The use of a pacifier is a decision that parents face when their baby is born. Will my baby use a pacifier? It is a widely used supplement that has its benefits, but prolonged use can also cause problems, so it is important to choose the best pacifier for your baby and use it correctly .
On the one hand, the use of the pacifier is related to oral malformations if it is used beyond 24 months, and to interfere with the establishment of breastfeeding if it is offered before the month of life.
Other problems with the use of the pacifier continued for too long is that it increases the risk of suffering infections in the middle ear or even having difficulties to pronounce some words or sounds. It is advisable to withdraw it progressively after 24 months and definitively at 36 months.
But on the other hand, it also has its benefits. It reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), calms pain, anxiety and crying, reduces stress and helps sleep. In addition, for those children who have not developed the sucking reflex well, the pacifier is very useful. It is also a less dangerous option for the baby than thumb sucking. They can be easily sterilized and are made of a less hard material, so the child does not hurt, neither in the mouth nor on the fingers.
According to Clara Motos, DosFarma pharmacist ” there is no problem with our baby using it. However, it should not depend on it and the ideal is to stop using it before the age of three. Therefore, it is best not to resort to to him too often and not accustom the child to use it if he does not miss it “
How to choose the perfect pacifier for your baby
Choosing a safe pacifier
It is very important to buy a safe pacifier for the baby and therefore, it must comply with the standards set by the Spanish Association for Standardization and Certification (AENOR), which include minimum safety measures:
- Have rounded edges.
- Have a ring or puller to be able to remove it from the mouth.
- The nipple should not measure more than 3.3 centimeters.
- The base should not be so large that the child can put it all in his mouth.
- They should be solid so that no small pieces come loose.
- They should not have stickers or labels.
- The disc on which the nipple is located must have ventilation holes.
- They must be made in one piece, pacifiers with several pieces can break and pose a danger to children, who could swallow one of them.
Choose the most suitable type of nipple
The nipple is the most important element. As the baby grows, you have to adapt the size and type of nipple. We can find:
- Anatomical nipples: they are the ones that best simulate the mother’s nipple, so they are the most suitable option for the little ones.
- Physiological nipples: they are flatter and symmetrical. Its objective is no longer to simulate the nipple, but to avoid pressing the palate excessively. They are best suited for older children, between 6 and 18 months.
- Round nipples: they are the best known. They are totally spherical, so they have the same shape from all angles. They are always well placed, so they are comfortable for when the child is sleeping, for example, since it does not matter if he turns it over accidentally.
Choose the material
They must be made of latex or silicone. Although the two options are equally valid, they have different characteristics that make them suitable for different ages:
- Silicone: it is a very resistant and rigid material. It withstands high temperatures well and does not absorb odors or flavors. It is less flexible than latex, so it can be damaged if cut. Therefore, it is more recommended for babies who still do not have teeth.
- Latex: it is softer and more elastic than silicone. It is also very resistant, but it does retain odors. Being more flexible, it is a better option for when the first teeth have come in.
How to use the pacifier properly
Use it at specific moments
It is necessary to try that the child does not depend on it and that it uses it as little as possible.
Have several spare
We will prevent the child from crying or getting angry for having lost his pacifier. In addition, this will make it more difficult for her to become attached to one in particular , which will make it easier to take it off when the time comes.
Do not hang it around the neck
It is dangerous to use a rope or cord to hang the pacifier around the baby’s neck, as there may be a risk of suffocation . If the one we buy brings a necklace, you have to take it off.
A more suitable option is the clamp, although you must always watch that it does not come off the child’s clothes and can swallow them.
Do not cover it with sweet substances
Although in the past many mothers have sweetened the pacifier with sugar, honey or condensed milk, this does not mean that it is well done, since it greatly increases the risk of future cavities, in addition to not favoring the development of the sense of taste.
Always keep it clean
We must always make sure that the pacifier is clean before giving it to the baby. It is best to boil it or wash it in the dishwasher if the child is younger than six months, as their immune system is still in the making. From seven months it can be washed well with soap and water.
In general, sterilization is not necessary if we have drinking water, except babies with a higher risk of gastrointestinal infection , such as premature babies, very low-weight babies or those who are immunocompromised.
Also before the first use after purchase, it is advisable to sterilize or boil it.
Change it regularly
Not only because it can break and spoil, but because it must be adapted to the baby’s needs. Normally, the ideal is to change it every month and a half or two months .
In Babies and more | How to help my child give up the pacifier
