Pacifiers can be a lifesaver. Here are some pacifier pros and cons to take into consideration: Pros of pacifiers: A pacifier could save your baby's life. Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something. If your baby is due for a vaccination or for blood to be drawn, a pacifier is great way to reduce the pain and keep … RELATED: The Pros & Cons Of Adopting A Newborn Baby. What is a pacifier? “You don’t want a newborn using a toddler-size pacifier, which can be overwhelming in his mouth, or a toddler using an infant pacifier, which will sit directly behind his teeth, pushing them outward and possibly leading to an overbite,” says Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, pediatrician and Chief of Digital Innovation at Seattle Children’s hospital. One theory as to why is that sucking on a pacifier might help open up air space around a baby's mouth and nose, which ensures she gets enough oxygen. On the positive side, pacifiers provide a source of comfort to infants. Learn pacifier pros and cons. 2016; doi:10.1542/peds.2016-2940. Find out the biggest benefits and drawbacks. 3. Use praise when your child chooses not to use the pacifier. Others like to suck on a pacifier. “It reduces how a baby senses pain and makes him more comfortable.” The one thing you don’t want to do is coat the pacifier with something sweet or sticky, which can cause cavities later on. A pacifier offers temporary distraction. Jaafar SH, et al. “Even in best-case scenarios, early breastfeeding is really hard for the first couple of weeks,” Brauning says. Infant pacifiers have different nipple shapes: Some are flatter, which manufacturers claim may be better for orthodontic issues, and some are rounder, shaped more like the nipple on a bottle. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Children in the study who didn’t use pacifiers continuously had about one-third fewer ear infections than those who did use them. The pros and cons of pacifier use are nearly even. Potential Problems with Breastfeeding If given a pacifier too early in life, it can potentially cause nipple confusion and issues with your baby’s latch while breastfeeding. Additionally, pacifiers dipped in sugar, honey, juice or sweetened drinks, can lead to tooth decay. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. The Pros and Cons of Using a Pacifier Babies are born with a strong suck reflex. One compromise: Limit pacifier use to naps and bedtime, rather than allowing baby to suck on it all day. Use the appropriate size pacifier for your child. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Altmann T, et al., eds. Babies aren’t dummies: If something feels good, they’re going to keep doing it. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). You should also know the pros of using a pacifier. • Distracts from stressful stimuli. Head here to read about pacifier weaning techniques. Pacifier Cons A pacifier can cause nipple confusion in the early days after birth. Pacifiers can also assist in reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Continue scrolling to keep reading Click the button below to start this article in quick view. This content does not have an Arabic version. The Cons 1. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. 460x345_hw_pacifier.png. Pros Comfort. It’s impossible to discuss the pros and cons of pacifier use without considering the emotional impact of pacifiers. Using a pacifier comes with both benefits and downsides, according to the Academy of General Denistry (AGD). Some babies suck their thumb or fingers.