Sucking is a natural instinct that babies and all of us know that pacifiers are one way to satisfy that need and maybe the best !.

If your baby likes pacifiers, they'll be wonderful assistants to you and to your baby. Are pacifiers good for babies? Opinions vary. In this blog, we will share with you the benefits and risks of using a pacifier.


What are the benefits of pacifiers?

Besides making the kid so adorable, pacifiers can be very beneficial for both, parents and babies. Here, we will learn more about these benefits:

  • Soothe the crying fussy kid: some kids be happy and calm while sucking on anything, so a pacifier may help calm the crying kid. This advantage could be very useful for you especially at night or when you are in a public place.
  • Help the baby fall asleep: may the pacifiers rescue you when your baby has difficulty getting sleep or sleeping well. Sucking makes him sleep faster!.
  • Pacifiers are a temporary distraction: pacifiers will help you to distract your baby when you want !.
  • Reduce the risk of SIDS: experts suggest pacifiers to reduce sudden infant death syndrome especially if they suck into a pacifier while their sleeping. 
  • Protect against earache during a flight: Sucking on the pacifier protects the baby from earache just such as food. 
  • Weaning your child from sucking his fingers will be easier: if your kid is addicted to sucking his fingers, it becomes hard to stop him at a certain age so a pacifier may rescue you again and make it easier to wean off this habit.

Read about: The Best Teethers to Soothe Teething Pain.

What are the risks of pacifiers?

Pacifiers have some risks as well. These risks are as follows:

  • Full depend on the pacifier: If your baby has a habit of sucking a pacifier while sleeping, you may face a middle-of-the-night crying when the pacifier falls out of his mouth !.
  • Increase the risk of middle ear infections: the bad side of using a Pacifier is that it might increase the risk of middle ear infections. However, the rates of middle ear infections are lower than the risk of SIDS which pacifiers prevent to happen during the first 6 months. 
  • Dental problems: Unfortunately, in the case of using pacifiers for more than two years, you have to know that they will cause dental problems for your child. for example, using a pacifier can cause a lot of changes in the roof of the mouth, affect the proper growth, and the alignment of teeth.  
  • May interfere with breastfeeding: This happens specifically when your child is less than one month of age. So, it’s better to wait until you have settled into a nursing routine and your baby learns to breastfeed well. Also, you have to feed your baby before giving the pacifier to calm him.

If you want to buy the best Pacifier for your baby, click here to see different colors and designs !

Pacifier Do’s And Don’ts

  • Don't use a pacifier as the first offer: a pacifier is not the first line of defense, sometimes rocking, holding, or even singing can calm the crying baby. Also, you have to check if the baby needs to change his diapers or if he is hungry or not before giving the pacifier to him. Hence, It's better to offer it only after or between feedings. 

  • Use a one-piece pacifier because the pacifiers which are made of two pieces can choking hazards if they break.

  • Don't force your baby to get the pacifier in case he is not interested in it.

  • Keep the pacifier clean: you have to boil the pacifier after using it or run it into the dishwasher till the immune system of your baby matures, and then, after your baby gets more than six months, you can easily wash it with soap and water. 

  • Don't put sugar or sweet substances on the pacifier: sugar is dangerous for babies who are less than one year old. 
  • Use the appropriate size of the pacifiers for your child's age: it's better to choose a pacifier with a wide shield that has a hole in it.
  • Don't use ribbons to attach the pacifier, this can strangle your baby.
  • Don't use pacifiers after four years old, and the risk of pacifiers starts after two years of age.

Babies start sucking while they are 14 weeks in their mother’s womb. So, sucking is an instinct that babies are born with. if you are a new mom or mom-to-be, pacifiers are one of the most alluring accessories that could be bought for your baby, and using it or not is a decision up to you. Some babies love to suck their fingers while others enjoy sucking on a pacifier. However pacifiers are assistants to you to calm your baby, they come with their benefits and flows. While using a pacifier is a decision, don’t force your baby to get a pacifier if he/she doesn’t want it.