Yesterday, I started discussing the controversial subject of using pacifiers to sooth babies. Pacifier use may seem second nature to some, but there is a lot of negative opinion as well. It is important to know all of the information, so you can make the best decision about using pacifiers. Also, know that you can decide to create your own plan for pacifier use, such as using them for the first six months, only after a few weeks, etc.
If you missed yesterday’s post on the pros of using pacifiers, you can click here to check it out.
Con
Can be hard to give up. Even though you can toss the pacifier away, don’t expect it to go well. While I got lucky, my experiences were not usual. The longer you rely on the pacifier, the harder it will be to terminate the relationship.
Linked to increased ear infections. A recent study in the medical journal, Family Practice found that there is a definite link between using a pacifier and recurrent ear infections. It could have something to do with the pacifier increasing nasal secretions, or the change in the dental structure of the mouth with a pacifier could also change the tube in the ear, making it more prone to infection.
Some concern about nipple confusion for breast feeding infants. Learning to breast feed can be a difficult experience for many moms and it is possible that using a pacifier can make it more difficult for a couple of reasons. Sucking on a pacifier requires different muscle skills than does getting milk from a breast, so you might want to forgo the pacifier or at least delay it until breast feeding is well established. Also, your infant may not be as motivated to try the breast if he is readily soothed by the pacifier. In my own experience, my kids would take the breast over the pacifier.
Prolonged use may affect the palette and the development of speech. This is a real concern with a number of studies behind it, and especially applies to children who are still using a pacifier past the age of two or three. There is a distinct lisp that has been linked to using pacifiers for a prolonged time.
Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.
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