Over the last several years, pacifiers have become extremely popular, replacing the sugar rags of the nineteenth century as well as the hard teething rings that came later on. Also called "binkies" or "soothers," these rubber, plastic or silicone nipples provide babies with both comfort and distraction. Parents often give babies pacifiers to help them go to sleep, to prevent fussiness during medical procedures or to otherwise keep them occupied. Today's pacifiers are made with a mouth shield and a handle designed to prevent babies from swallowing them. Many pediatricians feel that pacifiers help reduce cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by keeping a baby's mouth occupied with something that cannot be swallowed.
What to Look for
Pacifiers come in many shapes and designs, with nipple dimensions that conform to various mouth sizes. A good pacifier helps a baby's tongue, jaw and palate develop in a natural manner. Some pacifiers are made with a flexing action that simulates the motion of a mother's nipple while nursing, giving the infant the sensation of being at the breast. When buying a pacifier, look for ventilation holes in the base, which keeps it from collecting moisture around the baby's mouth. Before your baby uses a pacifier for the first time, wash it in soap and water, and wait until it dries thoroughly. Periodic soaking in white vinegar diluted with water helps prevent the pacifier from collecting fungus. Make sure you rinse and dry it thoroughly after this procedure. Buy several identical pacifiers that you replace often. A baby will gravitate to the same style and may become temperamental if you change pacifier models.
Common Pitfalls
Avoid pacifiers with bases that block a baby's nasal passages. Never use a string or a strap with a pacifier, since either can get caught around a baby's neck, causing her to choke. Replace your baby's pacifier often, since a worn-out nipple can break off in the baby's mouth, creating a myriad of problems if your baby swallows it. Introduction of a pacifier too early in a baby's life can interfere with her healthy attitude toward breastfeeding, sometimes leading the baby to prefer the pacifier to her mother's nipple. Do not dip a pacifier into sweet solutions such as syrup or honey since this can cause cavities in newly emerging teeth. Babies can become dependent on pacifiers if they use them too often, so be judicious about their use. Don't pop a pacifier back into a sleeping baby's mouth if she spits it out.
Some pediatricians claim that overuse of pacifiers is related to middle ear infections. It is also proposed that delayed speech development can be caused by the constant presence of a pacifier in a baby's mouth, preventing him from making sounds fundamental to the formation of words. Know when to stop giving your baby a pacifier. Usually between the ages 2 and 4 years is a good time to wean him off the pacifier and into more age-appropriate behavior.
