The Pros and Cons of Pacifier Use
THE PROS AND CONS OF PACIFIER USE
PROS
*HELPS A BABY DRIFT OFF TO SLEEP - Most babies find it comforting tosuck on fingers, a hand, or a breast. Sucking on a pacifier somehowsoothes an infant, eventually helping him drift off to sleep.
* EFFECTIVE SOURCE/MEANS OF COMFORT DURING MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS - Medical procedures can be stressful and this is where a pacifier cancome in handy to soothe a baby stressed by a new and painful experience.
* SATISFIES A BABY'S NEED FOR SUCKING - A pacifier can effectively limit babies from sucking more than what is nourishing.
* MINIMIZES OVERFEEDING IN BOTTLE-FED INFANTS - An infant can beoverfed when its need to suck for comfort is mistaken for hunger. A pacifier can help address this concern.
* LOWERS THE INCIDENCE OF SIDS (SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME) - It supposedly reduces the risk of SIDS. However, more research/studies should be done in order to prove or justify this claim.
* PACIFIER USE IS EASIER TO STOP THAN THUMB-SUCKING.
CONS
* IT INTERFERES WITH NORMAL GROWTH - Less or no weight gain has beennoted in smaller or sickly infants who easily get weakened by sucking.
* DELAYED SPEECH DEVELOPMENT - noted in babies overusing pacifiers.
* CONTINUOUS USE LEADS TO OTITIS MEDIA - Too much sucking affectsthe middle ear and causes ear infections like Otitis Media.
* DENTAL PROBLEMS CAN ARISE FROM PROLONGED USE, most notably, "crookedteeth".
* BABIES CAN GET SO USED TO PACIFIERS and can no longer sleep without it.
* CAUSES SOME BABIES TO CONFUSE THE PACIFIER FOR THE REAL NIPPLE/BREAST. Hence, pacifier use should only be started at least 4 weeks after the baby gets used to breastfeeding.
PACIFIER CARE
* STERILIZATION - when using for the first time, immerse pacifier in boiling water for at least 5 minutes.
* CLEANING - wash the pacifier with soap and hot water frequently.
Contrary to what others think, early weaning is not always aconsequence of pacifier use. No study has yet shown a direct link between pacifier use and early weaning. Pacifiers can be started at the age of 2 weeks to 4 months. Children naturally lose interest in pacifiers at ages 3-4 years, but you can decide when to stop pacifier use. However you choose to do it(offer a toy in exchange or make it less attractive for your baby), be patient with your child -- it's not easy for them to break this habit.
Published by Heather Wood
I am a 28 year old graduate of The College of NJ with a Bachelor's degree in English. I have been writing and editing for a variety of companies over the past few years. Also, I'm working on a novel and a fe... View profile
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