Pacifier: Pro's & Con's - Do's & Dont's

Babies are born wanting to suck. Some even suck their thumb or
fingers before they are born. This is a natural behaviour that allows them to feed and grow. It is also comforting and helps them settle. The use of a pacifier can help soothe a fussy baby.

 What  are the advantages?

·  Sucking on a pacifier is better than a thumb or finger because it causes fewer problems with future tooth development. 

·   A parent can control the use of a pacifier but it’s harder to control thumb sucking. When it’s time to stop using a pacifier, you can throw it away. You can’t throw away a thumb! 

·  Also, the latest medical research finds that using a pacifier may decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or crib death. 
 
What are the disadvantages?

· Not using a pacifier properly can lead to problems with breastfeeding, teeth (cavities and overbite), and possibly, middle ear  infections. 

·  Homemade  pacifiers, sweetened pacifiers or pacifiers tied around a baby’s neck are not safe and could lead to injury or death. 

·   If used too much, baby can become dependent on it

 The  Do’s and Don’ts of pacifiers

 ·  Try not to start using a pacifier until breastfeeding is fully established. An exception is for premature or sick babies in the  hospital. They may use one for comfort. 

·    Always see if the baby is hungry, tired or bored before giving him the pacifier. 

·   Always sterilize the pacifier by putting it in boiling water for 5 min before the first use. Make sure it’s completely cooled down before giving it to the baby. Then, keep it clean by washing it with hot, soapy water. 

·   Always check for cracks or tears before giving a pacifier to the baby. 

·   Never  dip the pacifier in sugar or honey. This will damage the teeth. Honey can lead to botulism, which is a type of food poisoning. 
·      
Never
  tie a pacifier around a baby’s neck. This can cause strangulation and death.



·      
Never
  make your own pacifier out of bottle nipples, caps or other materials. These
  can cause choking and death.