Very practical, this pacifier! It can calm your crying baby within seconds, satisfies the natural sucking reflex, and provides comfort. But there are also many opinions, criticisms, and myths surrounding pacifiers. To help you navigate it all and make the right decision for your little explorer, we’ve summarized the key points about pacifiers here.
Why are pacifiers even available?
The pacifier is also called a "soother"—and the answer is already in the name. A pacifier calms and comforts your baby. Your little explorer has what is known as a “non-nutritive sucking need,” meaning sucking that isn’t related to hunger or food intake. Even in the womb, babies suck on their own fingers, and after birth, they often also suck on caregivers’ hands or on objects such as stuffed animals or clothing. This helps your baby fulfill their need for closeness, physical contact, and affection. It’s easy to see why this feels calming and comforting. A Pacifier can therefore be a daily helper for parents who want to soothe their baby’s needs. Your baby could probably manage without it, too—many children even refuse a pacifier.
What are the advantages of a pacifier?
A pacifier calms, soothes, and helps your baby fall asleep . It’s always available and, unlike the breast, anyone can offer it to your child. It also relieves nursing mothers and can be helpful if your baby is not breastfed or cannot be breastfed.
It helps your little explorer cope with painful or sad feelings and settle down. It can be better than thumb-sucking because it is ergonomically shaped like a baby’s thumb . This means it can be much gentler on your child’s jaw. In addition, you can limit the time your baby has access to a pacifier.
For premature babies, a pacifier can also help with the activation of the digestive system . Premature babies are often fed through a tube and may gain weight better when the sucking reflex is activated via a nipple, which can also stimulate the release of digestive hormones.
What are the disadvantages of a pacifier?
Even with a pacifier, it’s important to use it with caution . Most of the time, your baby is trying to communicate something through crying or screaming, and often needs your voice, closeness, and physical contact. A pacifier is not a cure-all for every need. In addition, doctors and midwives warn about dental and jaw misalignments that can be caused by pacifier use. It can also prevent your baby from exploring things with their mouth during the oral phase. Prolonged pacifier use can also Language Development hinder , as it may keep young children from experimenting with sound formation by playing with their tongue and lips.
A pacifier can also be a breeding ground for germs and must be cleaned and sterilized thoroughly . And, of course, you’ll have to wean your little explorer off the pacifier one day. Once the first little teeth come in , it is recommended to start Pacifier weaning – and that can be difficult for your little explorer.
In the video, LILLYDOO pediatrician Ariane discusses the advantages and disadvantages of a pacifier once again.
Yes to the pacifier – What should you consider?
If you are still breastfeeding your baby, it’s best to avoid using a pacifier in the first few weeks so your newborn doesn’t develop nipple confusion . After four to six weeks, Breastfeeding is generally so well established that a pacifier is unlikely to cause problems. A good rule of thumb is to use a pacifier like medication: as often as necessary, but as infrequently as possible . Always keep the “side effects” mentioned above in mind. First, check what your baby actually needs and whether you can soothe them without a pacifier; it should never be your first calming measure. For breastfeeding babies, a pacifier does not replace non-nutritive sucking at the breast. You should never limit time at the breast or replace it with a pacifier. Your baby should always be able to spit the pacifier out independently; never force them to suck on it. It’s also recommended to remove the pacifier from your baby’s mouth once they have fallen asleep.
So your little explorer can use a pacifier safely, cleanliness and hygiene are very important. Rinse the pacifier frequently with hot water and sterilize it regularly (daily during the first 6 months; once your baby enters the oral phase, the frequency can be reduced). There are various ways to clean a pacifier. Specialty stores offer devices that sterilize pacifiers (and bottles) with very hot steam. There are also sterilizers for the microwave. You can also simply sterilize your baby’s pacifiers in a pot of hot water on the stove. For this, you should always use the same pot and dedicate it solely to sterilization so no bacteria from food are transferred to the pacifiers. This allows you to disinfect pacifiers made of all materials, but you should check them regularly . Latex pacifiers, in particular, can become porous due to high temperatures and then need to be replaced. Never clean the pacifier by putting it in your mouth , as this can transfer cavity- and herpes-causing bacteria to your baby. Under no circumstances should you dip the pacifier into sweet foods or drinks. This can also cause your baby to develop cavities more easily.
Which pacifier should it be?
When buying a pacifier for your baby, there are a few things to keep in mind. A möglichst flat pacifier shield and a small, flat, flexible teat are especially orthodontic and gentle on the first teeth. Newer pacifiers in a cherry shape are designed to mimic the natural movements of the nipple and are therefore particularly suitable for breastfeeding infants. In addition, the pacifier should be as lightweight as possible and have a shield with air holes so your little explorer gets plenty of air. By the way, it isn’t necessary for the pacifier to “grow” with your baby—the nipple doesn’t grow either. Most pacifiers are made of latex or silicone. Both materials have their own advantages:
Latex pacifier are very elastic and durable. They are bite-proof and therefore especially suitable for babies who already have first teeth . (But then it will be time to wean your little explorer off the pacifier soon anyway). In addition, latex pacifiers attract less lint and dust and are more environmentally friendly to dispose of. However, they are also somewhat less heat-resistant than silicone pacifiers.
Silicone pacifiers are tasteless and odorless. They are very soft and especially suitable for babies who do not yet have teeth. They are more heat-resistant, but slightly less elastic and more prone to cracking than latex pacifiers.
Additionally, there are also Natural rubber pacifiers . They are especially tear- and bite-resistant and pleasantly soft.
"Pacifier, yes or no?"—like many aspects of everyday life with a baby—is a question you have to answer individually. Whether your baby needs or even wants a pacifier, and whether it can make your family life easier, is something only you can decide. You now have some important information at your fingertips. And for any other questions, your midwife will surely be happy to help. We wish you a wonderful baby time!
