The Benefits of Using day and night pacifier

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Pacifiers: Are they good for your baby?

The decision to use a pacifier &#; or not &#; is up to you. Consider the do's and don'ts of giving your baby a pacifier, and how to help him or her break the habit.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Most babies have a strong sucking reflex. Some babies even suck their thumbs or fingers before they're born. Beyond helping with nutrition, sucking often has a soothing effect. Are pacifiers really OK for your baby, though? Understand the benefits and risks of pacifier use, safety tips, and steps to wean your baby from the pacifier.

The pros

For some babies, pacifiers are the key to contentment between feedings. Consider the advantages:

• A pacifier might soothe a fussy baby. Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something.
• A pacifier offers temporary distraction. A pacifier might come in handy during and after shots, blood tests or other procedures.
• A pacifier might help your baby fall asleep. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick.
• A pacifier might ease discomfort during flights. Babies can't intentionally "pop" their ears by swallowing or yawning to relieve ear pain caused by air pressure changes. Sucking on a pacifier might help.
• A pacifier might help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sucking on a pacifier at nap time and bedtime might reduce the risk of SIDS.
• Pacifiers are disposable. When it's time to stop using pacifiers, you can throw them away. If your child prefers to suck on his or her thumb or fingers, it might be more difficult to break the habit.

The cons

Of course, pacifiers have pitfalls as well. Consider the drawbacks:

• Your baby might become dependent on the pacifier. If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you might face middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth.
• Pacifier use might increase the risk of middle ear infections. However, rates of middle ear infections are generally lowest from birth to age 6 months &#; when the risk of SIDS is the highest and your baby might be most interested in a pacifier.
• Prolonged pacifier use might lead to dental problems. Normal pacifier use during the first few years of life generally doesn't cause long-term dental problems. However, prolonged pacifier use might cause a child's teeth to be misaligned.
• Pacifier use might disrupt breast-feeding. If you're breast-feeding, you might wait to offer a pacifier until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and you've settled into a nursing routine. However, a review of unrestricted pacifier use in healthy, full-term infants found that it had no impact on the continuation of breast-feeding.

Pacifier do's and don'ts

If you choose to offer your baby a pacifier, keep these tips in mind:

• Don't use a pacifier as a first line of defense. Sometimes a change of position or a rocking session can calm a crying baby. Offer a pacifier to your baby only after or between feedings.
• Choose a one-piece, dishwasher-safe variety. Pacifiers made of two pieces pose a choking hazard if they break.
• Let your baby set the pace. If your baby's not interested in the pacifier, don't force it.
• Keep it clean. Until your baby is 6 months old and his or her immune system matures, frequently boil pacifiers or run them through the dishwasher. After age 6 months, simply wash pacifiers with soap and water. Resist the temptation to "rinse" the pacifier in your own mouth. You'll only spread more germs to your baby.
• Don't sugarcoat it. Don't put sweet substances on the pacifier.
• Keep it safe. Replace pacifiers often and use the appropriate size for your baby's age. Watch for signs of deterioration. Also use caution with pacifier clips. Never attach a pacifier to a string or strap long enough to get caught around your baby's neck.

Pulling the plug

The risks of pacifier use begin to outweigh the benefits as your baby gets older. While most kids stop using pacifiers on their own between ages 2 and 4, others need help breaking the habit. Use praise when your child chooses not to use the pacifier. If your child has difficulty giving up the pacifier, consider asking your child's doctor or dentist for help.

 

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2. Moon RY, et al. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Evidence base for updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. ; doi:10./peds.-.
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4. Jaafar SH, et al. Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. ; doi:10./.CD.pub4.
5. Nowak AJ, et al. Oral habits and orofacial development in children. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 18, .
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See more In-depth

Pacifier, Binky, Nuk, Soother, Dummy. I love pacifiers&#;.yes, even for newborns, sleeping babies, and breastfed babies! I get so many questions from parents about newborns sleeping with a pacifier. Let's talk about why I love pacifiers, how to introduce the pacifier, and what to do if the pacifier keeps falling out of your baby's mouth.

Should my baby use a pacifier?

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My answer will always be &#;It&#;s up to you and your little one!&#; There truly is no &#;right or wrong&#; approach when it comes to pacifiers. Some babies never take a pacifier, and that&#;s okay! However, for many babies, pacifiers are helpful tools for comfort and relaxation. Here are the two main reasons I recommend offering a pacifier for newborn sleep.

1. A pacifier allows for non-nutritive sucking.

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Obviously, if a baby is hungry, you need to feed him. However, sometimes newborns have a drive to suck even after they&#;ve finished eating. This is called non-nutritive sucking, which simply means sucking without gaining nutrition or calories.

Non-nutritive sucking has several benefits for your newborn:

• Releases endorphins in the brain

• Promotes relaxation

• Provides comfort and security

• Becomes a helpful tool to encourage sleep

2. SIDS Prevention

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports a significantly reduced risk of SIDS with pacifier use, particularly when given to newborns for sleep. This is one of the reasons that I do love newborns sleeping with a pacifier. In a study published by the AAP(1), researchers &#;recommend that pacifiers be offered to infants as a potential method to reduce the risk of SIDS. The pacifier should be offered to the infant when being placed for all sleep episodes, including daytime naps and nighttime sleep.&#; 

Are pacifiers ok for breastfed babies?

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If you&#;re concerned about the potential of nipple confusion with pacifier use, I have good news for you! Research(2) shows us that nursing moms who introduce a pacifier are JUST as successful with nursing as those who don&#;t. True scientific research dispels the myth of nipple confusion and shows that limiting pacifiers does not increase nursing success. In studies(3), limiting pacifier use actually resulted in decreased rates of exclusive breastfeeding. In summary, yes! Pacifiers are great for breastfed babies.

What is the best pacifier for newborns?

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Different babies prefer different pacifiers. Some newborns prefer a flat nipple, others prefer more oval, and some prefer round. There are so many varieties to try. When you&#;re shopping for a pacifier for your newborn, just be sure to choose the correct size. We don&#;t want the pacifier to be too big for your newborn&#;s mouth. I have a collection of my favorite pacifiers for you.

How do I introduce a pacifier?

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Step 1: Offer when the baby is calm, not hungry or tired, and swaddled.

Step 2: Apply pressure in the middle of the baby&#;s tongue.

Step 3: Move the pacifier in circles around his mouth.

Step 4: If your baby becomes frustrated, stop and try again later.

Keep trying each day for a week&#;if your baby won&#;t take it, that&#;s FINE! It&#;s okay to move on.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of day and night pacifier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.