Newborns and pacifiers
Should newborns be given pacifiers?
Most newborn babies won’t need a pacifier, and will be comforted with a cuddle or a song – but some babies are more ‘sucky’ than others and will suck on anything they can find, be it thumbs, toes or toys. These babies are usually the ones who get most comfort from a pacifier.
You can give your newborn a pacifier straightaway if you wish but if you do, opt for an orthodontic pacifier, which is supposed to be better for developing teeth and gums. Don’t be surprised, however, if your baby 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. Pacifiers promote a different sucking motion to breastfeeding and may confuse your baby 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 baby off her pacifier
View the pacifier as a short-term solution – you don’t want your baby to grow up relying on it for comfort, so only give it when you think it’s necessary, or when all other methods of comfort have failed. Limiting its use should help make it easier to wean your baby off her pacifier when the time comes. As she grows, try to restrict it to bedtime, taking it out of her mouth when she falls asleep, or restrict pacifier use to at home only. See our article babies and pacifiers for more tips on weaning your baby off her pacifier.
Thumb-sucking
Some newborn babies find their thumbs in the first few days, and this can be handy as it means your baby can soothe herself and you won’t have to get up through the night to put her pacifier back in her mouth. It’s also less of a hygiene issue since you won't have to worry about sterilizing anything. The downside to thumb-sucking is that it can be harder to stop your baby from doing it later on – while a pacifier can be taken away, a thumb is always there and the older a child gets the more damage a thumb can do to her teeth. There isn't much you can do if your baby finds his thumb but be assured that most children do grow out of the thumb-sucking habit when they reach pre-school age.
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.
Reviewed August 2008
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Last Modified: 27/08/2008
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