When And How To Introduce A Pacifier To Your Newborn
- When a babyâs sucking reflex is activated, it lowers the babyâs heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and can even help them cope with pain.
- If youâre bottle-feeding your little one, you can introduce a pacifier right away.
- In order to avoid confusion, only introduce a pacifier to a breastfed baby after a few weeks of successful breastfeeding.
What did parents do before pacifiers? If youâve ever had a crying baby on an airplane or a screaming infant in a waiting room, youâve probably reached for this popular baby item. They are truly a sanity saver when youâve tried everything to soothe your baby.
While some parents swear by pacifier use, others complain that their baby wonât take a pacifier despite their efforts. Those parents might be desperate to find ways to soothe their little ones.
But whatâs the best way to introduce your baby to a pacifier? And how soon is too soon?
If youâre looking to introduce a pacifier to your baby, these tips will help! Weâve outlined all the information you need on how and when to introduce a pacifier.
Should I Get Rid Of The Pacifier
This is a question that doesn’t have a very clear cut answer – everyone’s situation will be different. Generally speaking, the younger your baby is, the easier it will be to get rid of the pacifier. If your little one is older, the better option is usually to keep the dummy and work on helping them to find and replace it themselves.
When Should A Preterm Infant Start Using A Pacifier
Premature babies need to start eating solid foods as soon as possible. This study from 2009 discovered that premature newborns that were given a pacifier were the ones who began oral feeding the quickest. Another fascinating finding from this study was that having premature babies listen to lullaby music helped develop early verbal eating behaviors.
Regardless of the findings of the initial study, you should always seek medical advice before introducing a pacifier to a premature baby.
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Can Newborn Sleep With Pacifier Comprehensive Guide
Pacifiers are a blessing for the parents of fussy newborns but the question is a pacifier safe option for newborns, this is the most common concern I have been used to listen while working in pediatrics, and the simple answer from our side is absolute yes.
Can newborn sleep with pacifier? Yes, newborns can sleep with pacifiers but with some safe practice. moreover, you can use a pacifier harmlessly for your newborn, In the West, about 75 to 85 % of children use pacifiers and it is absolutely fine if you start using them for your newborn at the proper age, utilize them appropriately and effortlessly enabled to get quit.
Studies show that there is a larger number 68% of infants who use pacifiers by the age of 4 months or above found a weight gain. There are some unclear associations between a babys growth and the use of the pacifier.
I can relate to this situation exactly when I was forced to practice binky with my firstborn, he was cranky all the time even after a feed, so I had no choice except to use it. Here in this blog post, you are going to have a comprehensive guide and all possible aspects related to newborn sleep with a pacifier.
When And How Should You Wean Baby Off The Pacifier
From the start, its a good idea to have a plan to ditch the pacifier down the road, once your baby is approaching her second birthday. At this point, the cons will start to outweigh by the pros and your little one will be better off learning new ways to self-soothe.
The bottom line on binkies? Make moderation your motto. If a pacifier works for you and your baby, don’t hesitate to use it, especially at sleep times as recommended and at fussy times, when your baby really seems to need relief … and so do you.
Give one a try, too, if your little one has such a strong need for sucking that your nipples have become human pacifiers, or if your baby is taking too much formula because shes not happy without a nipple in her mouth.
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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Can She Use A Pacifier While She Sleeps
Like lullabies, bedtime stories, and that adorable pink giraffe sleep sack, binkies can make wonderful bedtime companions for your little one and you.
You might think to turn to a pacifier to calm your babys cries, but pacifiers also come in handy when she isnt cryingas a part of her sleepytime routine. In fact, many parents turn to pacifiers to help their babies doze off .
If youve already introduced your little one to the paci, theres no reason to avoid using it for bedtime. Bedtime pacifier use has been supported by several medical studies and comes with a strong recommendation from the Academy of American Pediatrics.
The reason why goes beyond the pacifiers ability to promote suckling and foster a sense of calmness. Bedtime binkie use has proven instrumental in preventingSIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndromethe unexplained death of an infant under 1-year-old.
