Most newborn babies have a strong sucking reflex, which may lead moms to the question “is a pacifier good for newborn”. Some newborn babies suck their thumbs or fingers before they are born. Beyond helping with nutrition, sucking may often give a soothing effect.
Is a pacifier really good for your newborn babies, though? Mommies, we should understand the benefits and risks of pacifier use (does it affect baby teeth?), how to clean, and approaches to wean your newborn from the pacifier.
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Is pacifier good or bad for your newborn baby
As far as a pacifier is concerned, that is related to newborn, using them may come into pluses and minuses. If your newborn is having one (and while some don’t), it is probably their favorite on-the-go accessory.
And while thoughts of “does pacifier affect your baby teeth” run through your head, you may be more surprised that it can soothe your fussy newborn.
Your newborn baby may love their pacifier, but is it healthy? You are worried if “should I remove pacifier when baby is sleeping” more than thinking that you should really remove it.
What is a pacifier for?
Pacifiers may go into different nicknames like soothers, dummies, binkies, soo-soos, and buttons. But in any way you want to call them, you are possibly thinking that pacifiers can bring joy to your newborn. As its name suggests, pacifier help soothe and calm your newborn baby.
Benefits and problems associated with a pacifier being good for newborn
If you are one of those parents who want to comfort their babies and are thinking of offering them pacifiers, here are a few things that you should know about them which may help you to decide.
Benefits of a pacifier
1) It satisfies the baby’s need for sucking.
Non-nutritive sucking is a normal infant reflex, as babies are born with a need to suck. The frequency varies from baby to baby.
Babies tend to suck when they are feeling boredom, tiredness, or in need of comfort. A pacifier may just satisfy the baby’s urge to suck.
2) It helps the baby to fall asleep.
Babies enjoy the self-comforting feeling of sucking as they doze off to sleep. The pleasurable stimulation of sucking helps babies cope better with the distractions around them.
3) It reduces the risk of overfeeding for bottle-fed babies.
You may always tend to look at the urge to suck as a sign of hunger. You may be overfeeding your already full baby. Some parents offer a pacifier if the baby still wants to suck even if he/she has been fed adequately.
4) It is easier to control the use of a pacifier than to stop thumb-sucking.
You can make your baby stop using a pacifier by simply throwing it away when the need arises. However, thumb-sucking becomes a habit that may be difficult to break because, well, thumbs are always available to them!
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Problems associated with pacifiers:
1) They may inhibit growth.
Sucking activity requires energy, and their overuse may result in poor weight gain and poor feeding, especially among frail babies.
2) They pose a greater risk of ear infections.
Pacifiers may be a source of middle ear infections because prolonged and continuous sucking may change the pressure within the middle ear chamber.
3) Too much use may lead to delayed speech.
It would be difficult for the baby to talk while having a pacifier in their mouth. Infants can have an addiction to them and their use after a year can interfere with their normal speech and babbling.
4) Inappropriate and prolonged use may lead to dental problems.
The use of pacifiers can lead to many dental problems such as protruding and crooked teeth, and can even alter the shape of the mouth. Pacifiers dipped in corn syrup, honey or glucose can lead to tooth decay among infants.
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Should I remove the pacifier when the baby is sleeping?
Some newborn babies may possibly find it easier to suck on a pacifier. This will make it harder for them to latch on during breastfeeding times.
Or, maybe, they might use their energy to suck on the pacifier and then fall asleep or be less interested in breastfeeding when it is time for feeding.
The question now will follow: Should I remove pacifier when baby is sleeping?
The answer could be yes or no. Removing the pacifier when your newborn baby is sleeping is largely useless. It is because your newborn may have developed the sucking-to-sleep association during bedtime. Means, that you will likely have to repeat it at night.
Additionally, as your newborn approaches age one, you will find yourself at another pacifier crossroads.
