A pacifier is a sucking object that is given to babies. The babies are born with the sucking reflex that is vital for them to derive nourishment from the mother’s breasts. The intent behind the use of a pacifier is to teach the baby to self-soothe. The act of sucking provides great comfort for the baby. If a pacifier is not given, most babies learn to suck upon their thumbs to derive self-soothing.It may happen, however, the baby may not pick up this habit and so it could be trained to use a pacifier. This is a sure way to gift the baby a mechanism of self-soothing.
In case you do not want a pacifier for your baby, just leave the instructions with the nurse during your delivery. In case of any confusion, please consult with the doctor. But here are some questions that commonly crop up with regards to pacifier usage.
Common FAQS regarding usage:
Given below are the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
Q1: Is pacifier an appropriate option for self-soothing?
Ans: It is definitely a good option for self-soothing though many experts claim that allowing the baby to suck on the thumb is better. But sucking the thumb is entirely the baby’s choice. As long as the pacifier is not used as a substitute for nurturing and nutrition, it is fine. Giving a pacifier should be done by the parents and/or guardians alone. Many times, siblings offer the pacifier to babies to calm them at any time without realizing what the baby wants. Keep the pacifier clean and hygienic. If these things are taken care of, the pacifier is perfectly fine to be used.
Q2: Sucking thumb VS. Pacifier- Which is better?
Ans: This is a debate that rages on and on. The pacifier is helpful for babies that are particularly troublesome. When you face an unhappy baby, there seems no respite other than giving it a pacifier. You could get the baby to suck on its thumb but many believe that thumb sucking is a habit that the baby will find hard to give up because the thumb is always present. That disadvantage turns into an advantage at nights when the baby loses the pacifier. At such times, it can easily find its thumb and get calm instead of howling on because it is unable to locate the pacifier. Again, the thumb seems a more hygienic option as the baby grows older. Some claim that the thumb tastes better but that is best left for the baby to decide!
Q3: Does pacifier hinder with breastfeeding?
Ans: According to research and the wisdom of Dr.Fern Hauck, M.D (who is a prominent member in the task force for the American Academy of Pediatrics), pacifier usage does not hinder with breastfeeding in any way. In fact, Dr.Fern, who specializes in SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) cases, says that using a pacifier reduces the baby’s risk to SIDS. The best way to ensure that breast feeding is successful and the baby does not suffer nipple-confusion with the pacifier, is to introduce the pacifier about 3-4 weeks after birth, when the breastfeeding habit has been well established. The actual hindering factors for breastfeeding are early introduction to supplemental baby food and mothers returning to work!
Q4: Till what age pacifiers can be used?
Ans: The best period to terminate the use of pacifiers would be before the baby turns two. By the time the baby is about 20 months old, it would have started to crawl around and become an explorer! This is a stage when the pacifier usage would turn unhygienic. Also, the baby needs its mouth for its exploration. The pacifier would become a big limiter for the baby’s exploration needs. Another important reason to wean away babies at this age is because its memory till this age is only short term and it will not have strong memories and associations with the pacifier. It will get tough to get the babies to give up pacifiers once they grow.
Q5: How to terminate pacifiers use by babies?
Ans: This is the logically ultimate question! Once the time comes for the pacifier to be given up, start ignoring the baby’s pleas for the pacifier. Shower love and concern instead. Start looking out for more options to comfort the little one. Use the pacifier only in conditions of extreme stress and reward the child for every pacifier-free day it spends. Do not make the pacifier an integral part of the child’s kit. At the same time, do not scold or humiliate the child for seeking a pacifier. The withdrawal must be done gradually.
