Dummies: yes or no?
All babies have a strong sucking reflex, and sucking on a pacifier has long been used as a means of calming and soothing them.
Some babies will suck on anything they can find, be it thumbs, toes or toys, and these babies are usually the ones who most benefit from a pacifier – others will be soothed with a cuddle or rocking.
You can give your newborn a pacifier straightaway if you wish but if you do, opt for an orthodontic design that’s better for her gums and developing teeth. But don’t be surprised if she doesn’t take to it straightaway – many small babies dislike the sensation of a pacifier in their mouth.
Be cautious about giving your baby a pacifier in the first four to six weeks if you’re trying to establish breastfeeding. It promotes a different sucking motion to breastfeeding and may confuse her or even put her off nursing. If your baby is bottlefed it’s fine to give her a pacifier, but don’t use it as a means of quieting her without checking why she’s crying. Is she really hungry and is the pacifier just staving off the inevitable? Is she feeling insecure? Is she cutting a tooth? Is she finding it hard to get to sleep on her own?
Cleaning your baby’s pacifiers
Until your baby is weaned onto solids, her pacifier should be sterilized in the same way as you sterilize bottles. After she’s weaned, thorough cleaning is enough to ensure the pacifier is safe to use. Inadequate cleaning of dummies can lead to ear infections as bacteria from the pacifier can migrate to your baby’s inner ear via her throat. Using a pacifier clip, which attaches the pacifier to your baby’s clothes, can help avoid repeated drops on the floor.
Weaning your child off their pacifier
Pacifiers may potentially slow down your child’s speech development if she uses one all the time. They may also affect the development of your child’s teeth, especially if they she’s using one when her permanent teeth start to appear, usually around the age of five or six. Some parents find it very hard to wean their child off their pacifier – follow gurgle’s tips:
- As your baby grows, restrict pacifier use to naps and bedtime and take it out of her mouth when she falls asleep.
- Once she starts babbling, keep the pacifier for when she’s at home.
- Encourage her to focus on a small toy instead as a comforter – but take the precaution of buying a ‘stunt double’ so you can regularly wash them without it leading to a tantrum!
- Emphasize the fact that your child is a ‘big girl’ now and that pacifiers are just for babies.
If your second baby is due, keep in mind that older children often regress when a baby arrives, as a way of getting more of attention, and it may well be that your older child clamors for her pacifier (children can also regress in potty training). It’s probably best to avoid trying to wean your toddler or preschooler off her pacifier around the time they have a new baby brother or sister.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 21/05/2007
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