The use of infant pacifiers has been a controversial subject debated amongst both parents and their pediatricians alike for many years, and there’s no doubt the topic will continue to be discussed at great lengths for countless years to come.
Binkies, dummies, soothers, or whatever name you decide to call them, these little devices have been calming and quieting fussy and sick babies for many years in some form or another. But, why is there still so much discussion about something that’s been used for so long? Because as with most anything, there are pros and cons to consider, especially when it comes to something as important as your baby and his or her development.
The Plus Side Of Using A Infant Pacifier
There are those babies that enjoy having something to suck on, and mom you love it when your baby is content. All moms will tell you that a pacifier will “buy” you some time. This time can be use to get a bottle ready, or prepare yourself to start nursing.
You may also want to have a pacifier handy for visits to the pediatrician for times like shots or blood work or other potentially frightening or painful procedures.
Remember that infant pacifiers don’t last forever, and they need to be thrown away after showing signs of wear. If you don’t have another, your baby might decide to suck on her fingers. This is a incredibly hard habit to break.
Another thing the pacifier is good for is reducing the chances of a baby suffering from sudden infant death syndrome. For some reason babies who suck on pacifiers have less chance of dying from this horrible condition. Why exactly, no one is entirely sure.
The Pitfalls Of Using A Infant Pacifier
Of course, as you might expect, there are a few pitfalls or drawbacks to consider when it comes to whether or not you should give your baby a pacifier and also how frequently. Using an infant pacifier too early on may interfere with the important aspect of breast feeding as some babies aren’t able to differentiate between the nipple and the pacifier and then have trouble learning how to nurse from the breast properly.
Don’t let your baby become dependent to the pacifier. Consistently using it at bedtime can become disastrous. You will experience this when he spits it out during the night and start screaming for you to put it back in.
Using the pacifier too much can lead to painful rashes on the face and lips and prolonged usage can lead to a host of dental problems.
Normal usage throughout the first years of baby’s life is fine according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, but continuing on after that may cause the top teeth to slant outward and cause the upper and lower jaws to be out of alignment.
After deciding to use a pacifier, try different shapes and sizes. The best infant pacifier is the one your baby likes most. Once you have found it, buy a few so you don’t have to turn the house upside down looking for it.
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