Are you due to give birth soon and have heard mixed reviews on giving baby a pacifier? If you’re curious as to what’s recommended by leading health organizations, we’ve got you covered. Pacifiers, sometimes called a “binky,” “paci,” or “soothie” are made to comfort your baby. They’re most helpful when your baby is fussy. Sounds simple enough right? Well, not so fast. There’s lots of advice about using a pacifier; let’s unpack the advantages and issues with pacifiers.
Advantages of Pacifier Use
Babies are born with a natural sucking reflex. They often suck on their fingers in the womb before they’re born. After birth, this sucking offers some natural pain relief and can help comfort your little one during times of stress, like when they’re teething or receiving a shot. Pacifiers are also handy if you take your baby on a flight to help release the pressure in their ears.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests giving pacifiers to infants when they’re falling asleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Once asleep, the AAP notes, there’s no need to replace a pacifier in baby’s mouth if it falls out.
Pacifiers and Breastfeeding
Pacifiers also have their challenges. Pacifier use can lead to early weaning from nursing and other breastfeeding difficulties. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t use a pacifier if you’re breastfeeding. For that reason, it’s best to wait to give your baby a pacifier until breastfeeding is going well.
The AAP recommends a pacifier starting at about one month of age. As those first four weeks pass, you’ll know if you’re breastfeeding is going well, that baby can nurse when hungry, and you’re continuing to make sufficient milk for your baby. You’ll know that breastfeeding is well established because your baby latches on well to your breast and that you’re not experiencing breast milk supply issues.
Disadvantages of Pacifier Use
After baby’s 6-month birthday, begin to reduce pacifier use due to the risk of ear infections. And by baby’s second birthday, start thinking about limiting its use until your little one stops using it as it could affect tooth alignment.
Pacifier Tip List
A pacifier can never replace a parent’s comfort and care. So here are some tips to help you decide when and for how long you may want to give your baby a pacifier:
- Don’t give your baby a pacifier at the first signs of a whimper or as soon as they start to cry. Crying is a form of communication. First, consider what your baby might need. Are they hungry or need their diaper changed? Do they want to change positions or want to be held?
- Never force a pacifier if your baby is not interested.
- Provide a one-piece pacifier only and don’t use strings or tethers that can fasten to baby’s clothes—they may add choking and strangulation.
- Keep the pacifier clean! For the first 6 months, boil for a couple of minutes or run through the dishwasher. Wash with warm soapy water as your baby grows.
- Don’t use your mouth to rinse off the pacifier because this increases the number of germs given to your baby. If baby is recovering from a cold or virus, sterilize or replace the old pacifier. A pacifier cover can also help keep the pacifier clean.
- Replace pacifiers every 1-2 months or when there are signs of damage.
- Have patience with multiple pacifier purchases. You may have a trial-and-error period with your baby until you find the shape they like best.
- Ask friends, family and baby’s pediatric care provider about other methods to soothe baby if your little one doesn’t like a pacifier.
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