Pacifier, paci, nuk nuk, binky, and chupon - the many names for the tiniest thing that is like mommy magic. It's easy, quick, and turns on the comfort and off the tears. But there are is a lot to think about before giving your baby one. Here's everything that you need to know about the pacifier.
Pros of the Pacifier
- Protection against SIDS. Pacifier usage has actually been shown to help reduce the risk of SIDS because it opens air space around your baby's mouth and nose ensuring they get enough oxygen, and recommended for children to sleep with up until the age of 1. However, if it falls out of the baby's mouth as they sleep, it is not recommended to replace it.
- Helps babies with self-soothing and satisfies their suck reflex. Probably the biggest reason for the pacifier is to have babies to learn how to soothe themselves. They can help your baby get to sleep a lot faster and learn how to fall asleep on their own. As well, most babies have this innate need to suck that goes beyond what they get with the time spent on the breast or bottle.
- It is in your control. Having a tangible item such as the pacifier, rather than a thumb, is in the long run a lot easier to take away. You have the ability to decide when it is time for your baby to get or give up the pacifier.
Cons of the Pacifier
- Risk of nipple confusion with a breastfed baby. If introduced too early, the baby may have a hard time continuing breastfeeding. If you have any concerns with it, you can contact your Pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
- May change teeth alignment or delay speech. If your baby is an overzealous sucker or is stuck on the pacifier for too long, their teeth can be formed around the pacifier (anterior open bite, gap between teeth, crooked, crowded, or protruding) and discourage language development.
- May cause disturbed sleep. When a baby is dependent upon a pacifier to fall asleep at night, they often need it in the middle of the night as well. Which if they are under the age of 8-9 months, may break up your own sleep since they cannot really replace it on their own.
When to Introduce the Pacifier
Whether your baby is fussy or just needs some help getting some more sleep, pacifier can be an important component to eliminating their fussiness. But it's best to wait until around 3-4 weeks old until you do introduce, especially with a breastfeeding baby so that they can truly get a handle of feeding properly. Because the sucking mechanism for feeding is different than that used for a pacifier.
Types of Pacifiers
Just as there are different shapes and sizes to baby's mouths, there are different styles and sizes to choose from to fit with your baby. So be prepared to try a few different types until you find what fits right with your child.
Nipple shape. Standard shaped pacifiers are straight and elongated, orthodontic pacifiers are rounded and have a flat bottom, and cherry nipples are ball-shaped towards the end.
Latex/Silicone. Latex pacifiers are soft and flexible, deteriorating a lot faster and are not dishwasher safe. While silicone pacifiers are sturdier, more durable, do not retain odor, and are dishwasher safe. You may also want to take into factor that your baby could have an allergy to latex as well.
Shields. Most pacifiers have plastic shields with ventilation holes that may be flat or curve shape to the mouth.
Rings/buttons. Some pacifiers have rings on the back, while others have buttons. The rings make it easier to handle the pacifier when you need to retrieve it, but the buttons make it easier to handle for your baby.
Pacifier Safety
- Give your baby the pacifier when you lay them down to sleep. Do not reinsert it if it falls out while they are asleep.
- Never attach the pacifier to the baby gear. This includes the crib, carriage, pack'n'play, or stroller with a string or cord longer than 6 inches. This is one way to strangle your baby. Clips and shorter tethers designed specifically for pacifiers are fine - but still keep good supervision on them.
- Although it may be adorable, don't use pacifiers with glued on parts. They can fall off and become a huge choking hazard.
- Clean the pacifier frequently. At a minimum once a day, with soap and hot water, rinsing thoroughly and replacing regularly. To reduce any bacteria from spreading.
- Always be sure that your baby is not hungry before offering the pacifier. You never want to use the pacifier to delay or replace a meal.
Getting Rid of the Pacifier
When to ditch the pacifier. Unfortunately, there are no clear-cut guidelines at to what age a parent should be getting rid of the pacifier. But with my experience, the earlier is always the easier. Before about 8 months, babies haven't really grasped the full concept of object permanence. Which means that although your baby may cry out when they are laid down without the pacifier, they really just do not know how to self-soothe properly not because they know that it exists beyond what they can see. So taking it away past this age may prove to be more difficult.
How to take away the pacifier under 18 months. Quitting cold turkey at this age is really the best way. I know, sounds like an awful and horrid process but it really is not all that bad! It may take some sleep coaching due to having to re-teach your baby how to fall asleep without the pacifier. But it's all about just finding a new way to help your baby soothe themselves. Just make sure that once you take it away, that you are nothing but consistent with it.
How to take away the pacifier from a toddler. (1) Prepare your child in advance. Begin the whole process with conversation about what's going to happen and why. If there is anything that toddlers do not like, it is surprises. They thrive on predictability. And that means planning it around major events because you do not want to make too much of a change with them all at once. (2) Limit usage. Try to only let your child have it in certain situations, instead of using it as more of a security object that they can hold and walk around with. (3) Don't offer it. This one may seem obvious, but you'll be surprise how often children don't ask for it as much as parents are quick to try to offer it. (4) Have some patience and be firm. Of course, there are going to be good and bad days in this process but that is to be expected with anything in parenting. So be prepared. There may be days that all you want to do is throw that pacifier in their mouth, but consistency is the uttermost importance with toddlers. Toddlers are smarter than we give them credit for. (5) Or play on your child's intellegence altogether - help them say goodbye to it. Have them cut up all of the nipple parts, "send" them to other children who need them, or physically throwing them in the trash themselves. Do whatever tactic that will be most successful (not tramatizing) to your child.
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