A pacifier is an artificial nipple substitute that’s made of rubber, silicone or plastic. There has been a lot of debate and discussion as to whether parents should allow their babies to use them.
Now, there really is not direct answer to this debate, and it is completely up to you as the parent to decide on whether you want to provide a pacifier for your baby.
Previously, in medieval Europe, many teething devices made of bone and coral were documented. Later on, parents used a small ball of linen cloth filled with a little sugar to help calm babies.
The modern pacifiers that we have today became popular in the 1930s, and continued to be improved on in terms of design and materials. Before you make an informed decision, it helps to know what the pros and cons of using a pacifier are.
The Benefits of Using a Pacifier
Pacifiers, as their name suggests, are meant to provide your baby with something to suckle on in between feeding times.
Here are some of the pros they provide:
They provide comfort and calm for your crying baby
The suckling motion is soothing for babies. When you provide them something soft to suckle on, they are able to soothe themselves and stop crying.
They can provide relief in highly stressful situations
If your baby is going for a vaccination shot, letting them have a pacifier is one way of ensuring that they have a way of soothing themselves. It’s the same for when they’re in pain and have to be examined by a medical practitioner.
They don’t cause teeth problems
Contrary to popular belief, pacifiers do not interfere with teeth development in babies. However, experts suggest that children should not use pacifiers beyond 3 years of age. The maximum usage should be 6 years so as to avoid any permanent effects on their teeth.
They’re easier to stop
Unlike the practice of allowing your babies to suck on their thumbs, a pacifier can be removed from your baby much more easily.
The Downsides of Pacifier Use
Now, let’s look at the effects of using a pacifier that you may not know of.
Prolonged use does cause dental issues
If you allow your child to use pacifiers for more than 3-6 years of their lives, this might cause their teeth to be misaligned. That’s why it’s important to stick to the time frame and wean your child off the pacifier after the first few years.
It can cause dependence
Some babies might become very dependent on pacifiers to the point of not being able to sleep without them. If this happens you might find your child crying if and when their pacifiers fall out of their mouths.
It can disrupt feeding times
Experts suggest not giving your child a pacifier until after the first month, especially if you’re breastfeeding. This is because the usage of pacifiers can disrupt the establishment of a feeding routine by causing confusion.
Where Can I Buy Pacifiers?
At Motherhood.com.my, you can find a wide selection of modern pacifiers that are affordable, and made to the highest safety specifications for your little ones. Here’s our top 3:
Piyo Piyo Thumb Shaped Pacifier
This thumb shaped pacifier is made of safe silicone, with a square pull ring and affordable price.
Price: RM18
Where to buy: Piyo-Piyo Thumb Shaped Pacifier
Dr. Brown’s Advantage Pacifier, Stage 1
This pack of two pacifiers contains not one but two pacifiers of different colours. They’re made with BPA free silicone material that’s safe for your baby, and perfectly symmetrical. Additionally, they can be sterilized in a microwave, by boiling or in an electric sterilizer.
Where to buy: Dr. Brown’s Advantage Pacifier Stage 1
Price: RM36.00 for 2 in a pack
Kuku Duckbill Orthodontics Pacifier
Made of non-toxic silicone, it is soft and does not interfere with orthodontic development. Furthermore, it is also easy to keep clean and has a semi flat design.
Where to buy: Kuku Duckbill Orthodontics Pacifier
Price: RM12.00
Use Pacifiers with Care
In conclusion, when you do give your baby a pacifier, make sure you keep them clean and safe. Moreover, don’t force your baby to take it if they’re not interested and do not coat it with any food items, like sugar or honey.
Therefore, we can conclude that with careful usage of pacifiers, they can actually do more good than harm.
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