Should I Let My Child Have a Pacifier?
Deciding to introduce an infant to a pacifier is a decision left to the parent(s), but when asking for expert advice on the matter opinions vary. Some child development experts believe that a pacifier can hinder speech development and the proper growth of teeth. Similarly, proponents of breastfeeding believe that a pacifier creates “nipple confusion,” a condition that may impact breastfeeding. However, there are others who believe that a pacifier will cause no developmental issues at all.
The intended purpose of a pacifier is to help an infant learn to self-soothe. For an infant, sucking is a natural reflex they are born with. While their natural ability to suck is what allows them to feed almost immediately from birth, sucking is a soothing action for many babies. For those infants who find comfort in sucking on something, a pacifier simply gives them a familiar object to suck.
In some hospitals, a pacifier is introduced in the nursery after delivery. If you decide you do not want to introduce a pacifier, you should make your preference known ahead of time. Many babies who never have a pacifier simply replace it and find the same comfort by sucking on fingers or thumbs. If you plan to breastfeed, you should consult with a lactose counselor about introducing a pacifier.
The primary reason parents hesitate to introduce their children to a pacifier is because of long-term attachment. Many parents fear their child will be three years old and still using a pacifier. However, keep in mind that you can choose to use a pacifier for self-soothing during infancy and wean the child from it when you wean them from the bottle or breast. Conversely, some parents fear that their children will become thumb-suckers if they do not have a pacifier and fear it will develop a habit much harder to break.
When deciding whether or not to introduce your infant to a pacifier, it’s best to take a watchful approach. Every baby is different and some babies learn to self-soothe without any help. Some babies will not take a pacifier even when one is introduced. Other babies may fuss constantly if they do not have an object to transfer their sucking instincts to at all times. Pay attention to your baby and do what seems the most natural for them. Many babies will use a pacifier for a few months and then break themselves of it as they develop.
Unless you have your own deep-rooted philosophy about using pacifiers, you can simply wait and watch and respond as your baby needs you to. You should not use a pacifier as a means to put off feeding or to stifle needful crying, but you can safely use a pacifier to aid your child with self-soothing if they respond to it. Make sure you pay close attention to the safe use of pacifiers and do not give a child a pacifier that is torn, split, or cracking.
Written by J. Beam