Why Are Pacifiers Such A Big Deal
As with most things related to newborns, using a pacifier can come with pluses and minuses. If your newborn is taking one , its probably their favorite go-to accessory. And while thoughts of braces in your babys future run through your head, youre probably more than a little thrilled that it soothes their crying.
Ahh, enjoy that silence. But then worry pops back into your head because you wonder if this carefree sucking might be habit-forming or interfering with feedings.
Your baby loves the pacifier, but is it healthy?
Go ahead and pop that pacifier back into juniors mouth. Not only is it super cute to see baby sucking away, the paci is also good for them and you in more ways than one.
Pacifiers have endless nicknames including soothers, dummies, binkies, soo soos, and buttons. But whatever you call them, youre probably aware that pacifiers can bring joy to your little bundle of joy . As the names suggest, pacifiers help soothe and calm babies.
Sucking is a normal reflex in newborn babies. In fact, it begins even before birth. It helps your baby practice feeding from the breast or a bottle. Sucking without feeding called non-nutritive sucking is also natural for babies.
So pacifiers are popular for good reason. In Western countries, up to
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Is It Safe To Keep The Pacifier On When The Baby Is Asleep
Yes, it is safe to use a pacifier during bedtime. Bedtime can refer to the time of any naps, during the day or the night. Consistency is key in this regard, as the pacifier will have to be used at all bedtimes. Making sure that some basic guidelines are followed, a pacifier will go a long way in peace of mind for the parents.
When using a pacifier make sure that the following guidelines are followed.
What Is The Best Type Of Pacifier For Newborns
Dentists often note that orthodontic pacifiers are the best pacifiers to use for newborns and babies. Orthodontic pacifiers are designed to cause the least amount of damage to a babyâs developing mouth. Their design supports a babyâs palate and creates less abnormal pressure on their teeth and jaw than a regular pacifier.
The best pacifier for your little one is also the pacifier that fits their mouth. Pacifiers come in different sizes, and itâs important to choose the right size. This will ensure it correctly fits in the mouth and doesnât cause damage.
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What Is The Best Way To Get An Infant To Sleep
A: It is critical to pay attention to and recognize your newborns sleep cues despite the difficulty. This will allow you to immediately determine whether they are hungry, dirty, or ready to sleep. Time is essential since your newborn will get overtired and agitated as their waking window closes. This can significantly impact the quality of sleep your baby gets.
For The Dreamiest Sleepsneakpeek
Pacifiers can be your best bud if youre looking for extra sleepytime support. They can help ease your little one into a restful slumber so you can establish a healthy sleep routine. Plus, an easier bedtime means youll have more time to recharge, refresh, and finally crack open that novel you picked for book club.
If youre looking for another tool you can use to establish a healthy sleep routine and set your child up for a lifetime of sleep success, look no further than SneakPeek.
The SneakPeek Infant & Toddler DNA Traits Test is a non-invasive, easy-to-use at-home test that empowers you with key DNA-based insights into your little ones sleep behavior and preferences. Through genetic mapping, we can reveal your newborns sleep:
- Chronotype Whether he naturally likes to stay up late or wake up early.
- Duration The total amount of time your little dreamer should sleep.
- Latency The amount of time it takes for him to drift off into dreamland.
- Efficiency The amount of time he actually spends snoozing away.
With these science-backed results , youll be able to craft sleep schedules and sleep environments that will help your newborn thrive. All you need is a swab of your childs mouth, and SneakPeek® can help you build better sleep habitswith or without the binkie.
This post has been reviewed for accuracy by the following medical professional:
Katie Phillips, MSN, CNM, APRN
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Additional Guidance For Step 9
Professionals working on safe sleep initiatives often ask BFUSA to clarify the designation criteria related to pacifier use. Step 9 of BFUSAs Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria states that breastfed infants should not be given pacifiers by hospital staff and that mothers who request pacifiers for their infants should be educated about how pacifier use could affect the success of breastfeeding. Early and frequent breastfeeding in the newborn period is essential to build up a mothers milk supply. Pacifier introduction too early in the breastfeeding relationship may interfere with this important biological process and mask potential breastfeeding problems.
