Pacifiers

Definition

• A pacifier is an artificial nipple for a baby to suck on. It can be used when they are not hungry.
• This need for extra sucking is called non-nutritive sucking. Infants soothe themselves by sucking. Babies vary on how much of this they need. Some need very little.
• The pacifier is also called a soother, dummy or binky.

Main Benefit: Prevent Thumb Sucking

• The amount of extra sucking babies need when they are not hungry varies. This extra sucking seems to be for self-soothing and self-comforting.
• Some babies suck on their thumb or fingers almost constantly. If you have a baby like this, try to interest him in a pacifier. To be accepted as a substitute for the thumb, introduce it before 2 months.
• Pacifier sucking is harmless compared to thumb sucking. Thumb sucking can cause a severe overbite if continued after permanent teeth come in. A pacifier exerts less pressure on the teeth and causes a minor overbite. However, dentists do recommend stopping a pacifier by age 2.
• The main benefit is you can control your child's use of a pacifier. You can decide when to stop it. If over 12 months old, he will rarely start late thumb sucking if you take it away.
• In contrast, it is much more difficult to stop your child from sucking his thumb. This is because his thumb belongs to him.

Main Risk: Pacifier Dependency

• Pacifier dependency is when a child always wants the pacifier with him.
• It's his constant companion. He feels like the pacifier belongs to him. He walks around with it in his mouth.
• He can't fall asleep without it in his mouth. Following normal awakenings at night, he can't fall back to sleep without the pacifier. If he can't find it, he cries for his parent to help him. Normal infants can't find, pickup and re-insert a pacifier until 10 to 12 months old.

Reasons to Phase Out the Pacifier By 12 Months of Life

• A pacifier can interfere with normal babbling and speech development. It's hard for a child to talk with a pacifier in his mouth.
• A pacifier in the mouth can also interfere with learning normal facial expressions.
• A pacifier also encourages a child to continue exploring the world with his mouth. He should be doing it with his hands.
• Older children will strongly resist pacifier weaning. Bad habits become harder to break with each passing month. After age 2, taking away the pacifier may cause a battle.
• He probably won't agree to give it up on his own until 4 years.

Pacifier Dependency: Prevention

If you allow your child to use a pacifier all the time, his interest in it will increase. To ensure your child doesn't become overly attached to a pacifier, consider the tips below:

• During your child's first 6 months, use the pacifier only when he wants to suck but isn't hungry.
• The only exception is during the first month of life and you are breastfeeding. This is when breastmilk is coming in and milk supply is being established. Sucking and feeding from the breast are what make moms produce milk. So, we want all that sucking energy to go towards making more milk. If it's been more than 90 minutes since the last nursing, your newborn is hungry. For formula fed babies, the pacifier is fine unless your baby is hungry.
• Be careful not to offer a pacifier every time he cries. Crying has a number of causes besides hunger and a need to suck. Try swaddling or rocking. (see Crying handout).
• When your baby seems unhappy, first use cuddling. This provides comfort instead of offering the pacifier. Try not to overuse the pacifier while you are comforting your baby.
• If your baby uses a pacifier, don't forget to take it with you for air travel. Sucking a pacifier or swallowing fluids during descent can prevent ear pain.