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Should You Give Your Child a Pacifier?

Modified on June 17, 2022 at 10:38 PM

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For many parents, a pacifier seems to work like magic. It’s a quick way to soothe your child when you turn to comfort them. 

However, many parents often wonder if it’s okay to give their baby a pacifier. After all, the internet is full of conflicting opinions and information about pacifier use. 

While there’s no denying pacifiers work well for crying babies, there can be a few potential pitfalls to be aware of when introducing one.

Here’s what to know about giving your little one a pacifier.

The Top Concerns of Pacifier Use

Every child is unique with their individual needs and abilities. Some may go back and forth between breastfeeding and pacifier use without problems. Meanwhile, others may experience significant challenges with pacifiers.

Some of the main concerns with pacifiers include nipple confusion, low milk supply and dental health. 

Difficulty Breastfeeding

One of the main considerations of pacifier use is the issues that may occur during breastfeeding. The sucking techniques between breastfeeding and an artificial nipple are different. 

Although sucking is an instinct within newborns, it’s still a skill they need to develop over time. Therefore, differences in nursing and pacifier use can lead to frustration and breast refusal, especially when babies are still new. 

Another result it can lead to is poor latching, which can be painful for the breastfeeding mother. When the baby’s learned sucking technique leads to ineffective breastfeeding, it can result in low milk supply and weight loss.

However, introducing a pacifier at the right time can be key to avoiding breastfeeding complications.

Dental Health

Many parents’ concerns stem from the dental impact their baby can receive when using a pacifier. However, pacifiers only become an issue with prolonged use. Once they age into their toddler years, the continued use can be linked to recurrent ear infections. 

If the child is still reliant on a pacifier by four, they can experience permanent teeth damage. That’s because this is the age where their adult teeth start to grow.

Therefore, they may have problems with misaligned teeth and changes in their jaw or the roof of their mouth. 

An anterior open bite is one of the most common dental effects in older children. This issue is where a gap occurs between the front upper and lower teeth. 

When to Introduce a Pacifier to Your Baby

If you’re thinking of introducing a pacifier to your baby, the best time for it is when they’re used to breastfeeding. Normally, this occurs around three to four weeks after they’re born.

Yet, keep in mind that your milk supply depends entirely on your baby’s suckling. So if your baby spends too much time with the pacifier, this means less time on the breast. In turn, too little stimulation may decrease your milk supply.

When and How to Wean

Once you start giving your baby a pacifier, it’s a good idea to have a plan for when you’ll ditch it. The best point in time is when they start approaching their second birthday. After that point, they’ll be better off learning how to soothe themselves in new ways.

With binkies, it helps to keep the use down in moderation. Weaning occurs best when you instill limits. If you like how the pacifier works, it’s perfectly fine to restrict usage to napping and fussy times. 

If your child has a hard time weaning off the binky by age two, you could try using an orthodontic-friendly version to limit dental risks. Or, you could offer a transitional object to replace the binky. 

For instance, a favorite blanket or stuffed animal may work as a security item and help them self-soothe.

Pros and Cons of Pacifiers

At the first sign of a whimper, you may be quick to pop the pacifier in to your baby’s mouth. But first, it helps to take these pros and cons into consideration.

Pacifier pros:

  • Decreases the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome): The theory with a pacifier is that it may open up the airway in your baby’s mouth and nose, ensuring enough oxygen.
  • Serves as a quick distraction: Many parents rely on pacifiers as a quick way to soothe their baby. For instance, if they get a shot at the doctor or their ears start popping on the plane, the pacifier can quickly calm crying babies.
  • Helps babies learn how to self-soothe: Your baby may learn how to get to sleep faster or fall asleep independently.

Pacifier cons:

  • May become attached: A pacifier can be a tough habit to break, especially when they reach the toddler years.
  • It can be a bad habit for you: Soothing your baby with a pacifier at every first sign of an outburst may make you overlook the real reason they’re crying. As a result, the baby may only be happy when something is in their mouth — and may be unable to comfort themselves in other ways.
  • May result in less sleep for all: Babies who use pacifiers each night to sleep may not know how to sleep independently. Therefore, if the baby loses the binky in the middle of the night, they might fuss — requiring you to wake up and get it for them.

Should You Give Your Child a Pacifier?

If your baby gets fussy or needs help falling asleep, pacifiers can be essential when in need. You know what’s best for your child despite the positives and negatives. Therefore, it’s up to you to make that decision.

However, if you think it would help, try one to see how it works.

