Should I give a pacifier when my baby is crying?
This is a common dilemma new parents have after bringing their baby home from the hospital after birth. The decision to use a pacifier or not is largely a parent’s preference. Consider the do’s and don’ts of giving your baby a pacifier, and how to help him or her break the habit.
Here are a few facts
- It’s normal! Sucking on a pacifier, thumb, or fingers is soothing for babies. The need decreases with age.
- Using pacifiers during the first 6 months of life may be beneficial. It reduces parental stress and reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
- If breastfeeding, wait until the baby is 3-4 weeks old before offering a pacifier. Pacifier use does not affect the prevalence or duration of breastfeeding in healthy, term infants up to four months of age.
- Use of the pacifier beyond the first year of life may increase the risk of ear infections. Weaning children from pacifiers in the second six months of life reduces this risk.
- Compared with pacifier use, sucking on fingers and thumbs is more likely to continue up to age 4-5 years.
What should a mom do?
If your baby is fussy, check to see if he/she is hungry, needs a diaper change or simply wants to be held before offering the pacifier.
A few tips on pacifiers:
- Keep it clean. Get a one-piece pacifier that is dishwasher safe and easier to clean.
- Keep it safe. Never tie it around a baby’s neck or hand.
- Know that nipple shape is important. Pacifiers that are broad at the bottom more closely resemble a mother’s breast. Here are some examples of broad-bottom pacifiers from the Lactation Collection
- Is one type or brand better than another? Not really! Try a few to see which one your baby prefers.
- Never force your baby to take a pacifier. Some babies never want or use one.
How to help your child break the sucking habit.
While sucking on fingers or thumbs may continue into age 4-5, most often children will stop on their own or shortly after they start school. Avoid punishment to help break the habit. Instead, offer praise and rewards when they don’t suck on their thumbs.
For additional information and research, check out the following resources: