Pacifiers or No Pacifiers?
Babies are born with a reflex of wanting to suck. Sucking is a comforting, calming and soothing action. This is why babies often suck their thumbs.
Many moms regard pacifiers as a necessity, but is it? Is it natural for babies to be sucking a pacifier all day long? The subject has been debated for a long time with most believing that it is a healthy activity for at least the first year of a baby's life.
Then there is of course also the issue of latex/ silicone and orthodontic/ cherry nipples. Fortunately, there is no right or wrong answer and it all boils down to the preferences of the mother and ultimately, the baby. From our side, silicone is the material of choice and outweighs latex pacifier purchases by about 70% to 30%. Orthodontic nipples are also preferred as it conforms to the shape of the baby's mouth when sucking. Please see the Product FAQs for further information on our products.
ADVANTAGES
|  Sucking on a pacifier will keep a baby content between feedings.
Pacifiers are the best form of distraction when a mom needs time to do something else, like preparing a bottle or a bath.
A pacifier may help your baby go to sleep.
It may sooth and quiet fussy babies down.
Pacifiers may reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). |
DISADVANTAGES
|  Too early pacifier usage may interfere with learning how to breastfeed or suck on a bottle.
Pacifier use may increase the risk of babies getting middle ear infections, although the chances of getting middle ear infections within a baby's first 6 months after birth, is the lowest.
Some babies may get a little dependant on their pacifiers. |
SOME ADVICE
| Wait for your newborn to be comfortable with breastfeeding before trying a pacifier. A good guideline is to wait for your baby to be about 1 month old. |
| Don't force your baby to suck on a pacifier. Try again later or leave the idea for a while. |
| Make sure the pacifier is durable, safe and won't fit in your baby's mouth completely. Some small, low quality brands could be swallowed, especially when the nipple seperates from the shield and handle! All BABY SEA® pacifiers conform to the highest standards. |
| Keep the pacifier clean. The BABY SEA® self-closing pacifier closes when not in use - making it ultra-hygienic! Sterilize your baby's pacifier regularly. |
| Replace worn, cracked or damaged pacifiers. |
| Keep extra pacifiers. Babies sometimes get attached to their brand and may refuse substitutions. |
| Don't fasten a pacifier safety chain on a baby's collar. Attach it lower on his/ her chest. Also, don't use a long chain or string as it poses a strangulation danger. |
| Let your baby sleep. Don't pop a pacifier back into a baby's mouth when he/ she is sleeping. |
| Most toddlers stop using a pacifier between the ages of 2 to 4. |
Read our helpful tips from our mothers. You can add your thoughts and tips by clicking on the "SUBMIT" button and we might host it with our other tips on this web-site.
For Helpful Tips on caring for your infant, click on this link. |
