Ask Dr. Peltier
Should I let my child use a pacifier?
Pacifiers are the subject of much debate, but they won’t hurt if used appropriately and may even do some good.
Sucking is a natural baby reflex. Babies suck to eat, and it’s one of the few ways they can soothe themselves.
Pacifiers can help babies sleep better. In fact, studies have shown babies who use pacifiers have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), though the reason isn’t clear. Infants’ use of pacifiers also is linked to better weight gain in premature infants.
On the downside, research links pacifier use with stopping breastfeeding earlier. Again, it’s not clear why this link exists. It’s possible that pacifier use may be more common in babies who already have breastfeeding problems or in families who are less motivated to breastfeed.
Several studies suggest another downside: increased risk of middle-ear infections. And once more, we don’t know why.
When to Start
Balancing a risk of more ear infections with a lower risk of SIDS, the best time for pacifiers is probably early during the first year of life – but only after breastfeeding is well established. That’s because the risk of SIDS is greatest during the first six months of life, when the risk of middleear infections is lowest.
Normal use of pacifiers during a baby’s first year doesn’t cause dental problems, but prolonged use after that can lead to orthodontic problems down the road.
If a child still uses a pacifier at age 3 or 4 years, it’s much more likely to interfere with speech and social development. A good rule of thumb is that when your child starts to talk more, it’s time to phase out the binkie.
Pacifiers vs. Thumbs
One of the best things about pacifiers is that you can get rid of them. That’s not true with thumbs. So a thumb dependency can be much harder to break than a pacifier habit. Among the better strategies for weaning a child from pacifiers is to start by using them only at night, and eventually ceremoniously trading them all in for a toy.
If a child uses a pacifier, keep it clean to reduce the risk of fungal infections. Soak it a few minutes each day in white wine vinegar and water. Silicon pacifiers harbor fewer germs. And avoid two-piece pacifiers or putting them on strings or necklaces to eliminate choking hazards.
The decision to use a pacifier is up to you. Try to let go of pressure or guilt. Do what works best for your family.
