Pros, Cons, and Alternatives for Soothing Babies

Babies possess an instinctive sucking reflex, which can be one of their first self-soothing tools.

Pacifiers are intended to satisfy this instinctual need and keep babies calm. But just like bottles, pacifiers have their own benefits and drawbacks, so it's essential that you consider all factors before using one.

Pro: Helps with Pain Management

Pacifiers in the NICU or hospital setting can help babies cope with pain, especially during procedures. For instance, sucking on a pacifier coated with sugar may reduce the discomfort of spinal taps or injections.

Pacifiers can offer comfort during visits to the pediatrician or dentist. To get the most out of these services, ask your healthcare provider for their recommendations.

A pacifier can aid oral motor development and sucking coordination, especially for babies who have had difficulties eating due to medical issues such as premature birth or Down syndrome. It also helps prevent ear infections and makes air travel more comfortable for kids; studies have even found that babies who wear their pacifier in their ears while flying are less likely to get these infections and other problems related to flying. One study even found that babies wearing a pacifier were much more likely to get recommended vaccines and behave better overall on airplanes. Finally, using a pacifier may alleviate postpartum depression while increasing milk production - just for starters!

Con: May Lead to Dependency

Pacifiers can be a wonderful way to relax and comfort your baby, but they may also lead to dependency. That's why medical experts suggest weaning a child off of a pacifier around 6 months old.

Dependency can be a serious problem and even dangerous. For example, if your child becomes dependent on a pacifier, they may start waking up every time it goes missing. This could lead to you having to get up at night trying to put it back in his mouth - something which you certainly do not want!

Another major drawback of pacifiers is they can lead to dental issues. Sucking on a pacifier may cause your teeth to become misaligned and even impair speech or eating abilities.

Many parents worry about the long-term consequences of pacifier use on their child's oral health. Fortunately, research has demonstrated that when used for two to three years old, pacifiers do not cause any negative effects to oral health.

Pro: Helps with Sleep

If your baby has a strong suckling reflex, using a pacifier can help them relax and fall asleep quickly. They also promote development by stimulating tongue growth as well as the lips and cheeks.

According to some research, using a pacifier can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by up to half. This effect is especially notable during the first six months of life.

Pacifiers can also be beneficial for babies who experience stomach upset or difficulty sleeping. According to Welch, "pacifiers help babies with tummy ache or an uncomfortable diaper get to bed faster and eliminate that pesky 2:00am feed that's no longer biologically necessary,"

Many parents may feel as if pacifiers are the only way to soothe their fussy baby. But there are other alternatives that allow your little one to self-soothe without using one.

Once your child has learned how to self-soothe without the aid of a pacifier, they can transition away from needing it for daytime or nighttime sleep - an incredible benefit! If you would like help with this transition, I offer step-by-step sleep training so your little one can learn how to sooth themselves without using a pacifier.

Con: May Lead to Ear Infections

Ear infections are usually caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses and can affect both middle (otitis media) and outer ears (otitis externa). They can range in severity from mild to severe and last anywhere from a few days up to a week.

A cold or flu is often responsible for ear infections in children. When the upper respiratory system becomes inflamed and swollen, it prevents the Eustachian tube from draining fluid into the middle ear.

Another common cause of ear infections in children is allergies. Allergies to pollen, dust, animal dander or food can swell and block the Eustachian tube due to allergens.

If your child has an ear infection, their doctor can usually diagnose the condition and administer antibiotics to eliminate bacteria that caused it.

Your doctor is likely to prescribe a course of antibiotics, which can be taken orally or intravenously (intravenous). If your child has had an ongoing ear infection for some time, the provider may also suggest getting a CT scan to make sure the infection hasn't spread from other parts of the body.

If your child has an ear infection, the best course of action is to adhere to the treatment instructions your doctor gives you and ensure that they get plenty of rest. Sleeping and resting help build up a stronger immune system which in turn helps combat infection in the body.

Pro: Helps with Development

The pacifier is an invaluable tool to help babies sleep or relax. It can also be utilized to prevent tears during feedings or other times when there may be discomfort for a baby.

Research has demonstrated that using a pacifier during gavage feeds (when nutrients are delivered up the nose) has helped preemies thrive. It also helps ease pain associated with immunizations or going to an unfamiliar place.

Additionally, tongue and lip movements during tummy time or other gross motor milestones can help protect a baby's safety. These side-to-side motions of her jaw, tongue and lips are crucial for optimal oral motor development.

However, if a pacifier is misused improperly, it could do more harm than good. Prolonged usage may lead to misaligned teeth, an indented roof of the mouth, increased gum tissue and protruding tongue - all things that could lead to serious dental issues. Furthermore, sucking on a pacifier increases the likelihood of middle ear infection as well as speech and language development issues.

Con: May Lead to Nipple Confusion

Nipple confusion, also known as nipple preference, can occur in new babies when they are given bottles or pacifiers before breastfeeding has taken hold. The shape of a bottle's or pacifier's nipple differs from that of the breast's, and so does its milk flow pattern.

Nipsle confusion can cause your baby to have difficulty latching onto the breast and may even refuse to feed. This can be frustrating for both you and your little one, as it limits breastfeeding opportunities.

Nipple confusion is not a widespread issue, but it can occur if your baby has not fully adjusted to breastfeeding and hasn't had enough practice using the correct mouth movements for feeding.

Many lactation experts advise waiting until your baby is 4 weeks old and nursing well. If you do decide to use a bottle, paced feedings can help slow the flow of milk and prevent nipple confusion.

Swaddling, white noise machines and soothing music are some of the alternatives for soothing your baby. These methods can reduce their startle reflex and may enable them to sleep longer at night.

Pro: Helps with Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding can be an amazing experience, but it also exhausting - particularly during the first weeks. With no time for breaks or naps when your little one needs constant feedings, taking a shower or nap is unlikely.

Pacifiers can help soothe babies during feedings. Not only do they bring some extra comfort to them, but it may even allow you to relax a bit!

Babies are born with an instinctive sucking reflex, so they enjoy sucking on breastmilk. That's why some parents will offer their babies pacifiers during breastfeeding sessions!

However, it's best to avoid pacifiers while breastfeeding. They can make it more challenging for a baby to establish an adequate milk supply and may lead to issues with ear infections.

Instead of giving your baby a pacifier, try giving them a cuddle buddy or stuffed animal to hold. Your little one may feel more secure attached to something comforting, and you can also use soothing white noise during sleep to relax them without the need for a pacifier.

If you choose to use a pacifier for your baby, be sure to inspect it regularly for cracks or weak spots and throw it away when they outgrow it. Doing this will prevent them from choking on something they shouldn't and from accidentally swallowing pieces of it.

When making this decision, take into account your child's personality and their sensitivity to change. Some children will adjust quickly while others might need extra time and support to adjust.

It's essential to recognize that transitioning from a paci to a food tube can be stressful for many babies, so exercise patience and understanding. If your little one is upset or crying, try giving them a bath or taking them on a walk as distractions.

Weaning from a pacifier can take days or even weeks, but the effort pays off in the end. Start by making small changes such as taking away the pacifier at bedtime and restricting it to naptime only. Reward your baby with something small like a special toy or snack in exchange for their good behavior; these rewards will eventually build up into bigger rewards!