Many new parents wonder if a pacifier for baby is the right decision. When it comes to using a pacifier you’ll find that other parents tend to be completely for or completely against the use of pacifiers.
There are many pros for using a pacifier as well as cons. Today I’ll dive into the topic to help you determine if using a pacifier is the right decision for your family.
Do doctors recommend pacifiers?
According to the Academy of Pediatrics, it’s recommended that parents offer a pacifier to babies when they’re about one month old.
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This recommendation is for giving a baby a pacifier at bedtime to help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
The Pros of Using a Pacifier for Baby
Minimizes Infant Crying
Women who experience Postpartum Depression tend to breastfeed easier when their baby isn’t crying as often. Using a pacifier for baby girl will help minimize crying in between feedings by allowing your baby to learn how to self-soothe.
Using the pacifier will help provide emotional support for a crying baby as well as a brief break for women who may be experiencing PD after giving birth.
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Distraction From Stimuli
A pacifier can be used as a distraction device when your baby is about to get vaccines or experience something that they may feel uncomfortable with. Using a pacifier for breastfed baby can help reduce the pain and nerves by providing a self-soothing option during procedures that may otherwise upset your baby.
Helps Preemies Thrive
Research has shown that babies born prematurely often leave the hospital quicker when they’ve been offered a pacifier. Preemies were shown to have shorter hospital stays and take to bottle-feeding quicker when a pacifier was utilized. The research also showed that there was an improvement in digestion when preemies were given a pacifier for baby during tube feedings.
Ease Discomfort during Flight
A pacifier for baby can help ease discomfort during flights. If you’re a traveling family then chances are you’re going to go flying with your baby before they’re older.
Using a pacifier for baby girl can help reduce the pain from ears popping during a change in air pressure. When the air pressure changes during a flight, your ears may pop but the suckling on a pacifier helps reduce the pain with this.
The Cons of Using Pacifier for Baby
Might Interfere with Breastfeeding
If you’re thinking about a pacifier for breastfed baby then you’ll want to hold off on giving your baby a pacifier too early. It’s best to allow your baby the first month to latch onto your breast to feed before introducing a pacifier.
The suckling on a pacifier is different than suckling on a breast for food so some babies have shown preference to a pacifier over breast when introduced too early to a pacifier.
Buy Pacifier for Breastfed Baby
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Increase Dependence on Pacifier
Using a pacifier for baby girl may be beneficial during an uncomfortable situation as noted above, but it can become something your baby becomes dependent on.
A pacifier for baby girl may encourage dependence on needing a pacifier for any situation that makes your baby feel uncomfortable.
If this dependence on pacifier for baby occurs, it’ll be harder to wean off the pacifier in later years.
Possible Dental Problems
With prolonged use of pacifier for baby, you may find that there’s a higher risk for future dental problems. The long term use of a pacifier can make your baby’s teeth become misaligned and lead to future dental problems.
The short term or occasional use of pacifier for breastfed baby has not been linked to any long-term dental problems.
As with most parental decisions, it’s hard to figure out the best route to go. I highly suggest you review my pros and cons of pacifier for baby and discuss the options with your spouse before deciding as to whether or not you’ll introduce a pacifier to your baby.
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