Babies are born with a sucking instinct that makes pacifiers seem like a natural fit. The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that the parents of up to 85 percent of babies in the Western world give pacifiers to their children. There are many benefits of pacifier use, chief among them the soothing response most babies have to pacifiers. There are also drawbacks, and not every baby wants or needs one, so follow guidelines for the best ages to use pacifiers and look first for alternatives when your baby is fussy.
Soothing
When your baby is fussy it's good to remember that he is processing a lot of information that is sometimes overwhelming. If physical needs are met and cuddling doesn't help, a pacifier is often soothing to a baby. Pacifiers can calm and comfort babies who are anxious or tired, and they may help babies fall asleep. The journal "Paediatrics & Child Health" points out that pacifiers are preferable to thumb sucking because they lessen the risk of problems with the development of teeth later on.
Pain
The use of pacifiers often acts as a natural remedy for pain in babies. For babies who receive minor bumps that are more startling than painful, a pacifier works as a distraction. Offering a pacifier to babies who are given immunizations, have blood drawn or other minor medical work done can help control pain and is recommended by the AAFP.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
While pacifier use has not been proven to prevent sudden infant death syndrome, the AAFP notes that a meta-study linked the use of pacifiers with decreased rates of SIDS and recommends that pacifiers be offered to babies as they are falling asleep. The actual reasons for decreased SIDS rates among babies who use pacifiers are not yet known, but theories that have been advanced include the possibility that pacifiers help keep the airway open and functioning efficiently and may help prevent babies from rolling over to a prone position.
Warning
Never insist that a baby use a pacifier, and if your baby spits her pacifier out while she is sleeping, do not put it back in. Pacifier use is most effective in the first six months. Try to wean your baby from the use of a pacifier after six months and avoid it altogether by the time your baby is 2 years old to help prevent dental problems and ear infections. Sterilize new pacifiers and wash them well after each use to avoid contamination. Never give a baby a damaged or chewed pacifier, which creates a choking hazard.
