Maybe you’ve also heard that a child using a baby pacifier will get ugly teeth and have trouble learning to talk? (So now we feel both desperate and as bad parents at the same time…)
Well, studies show that these risks are way overstated.
Risks that DO exist are that the pacifier can interfere with the establishment of breastfeeding – if the pacifier is introduced too early, AND that the teeth can be affected if the pacifier is used by older children.
So, the recommendation is to wait at least a month with introducing the pacifier and wean your child from the pacifier at around 2 years of age.
While the risks of pacifier use seem limited, there are clear benefits of using a pacifier when babies are young, at least if used in a safe and hygienic way.
The most important benefit is that it seems to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Two other benefits are that mom doesn’t have to be the baby’s human pacifier and that it is easier to teach the baby to fall asleep on its own if he uses a dummy.
Last, as many babies suck on something anyway, a pacifier might be a good alternative because they can be thrown away. It might be much harder to help the baby (or toddler when the day comes) to break the habit of sucking his thumb.
Young babies need to suckle. Many babies have a strong urge to suckle especially during their first four months. After these first months, the need slowly decreases.
So, easy decision, go ahead and buy one. Put it in the baby’s mouth and… he spits it out?! Again and again..? Yes, many babies do refuse the pacifier!
Look below for a few tips on how to make your baby take the pacifier.
If you want to learn more about safe dummy usage (how to wash it, when to throw it away etc), you’ll find tips on using baby pacifiers in next page.
Post time: Mar-21-2023