BFUSAs GEC is in alignment with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation for pacifier use found in the 2012 AAP Policy Statement: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk and the AAP SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment , both of which recommend that mothers of healthy term infants be instructed to use pacifiers at infant nap or sleep time after breastfeeding is well established, at approximately 3 to 4 weeks of age. While it is acknowledged that the exact timeframe for the establishment of breastfeeding may vary from mother to mother, it rarely occurs during the first 2 days of life.
When Should You Stop Giving Your Baby A Pacifier For Sleep
Experts offer different guidance about when to wean a baby off their pacifier, but most agree that caregivers should stop offering pacifiers between the ages of 6 months and 4 years.
To prevent dental issues, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends eliminating pacifiers once your child is 3 years old. To avoid middle ear infections, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend starting to decrease pacifier use between the ages of 6 and 12 months old. To reduce the chance that a pacifier might interfere with learning to talk, some experts recommend stopping pacifier use when a toddler is 14 months old.
Since the age range in which to eliminate the pacifier is so varied among experts, the parent should decide when it is best to eliminate the pacifier based on the benefits it provides, being mindful not to go past the upper recommended age of 4 years.
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Should My Baby Use A Pacifier#
My answer will always be Its up to you and your little one! There truly is no right or wrong approach when it comes to pacifiers. Some babies never take a pacifier, and thats okay! However, for many babies, pacifiers are helpful tools for comfort and relaxation. Here are the two main reasons I recommend offering a pacifier for newborn sleep.
Cons Of Using A Pacifier
While a pacifier offers your baby â and you â some much-needed comfort, there are some downsides to relying on one:
Nipple confusion. If you choose to breastfeed, it’s important to wait to introduce a pacifier until nursing is well established. Your baby uses a different suckling technique when using a pacifier or bottle versus nursing at the breast.
Suckling on the pacifier is much easier than breastfeeding, which requires more effort and a particular technique to draw milk from the breast. If you introduce a pacifier too soon, it can negatively impact your breastfeeding relationship. Your baby may grow to prefer the pacifier, turning away from nursing because of the effort it requires.
Dental development. Most babies donât have teeth yet, but it’s important to remember that use of a pacifier can impact the alignment of teeth when they do begin to come in. If possible, plan to discontinue the pacifier before it has too much of an impact on your babyâs teeth. While some babies are born with their first teeth, most start teething at around six months.
If your baby develops an overbite as a result of pacifier use, you may need to invest in braces later on in life. Some babies will suck their thumb if a pacifier isnât available, which has similar impacts on dental development.
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What Is Safe Sleep
Safe sleep means putting your baby to sleep in ways that can help protect him from dangers, like choking and suffocation , and sudden infant death syndrome . SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year old. SIDS usually happens when a baby is sleeping. Its sometimes called crib death because the baby often dies in his crib.
Sleeping With A Pacifier Has Risks
Pacifiers may help babies receive the sleep they need, but they can also cause dental problems, ear infections, and oral yeast infections and potentially interfere with nursing.
Middle ear infections are more likely in babies who use pacifiers, but they are usually not a problem until the child reaches the age of 12 months. According to researchers, part of the higher risk can be ascribed to a youngster entering a childcare environment. Parents can lower the number of middle ear infections by limiting using a pacifier to sleep.
The usage of a pacifier can potentially cause a crossbite in which the top and lower teeth do not align properly. However, after the infant quits using it, the problem usually goes away. If the baby stops using it by three, it is unlikely to cause long-term problems.
Pacifiers give significant comfort to many babies, allowing them to satisfy their sucking reflex1 and self-soothe. Parents may be unsure when appropriate for their child to begin sleeping with it. In some circumstances, a newborn baby can start sleeping with it.
While bottle-fed babies can sleep with a pacifier from birth, breastfed babies should wait until they are at least 3 to 4 weeks old and have established a breastfeeding rhythm with no latching concerns before sleeping with one.
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Increases Risk Of Ear Infections
One drawback to using a pacifier is that it seems to increase the risk of infections in the ear. A 2002 review found that babies who used a pacifier had up to 3 times the risk of ear infections than babies who did not use a pacifier. However, it was also found that the risk increased with an increase in pacifier use.
This risk may increase with the babyâs age. Babies under 6 months of age have lower cases of ear infections, to begin with. This might be the best time to use a pacifier without major risks of ear infections.