When we think of a baby, we immediately picture a little one with a pacifier in their mouth, since it has become characteristic of this stage. But pacifier use is a topic widely discussed among parents and pediatricians, and its use has been decreasing every day due to reports of problems caused by using it.
Pacifier use is related to the sucking reflex that babies have since the womb and which is considered soothing for them. Pacifiers ended up emerging as a way to calm the baby, letting them “nurse” on something during moments of agitation, for example, or even so they don’t continuously nurse at their mother’s breast. As many babies have the habit of only falling asleep while breastfeeding, mothers use this strategy to substitute and help their baby fall asleep, making nighttime sleep easier as well.
However, due to several issues related to babies’ dental development—such as crooked teeth and dental arches caused by pacifier use—the vast majority of pediatricians do not recommend it in order to avoid these future issues. Still, keeping these factors in mind, companies that manufacture baby products have been increasingly developing items that do not hinder or affect the baby’s correct development, including their teeth. But does it really work? Does it not affect the teeth? Nowadays it’s easy to find a wide variety of orthodontic pacifiers that were developed with this concern in mind, respecting oral space and reducing the risk of dental misalignment. It’s important to note that the packaging indicates for each model the appropriate age and nipple size, and it is a recommendation that should be respected due to the size and material of the pacifier.
What Problems Can Pacifier Use Cause?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pacifiers be introduced only from the baby’s 6th month of life. This way, exclusive breastfeeding is not affected during this crucial period. After all, pacifier use—with a nipple different from the mother’s breast—can confuse the baby and disrupt feeding, which may even affect their weight gain, so important at this stage. Another factor pointed out by specialists is the link between pacifier use and frequent ear infections in babies. Prolonged use of pacifiers can lead to middle ear infections or earaches. This happens because pacifiers can serve as a channel for bacteria and possible infections that travel from the throat to the ear canal, which are directly connected. Obviously, other types of infections are also more likely due to contact, such as throat infections and viral illnesses that cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
And the most debated issue among all problems is about dental health. Prolonged pacifier use, especially during the period when baby teeth are being replaced, inevitably affects the growth of permanent teeth, shifting them into incorrect positions in the gums. Babies and children who suck on pacifiers during and after this period will likely require orthodontic treatment to correct their dental arches. Sometimes it can even interfere with the development of the bone structure, such as the jaw and overall face shape.
Pacifier use has also been cited as inhibiting speech and correct language development. This problem can be minimized if pacifier use is restricted to bedtime only. Another point is related to feeding or breastfeeding, which, as mentioned above, can be interrupted or impaired due to the habit. If you choose to give your baby a pacifier, you should follow certain recommendations to reduce the risk of the above problems. For example, always ensure pacifiers are clean and sterilized before offering them to your baby—as well as the cases in which they are stored, ideally once a day, to prevent bacteria from growing. Get rid of worn-out, old, or torn pacifiers, and replace them with new ones suitable for the child’s age. Never dip, rub, or coat the pacifier in foods before giving it to your baby. This can cause cavities and also increase the risk of bacteria proliferating on the pacifier nipple.
Try to set routines for pacifier use—preferably offer it only at bedtime. This way, your baby won’t have a pacifier in their mouth all day, which could interfere with their development and increase the risk of infections, and it will also be easier to wean them off the pacifier when the time comes. Remember, taking away the pacifier is a very challenging moment, just as it is for an adult to break a habit. Changing the routine associated with pacifier use should be done calmly and patiently. Gradually reduce the time your child uses the pacifier, talk to them, and explain how grown-up they are now to continue using it, and if suitable, propose an exchange! Offer a stuffed animal or perhaps a little blanket? The important thing is to show the child that they no longer need the pacifier and can fall asleep peacefully with new habits.
See also: Thumb Sucking – Stop or Allow?
Photos: Quinn Dombrowski, Hamed Saber