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Posted By The Fashionable Housewife
on June 17, 2022 at 10:38 PM
Filed Under: Baby Gear, Breastfeeding
Tagged With: Breastfeeding, milk supply, newborn, newborns, pacifiers

About The Fashionable Housewife

Sarah-Jean Ballard is the Editor in Chief of The Fashionable Housewife blog and Founder of Fashionable Media. Married to a sexy Molecular Biologist, housewife, mom to 5, homeschooler, Certified Personal Nutritionist and entrepreneur who's mission is to help moms just like you look and feel GREAT! Other interests include dancing, yoga, positive intactivism, natural birth and breastfeeding support, babywearing, paleo & gluten-free cooking, and promoting an overall healthy lifestyle to all.

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Sarah-Jean Ballard

Hi! I’m Sarah-Jean. I’m a Christian, the wife of a handsome Molecular Biologist, and the homeschooling mother of 5 beautiful kids!

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You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

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The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

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Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

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The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

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You do not find a happy life. You make it. 

That’s the biggest lesson that grief has taught me. If I just wait around to be happy again, I’ll die sad. 

You don’t get through grief and come out the other side. That’s not how it works. You learn how to grow around it like a tree grows around a rock that’s in the way. You don’t wait for the rock to move. Cause it’s not gonna. 

Choose happy. And then make it happen. 

#choosehappy #joyinthejourney #griefjourney #healingfromtrauma
8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favor 8 billion smiles in the world, but his is my favorite. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, @daeinexplains 🥰

The last 20 years with you have been my favorite years on this earth. ❤️ 

If I did anything right in my life, it was when I decided to give my heart to you.  You are my best friend, my soul mate, my better half, my rock, my everything. 

I love you.

#couplegoals #marriedlife #motherhoodthroughinstagram #weddingday #marriagegoals #yourestilltheone
Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍ Kids love helping if you just let them!💁🏼‍♀️

This little guy always asks to help when he sees me cleaning the house, washing the floors, doing laundry, or emptying the dishwasher. That’s what I love about Montessori parenting - it allows kids to do  big jobs and in turn makes them eager to help! 

He was over the moon when we gave him the @lovevery floor mop that actually works! He uses it daily now. The mopping pad is machine washable and you can refill the fluid container on it. I usually just do water and a drop of essential oils because he loves it when everything smells clean! 😜 

Definitely recommend! If you want to grab this mop for your little helper, it’s in the Storyteller Play Kit from Lovevery for 3 year olds. 

LlNK is in my bio to get FREE shipping! 💃🏼

#lovevery #loveverytoddler #loveverypartner #montessoriathome #montessoriplayroom #montessoritoddler
Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hol Stop trying to fit your square self in a round hole. 

Sometimes we outgrown relationships. Sometimes we realize someone else isn’t a good influence on our lives. Sometimes we realize we aren’t a good influence for someone else. Sometimes we need to let things go that aren’t good for us in order to grow. And that’s ok. 

Stop trying to sit at a table you are no longer welcome at. Just be yourself, focus on God, love your family and friends, and the right people will gravitate to you. ✌🏻 

#raisingsaints #momlife #motherhoodunplugged #selflovejourney #growingpains #selfcaresunday
When your toaster breaks from a power surge you ta When your toaster breaks from a power surge you take that as a sign that it’s time to upgrade! 🤪

It wasn’t hard to pick a new 4 slice toaster. As soon as I saw this one from @haden_usa I added it to my cart. I bought it from @lordandtaylor because it had the fastest shipping and I didn’t want to wait! 

No fancy electronics, screens, or extra features we don’t need. Just simple, straight forward functions and perfect results everytime. Plus it matches all my @cafeappliances too! 😂👍🏻

What do you think of this 4 slice toaster?! 

#toasters #kitchenappliances #kitchendesign #kitchendecor #whitekitchen #farmhousekitchen #farmhousestyle #whiteappliances
I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @en I’m obsessed with these leather booties from @enjoiya! 💃🏼 

The “Steffi” in green are the perfect boots for ushering in spring weather with their delicious vintage leather and worn-in look right out of the box. I love the chunky lug soles and inside zippers to get them on and off easily. 

These are the boots you’ll want to wear again and again. And again. 

Use my coupon code BALLARD20 to get 20% off your order! Find them on www.enjoiya.com

#leatherbooties #enjoiya #italianshoes #realmomstyle #momstyle #momstyletips
All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with All the poop shoveling doesn’t seem so bad with the prices of eggs right now! 🤪 🐔 🥚 

Guess it’s ok to be a crazy chicken lady and have a homestead now! 🤣

#momlife #crazychickenlady #homesteadlife
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