Baby pacifier also called infant pacifier, newborn pacifier, baby dummy, artificial teat, or baby soother, is an artificially molded nipple made up of rubber or silicone material that acts as a substitute for infants to suck upon between feeding time. They keep them calm, comfortable, and also help them to sleep early. Are pacifiers good or bad for your baby?
Read on to learn everything you need to know about baby pacifiers to take good care of your baby.
What are the benefits of using a pacifier?
There are many pros for using a pacifier, such as:
- It is also found to reduce crying during painful procedures like during injections.
- It acts as a habit breaker for children who suck their thumb and fingers and also who grind their teeth.
- It helps your baby to get their proper sleep.
- It is helpful in flights as it decreases pressure in-ear while traveling on an airplane.
- It relaxes a colic baby.
- It prevents the baby from sudden infant death syndrome.
What should be the appropriate time for the baby to start using a pacifier?
Recommendations for the use of baby pacifiers are:
If the infant is on breastfeeding, we should wait for 3-5 weeks to introduce a pacifier so that baby should not get confused between the mother’s nipple with the artificial nipple. If the infant is nursing well then, it’s not necessary to wait till 3-5weeks.
What should be the appropriate time for the baby to stop using a pacifier?
According to the American Academy of pediatrics and physician, pacifiers should be stopped around 6-8 months of age.
Should I remove the pacifier when the baby is sleeping?
If the baby is sleeping nicely without using it, you can safely remove it.
How to choose the ideal infant pacifier?
Ideal infant pacifiers should be consisting of a long teat(nipple), mouth guard, and the handle. Teat and mouth guard should be made of the same material so that they cannot be separated or molded together. The mouth guard must have several holes in it so that baby can breathe easily and its size must be small and flexible.
Which types and brands of infant pacifiers are the best for babies?
The easily available best pacifier for teeth:
- Philips Avent pacifier
- Tommee tippee pacifier
- Pigeon pacifier
- Baby fruit pacifier
- Nuke breeze orthodontic pacifier
- MAM pacifiers
- Orthodontic pacifier
- BIBs pacifier
Why orthodontic pacifiers better for babies?
Orthodontic pacifiers are better for babies as it is more beneficial for babies and cause less prominence of front teeth, other advantages such as:
- Extra airflow for baby’s smooth and fragile skin
- Moldable shield
- Lightweight and reliable for babies
- BPA free
What are the effects of pacifiers on dentition?
Prolong use of baby dummy/baby soothers even after the 5 years of age can cause the following problems:
- Malalignment of teeth
- Dental decay
- Gums recession
- Flaring front teeth
- Overbite and
- Crossbite
What are the disadvantages or side effects of using pacifiers?
Sometimes overuse of pacifiers is bad for babies, as it may cause many side effects or problems such as:
- Dental problems꞉ Long-lasting use of pacifiers over 4 years can cause orthodontic problems such as crossbite or overbite, crowding, and malalignment of teeth.
- Ear infections꞉ Whenever baby sucks or swallows it changes pressure behind the ear which transfers fluids in the middle ear and causes infections over there.
- Addiction꞉ Too much use of pacifiers can cause addiction to your babies.
- Feeding difficulties꞉ Sometimes baby gets confused between artificial nipple or breast nipple so you should wait if your baby is on breastfeeding.
Tips and Tricks to keep the baby pacifier clean and safe:
Wash the pacifier (silicone) with safe detergent and water and rinse it very well so that soap particles wash away properly then boiling it for 5-7minutes.
- Don’t tie the pacifier around the baby’s neck.
- Never dip a pacifier in sweet juices because it could be terrible on to baby’ gums and teeth.
- Never put your baby’s pacifiers in your mouth because adult saliva is enriched with bacteria and cause cavities in your baby’s mouth.
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