Babies who use pacifiers have different needs at different stages of development. In the early months of life, a pacifier should resemble a nipple to make breastfeeding easier. As children develop teeth, however, it's important that pacifier shapes change to protect developing oral structures. Pediatricians generally recommend switching to stage two pacifiers at age 6 months, but you should look for other signs of readiness before changing your child's pacifier.
Anatomy of Pacifiers
Stage one pacifiers are typically one solid, round piece. Newborns tend to suck on objects very forcefully, and a pacifier with no detachable parts reduces their choking risks. Stage one pacifiers also encourage children to mimic the sucking motions they make when nursing. In the first year of life, babies' sucking and swallowing motions change dramatically, and stage two pacifiers are designed to work with these changes. The nipple on these pacifiers is broader and less rounded, and stage two pacifiers are generally made of at least two pieces. They also encourage babies to suck less forcefully, which can reduce the risk of injury to developing teeth, according to pediatrician William Sears in his book "The Portable Pediatrician."
Age Considerations
Most pacifier manufacturers and pediatricians recommend that children switch to stage two pacifiers at 6 months. This can vary dramatically with development. Premature babies, babies with developmental delays and babies with health or eating problems may need to wait longer. Consult your pediatrician before switching your child. Generally speaking, you should never switch to stage two before 6 months, even if your child is particularly precocious.
Physical Considerations
Babies should be able to hold up their own heads and should be able to eat pureed baby food before they switch to stage two pacifiers. They should also be able to remove the pacifier from their own mouths, even if doing so takes several minutes of effort. Most pediatricians recommend that children be able to sit up with support before they switch pacifiers, according to the textbook "Child Psychology."
Other Considerations
Parents who exclusively breastfeed should not switch to stage two pacifiers unless advised to do so by their pediatrician. The slight shape change of the pacifier can interfere with proper sucking and thus undermine breastfeeding efforts. Parents should also consider their child's level of interest in pacifiers. Children who only use pacifiers occasionally may be ready to give them up prior to switching to stage two.
References
- Child Psychology; Robin Harwood et al.
- The Portable Pediatrician; William Sears et al.
