Deciding to introduce an infant to a pacifier is a decision best left to parents, but when asking for expert advice on the matter opinions vary. Some child development experts believe that pacifiers can hinder speech development and the proper growth of teeth. Similarly, proponents of breastfeeding believe that they create “nipple confusion,” a condition that may impact breastfeeding. However, there are others who believe that pacifiers cause no developmental issues at all.
The intended purpose of a pacifier is to help an infant learn to self-soothe. For an infant, sucking is a natural reflex they are born with. While their natural ability to suck is what allows them to feed almost immediately from birth, sucking is a soothing action for many babies.
In some hospitals, a pacifier is introduced in the nursery after delivery. If you decide you do not want your child to use one, you should make your preference known ahead of time. Many babies who never have one simply replace it and find the same comfort by sucking on fingers or thumbs. If you plan to breastfeed, you should consult with a lactose counselor about introducing one.
The primary reason parents hesitate to introduce their children to a pacifier is because of long-term attachment. However, keep in mind that you can choose to use a pacifier for self-soothing during infancy and wean the child from it when you wean them from the bottle or breast. Conversely, some parents fear that their children will become thumb-suckers if they do not have a pacifier and fear it will develop a habit much harder to break.
It’s generally best to take a watchful approach. Every baby is different and some babies learn to self-soothe without any help. Some babies will not take a pacifier even when one is introduced. Other babies may fuss constantly if they do not have an object to transfer their sucking instincts to at all times. Pay attention to your baby and do what seems the most natural for them. Many babies will use one for a few months and then break themselves of it as they develop.
Unless you have your own deep-rooted philosophy about using pacifiers, you can simply wait and watch and respond as your baby needs you to. You should not use one as a means to put off feeding or to stifle needful crying, but you can safely use it to aid your child with self-soothing if he or she respond to it. Make sure you pay close attention to the safe use of these objects and do not give a child a pacifier that is torn, split, or cracking.