bacteria can pass from saliva in a parent or caregiver’s mouth to the baby. When should baby stop using a pacifier? Butler R, et al. Potential Problems with Breastfeeding If given a pacifier too early in life, it can potentially cause nipple confusion and issues with your baby’s latch while breastfeeding. It has been established that many babies latch on to their thumbs or the fingers prior to birth. 7th ed. In this case, pacifier use offers emotional support for both mom and baby. “The sucking motion of the jaw provides a shift in the middle ear, where the baby can feel pressure when the plane is going up or descending,” Swanson says of pacifier use while in the air. Pros and cons of pacifiers The pros and cons of pacifier use are nearly even. One the other hand, these most common concerns about pacifier use may make you rethink that binky: • Dental problems. The use of a pacifier has been shown to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 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. • Too much dependence. “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. Pacifier use, finger sucking, and infant sleep. 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. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. “Some babies can go back and forth between breast and artificial nipples, while others are more sensitive.” They may struggle with “nipple confusion,” the somewhat controversial idea that baby may become accustomed to—and come to prefer—the feeling and texture of a synthetic nipple, and might not want to feed at the breast. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for pacifier recalls on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, CPSC.gov. “Baby will cry for a little while, but after a couple of days, he’ll adjust and figure out another way to self-soothe,” Swanson says. Pediatrics. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Accessed Sept. 18, 2020. The Cons 1. Fortunately, figuring out what baby wants will be fairly intuitive. Minimizing infant crying is especially important to vulnerable mothers who are easily agitated. (Of course, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding work just as well.). A pacifier might help your baby fall asleep. A pacifier offers temporary distraction. The Emotional Impact of Pacifiers. 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. Behavioral Sleep Medicine. “When the palate is stimulated [during sucking], it relaxes the baby,” O’Connor says. 3. Here are the pros and cons of allowing babies to use pacifiers. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick. “It’s been documented that offering a pacifier can provide pain relief,” Brauning says. Start now PRO: Pacifiers Give Parents The Chance To Do Other Things. Most babies have a strong sucking reflex. Baby pacifiers: Pros and cons. Pros. Message boards are filled with desperate parents trying to find pacifier weaning solutions that don’t end in hysterics. 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. By six to eight weeks, feedings start to follow a reliable routine, so you can tell if baby is hungry or just fussy. via The Bump. Only give it if he or she is interested in it. But, let’s be honest, you can only feed baby so much before soreness and exhaustion kick in, or baby is full. Using a pacifier comes with both benefits and downsides, according to the Academy of General Denistry (AGD). Consider the advantages: 1. Consider the do's and don'ts of giving your baby a pacifier, and how to help him or her break the habit. A pacifier might come in handy during and after shots, blood tests or other procedures. Easy to find the pacifier when needed; Easier for kids to put in their mouth by themselves If that happens, consider yourself one very lucky mom! This helps to ensure that infants get the nutrition that they need to grow healthy and strong. All rights reserved. Pacifiers help babies (and their parents) get through periods of crankiness, crying, and pain. • Encourages breastfeeding in mothers with PPD. 2. “Even in best-case scenarios, early breastfeeding is really hard for the first couple of weeks,” Brauning says. 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. Ideally, for dental development, you want to try to say bye-bye to binky permanently by your child’s second birthday. Sucking a pacifier while sleeping may lower your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Newborns are born with a basic suckingreflex, which is activated when something touches the roof of their mouth. One compromise: Limit pacifier use to naps and bedtime, rather than allowing baby to suck on it all day. If you are unsure of whether or not to introduce the pacifier to your child, speak to your child’s pediatrician about the pros and cons and any concerns you may have. Pacifiers can be a lifesaver. 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. Thumb sucking, finger sucking and pacifier use. The Pros and Cons of Pacifier Use • Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Using a pacifier comes with both benefits and downsides. (Need help finding the perfect pacifier? Soothes your baby during painful procedures. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Check out our favorites.). From a positive perspective, we know that pacifiers can help to soothe an inconsolable baby and help baby fall asleep faster, and they are an easier habit to break than thumbsucking. 