Should babies use a pacifier?

What are the benefits of a pacifier?

Studies have shown that using a pacifier during sleep can significantly reduce the incidence of "sudden infant death syndrome". It can help your baby avoid mouth breathing and get used to breathing through the nose. It also helps in the development of baby's oral function, stimulates the secretion of saliva, and produces a natural digestive and intestinal lubricant. It is also good for oral hygiene and prevents gastroesophageal reflux. Less damage to teeth and gums, more hygienic, and easier withdrawal. It can prevent the baby from eating too much food and causing overfeeding.

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In 2011, when the American Academy of Pediatrics updated the Guidelines for Safe Sleep Environments for Infants, the clause "Infants should be pacified during naps and sleep" was added to it.

Disadvantages of pacifiers

(In case of incorrect use)
Interfere with normal breastfeeding: With premature use, "nipple confusion" can interfere with breastfeeding.
Affects daily habits: Overuse may lead to dependence.
Affecting developmental health: It may increase the risk of otitis media (but the probability is very low in the first 6 months). If it is not removed in time, it will lead to dental occlusion problems and increase the probability of dyspepsia.

How to use a pacifier correctly?

• Use after baby is full month

During the first month of breastfeeding, your baby has not yet mastered the skill of sucking at the nipple. If a pacifier is introduced at this time, it may cause nipple confusion.

• Keep your pacifier hygienic

If the pacifier is not cleaned and disinfected on time, it is easy to breed bacteria.
It is recommended that mothers use boiling water for 3-5 minutes to disinfect the pacifier every day. The dropped pacifier must be cleaned before using it for the baby.

• Do not overuse pacifiers

It is recommended to use a pacifier no more than two years old. After one year old, try to reduce the frequency of use and gradually quit using it.

• Use after breastfeeding

The pacifier is to meet the baby's sucking needs other than breastfeeding. Do not use it when the baby is hungry, which will increase the baby's crying.

Choose the right pacifier

Soft touch, moderate hardness, bite resistance, high temperature disinfection resistance, and not easy to deform are the criteria for choosing a good pacifier. At present, there are pacifiers of various materials on the market, such as latex pacifiers and silicone pacifiers, each with its own characteristics. Latex pacifiers are soft and elastic, similar to mother's nipples, but with a rubber smell, easy to deform and age; The softness is slightly lower, but other aspects are good, such as good durability and elasticity, no rubber smell, not easy to deteriorate, not easy to deform at high temperature, etc. You can choose freely according to your baby's preferences, or you can choose according to the pacifier your baby uses for breastfeeding. The pacifier is mainly a substitute for the mother's nipple. When the baby is crying, it can quickly calm down as soon as it touches the mother's nipple. Therefore, the main function of the pacifier is to soothe the baby's irritable emotions. Therefore, when choosing a pacifier, you must pay attention to the shape of the pacifier. If the shape is not realistic, it will not have the effect of comforting the baby. Therefore, it is best for the nipple to have a similar feeling with the mother's nipple and bottle nipple, so that it can be perfectly "connected" with the baby's small mouth. At the same time, the lifelike pacifier can also promote the development of the baby's mouth and facial muscles, and can effectively avoid the inhalation of excessive air during the sucking process, which may cause the baby to have abdominal pain. It should be noted that the shape of the pacifier should match the shape of the baby's lips. If possible, it is best to let the baby try it out in person when purchasing, and choose the one that the baby likes and is comfortable to use. Or buy as many pacifiers in as many different shapes and sizes as possible to help your baby find the best fit and the one he likes best.

Sterilization of pacifiers

Steam sterilization can be used. Steam sterilization is the most common method. There are many such steam pots or electric steam pots on the market, so that the pacifier can be steamed for 12-15 minutes on the steam of 95-97°C.

It can kill these bacteria by itself, and it will not destroy the raw materials of the pacifier, so it is more convenient and cleaner after disinfection. After cleaning the pacifier, dry the pacifier and put it in a clean and dry place. It is best to store the pacifier alone! Once the pacifier is found to be deformed, cracked, or damaged, it needs to be discarded immediately.