What You Need To Know About Pacifiers
Everyone seems to have their own opinions about pacifiers but do you really know how much off is true or just a complete myth ? Here is our research which will help set the record straight
What You Need To Know About Pacifiers
Pacifiers are often a baby’s first lovemaking it that much more important for parents to know everything there is to know about these tiny instruments to help the baby and also to make sure that the baby remains safe. The only truth known well enough is that baby’ get fussy and pacifier helps soothe them, for rest of the details on benefits and harm associated with their use, our research will set it straight.
1) Breastfeeding Newborns Should Never Use a Pacifier
False. A pacifier is a really easy way to soothe and calm down a crying baby. babies have a natural sucking reflex which makes pacifiers a perfect combination. The important thing to understand is that frequent or early start of pacifier use has been shown to interfere with breastfeeding in young babies. The sucking motion used in the pacifier is different than breastfeeding and certain babies can be sensitive to it and shorten the duration of breastfeeding. Therefore, it is recommended for new mothers to first settle into a constant nursing pattern (about 3-4 weeks) and then safely start using the pacifier.
2) Pacifiers Typically Cause Dental Problems
Partially True. Excessive pacifier use beyond a certain age can influence normal dental growth. While normal pacifier use doe not causes long-term dental problems, prolonged pacifier use can cause a child’s teeth to be misaligned or not come out properly. It is important to note that for most babies, pacifier use in the first 2 years has almost no impact. Therefore, in order to avoid any damage or malocclusion (incorrect tooth alignment), parents should gradually remove the pacifier around 2-3 years of age.
3) Extensive Pacifier Use May Increase the Risk of Ear Infections
True. Some researches have indicated that older children (1 year or more) tend to have greater ear infections while continuing to use pacifiers. While additional researches are till being carried out on the mechanism surrounding this observation, popular opinion is that it is most likely because sucking changes the pressure in the ears. This pressure difference may prevent fluid from draining through the tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. When fluid collects there, it can lead to an increased risk of infections.
In general, a good guideline for parents can be to don’t be too generous bringing out the pacifier to the rescue. Babies can become habitual to pacifier very quickly and can find it difficult to live without them. It is important for parents to not go to that as the first line of defense every time a child gets cranky. Instead, try rocking the child or play with them to distract them first.
4) Pacifier Needs to be Frequently Cleaned
True. Pacifiers can get dirtier than you can imagine. They can be breeding grounds for various bacteria and viruses and need to be constantly cleaned. In general, it is a good practice to always keep clean back-ups on hand. Pacifiers are naturally susceptible to getting dirty so always purchase pieces that are easy to clean and have a couple of clean ones on hand for those unforeseen situations.
It is always a good idea to ensure that the pacifier is dishwasher safe and can be properly cleaned. It is very difficult to prevent pacifiers from falling on the floor or getting dirty so ease of cleanliness is a very important factor to consider while making the purchase.
5) Pacifiers Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS
True. A recent study has indicated that pacifier use can significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in kids. In addition to promoting sleeping on the back which itself has been shown to dramatically reduce SIDS, pacifier use can help to keep the airways open and keep the baby safe. However, having said that, please don’t force the baby to use a pacifier while they are about to sleep or jam it in if it falls out in the night.
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