However, you may also need to consult with your doctor or pediatrician to know more about removing a pacifier when your baby is sleeping. In this case, they will guide you as to when and how, and why you should remove it.
Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow if a pacifier is good for newborn
- You should sterilize it before use by boiling it in water for about 5 minutes.
- It’s a good idea to have similar backup pacifiers in case you lost your newborn pacifier or fall on the floor or street. Having spare pacifiers will also allow time for their proper cleaning, which you should clean by washing them with warm, soapy water.
- It’s a good idea to discontinue their use well before the child reaches 5 years of age.
- Never force your baby to use a pacifier. If your baby doesn’t accept it, try other ways of soothing him/her.
- Choose a pacifier based on the age of your child. In most cases, the one-piece model with a soft nipple is the most suitable of the lot.
- Do not attach a ribbon or string longer than 6 inches to your baby’s pacifier, as this is a choking hazard.
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Does a pacifier affect your baby teeth?
According to a study reviewed by ClevelandClinic.com, Dr. Mudd says that sucking on a pacifier or thumb may cause a newborn child’s teeth to misalign.
He added that it is a valid concern, but not until the child goes between 2 and 4 years old. To avoid pacifiers that may affect your baby teeth, try to wean them off the pacifier by the time they reach 4 years old.
How to clean a pacifier
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Every mom should keep the pacifier of their newborn clean, even if they are newly bought. Pacifiers should be sterilized before using them.
To sterilize the pacifier of your newborn, you may boil it in a pot with sufficient water for 5 minutes only. Or, you may soak it in a mixture of water and sterilizing fluid.
If using a sterilizing solution, you should not leave the pacifier longer than what is recommended. This will damage the material.
The ventilation hole is also important. It allows the teat to be compressed in the mouth so that it might adapt to the palate. This adaption to the palate is necessary for the development milestone of your newborn’s jaw and mouth.
Parents have different overviews and questions on the use of pacifiers. While some cringe at their sight, others are gung-ho about them.
When should a baby stop pacifier
The day you decide to start your baby’s pacifier weaning or, to stop them sucking pacifier, can be your first bout of anxiety. You can try this whether going like a cold turkey or take a gentle approach, according to ClevelandClinic‘s review, the pacifier should go earlier, rather than later.
Dr. Jason Sherman, DO accounts for the alteration of your baby’s jaw development in relation to the use of pacifier. He added that babies and toddles should not use pacifiers all day long, to allow their teeth to grow in the typical way, that this pacifier dependency can lead to worse dental conditions.
Furthermore, Healthline notes that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) affirms that non-nutritive sucking is just normal for babies and younger children. They also suggest that toddlers age 3 should start pacifier weaning.
When to start your baby’s pacifier weaning
Babies and young toddlers use pacifier to help themselves in their sleep. In addition, it also aids them to comfort themselves after a fit to deal with their frustration. But, your young toddler should not use a pacifier all day when they are running around the house and when instead they need to develop language skills. Children began speaking at age 1, and there can be a slim chance that pacifier could delay language development.
How to wean off your baby from pacifier
When they reach 12 to 15 months old, you may try following these weaning steps:
- Always pay attention to when your baby is sucking. Are they really sucking for a contented comfort or they keep on sucking just because?
- Try to keep the pacifier away at times your baby does not necessarily need to suck. You may want them to try some other form of stimulation: a mobile, rattle, or swinging chair. If teething seems to be a problem, offer a teething ring or cold washcloth instead.
- If your baby resists and starts to cry, you may try to delay giving them their pacifier in a way such as distracting them with a toy or playing with them.
Also, it is better to wean from the pacifier gradually, whenever your baby is contented and distracted with other things. If you try not to take it when they are already whining or upset and they still have a strong urge to suck, withholding it may result in being more upset.
Another thing, it is worth noting that if you get the pacifier away at an age when the need to suck for comfort is still strong, your baby might just switch to sucking on sometimes else like their thumb.
Additional information by Nathanielle Torre
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