2016; doi:10.1080/15402002.2015.1048451. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. The shape of a pacifier is different than the shape of the nipple. 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. Some research says they can help when it comes to preventing SIDS, as you use it during nap or bedtime. Here are some of the biggest ‘pros’ for pacifier use. “Newborn babies cry a lot, and if you find something that’s soothing to them, that’s really nice,” says Genevieve Brauning, MD, a family medicine doctor with Novant Health South Park Family Physicians in Charlotte, North Carolina. And a great help to mom and dad. Our general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Pro #1 | Babies Want to Suck Babies have a natural sucking reflex when something touches the roof of their mouth. The only question left … As baby learns to self-soothe, Mom gets a little extra time between feedings, making things less stressful. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. • Potential weight gain. Pacifier Usage – The Basics, The Pros, and The Cons It is a known fact that babies have a relatively strong reflex when it comes to sucking. Giving a pacifier to a baby can be very helpful and useful those first few days, weeks and months. The pros and cons of pacifiers; The pros and cons of pacifiers. However, dental experts warn that once a child reaches preschool years, a pacifier can hinder the development of healthy teeth 1. The advantages stop once your baby is a few months old. Pacifiers can also assist in reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to the Academy of General Dentistry. But first, if you are deciding whether to take the plunge to pacify, consider three things: your baby will get addicted he will not kick the habit willingly When to introduce the pacifier “From a practical point of view, a pacifier is on the short list of things that can give everyone peace and quiet.” But before you register for a dozen binkies, learn about the pros and cons of pacifier use to determine if it’s right for your baby. It’s impossible to discuss the pros and cons of pacifier use without considering the emotional impact of pacifiers. 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 Here are some pacifier pros and cons to take into consideration: Pros of pacifiers: A pacifier could save your baby's life. • Know when to quit. Don’t force the pacifier on your baby. For fussy babies, a pacifier can calm and soothe. When the parent or caregiver cleans a pacifier in his/her mouth before giving it back to the baby, the bacteria can be easily passed. “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. Download The Appto explore more tools like Planner+ and Food Safety. An infant’s penchant for sucking is often satisfied at the breast or with a bottle. Pacifiers come in every color you can think of. As you consider your options, check out what the research has to say about the pros and cons of pacifier use, and know that we’re here to support your decision and your child’s best oral health at every age. Research has linked their use to a decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For some babies, pacifiers are the key to contentment between feedings. Some babies don’t have a high suck demand and simply have no interest in pacifier use. Additionally, pacifiers dipped in sugar, honey, juice or sweetened drinks, can lead to tooth decay. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Pros Comfort. Pacifier, also called soother or teether, is a small, nipple-shaped accessory that is put in the baby’s mouth to soothe him. If your child has difficulty giving up the pacifier, consider asking your child's doctor or dentist for help. The Pros and Cons of Using a Pacifier Babies are born with a strong suck reflex. Aside from soothing baby and reducing crying, here are a few more reasons why pacifier use is so popular with parents: • Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Head here to read about pacifier weaning techniques. 460x345_hw_pacifier.png. • Helps preemies thrive. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Evidence base for 2016 updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. She recommends choosing a pacifier that’s made of one solid piece, so it can’t break apart in baby’s mouth. Some babies suck their thumb or fingers. Are pacifiers really OK for your baby, though? In this article: Moon RY, et al. 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. 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. Not all are pros, there are cons that are usually mentioned when we talk about the use of the pacifier: For years it has been argued that the pacifier interferes with breastfeeding, reducing the duration or exclusivity of it. Pacifier Pros Some of the good things pacifiers can do for your baby -- and you -- include: Lower risk of SIDS. 2016; doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2940. On the positive side, pacifiers provide a source of comfort to infants. 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. One thing all babies can agree on is that sucking on something is awesome—in fact, newborns use this primary reflex as one of the best ways to find comfort. Pacifier use actually allows baby to suck more rapidly—two sucks per second, compared to one suck per second while feeding—and satisfies the need that much faster. 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