what are the disadvantages of using soothers/pacifiers?

Question

is it alright to start pacifiers/soothers as early as 1 month old?

Answer 1

I think the only bad thing about them is trying to get them to stop taking it at some point and it is hard when you have a baby that wakes up when ever it falls out of their mouth. My two girls took one but my son never did want anything to do with one. As far as it preventing SIDS, nope it doesn't. SIDS cannot be prevented for starters. My first daughter died of SIDS when she was 5 months old and she had a pacifier in her mouth when she died, it fell out when she stopped breathing. They usually give them to you in the hospital (those big ones), but like I said my son never took them. My second daughter used one but I got her to stop taking it when she was 18 months old. If it helps soothe your baby then go for it, just try to take it away gradually before the age of 2 becuase let's face it that is rather unattractive to see a toddler walking around with a pacifier hanging out of his/her mouth.

Answer 2

i never used a pacifier with my newborns because I was nursing and they said nipple confusion would interfere with latching on. After 1 month, they say the baby will adapt just fine. The problem I had was that my babies never would take the pacifier after that month. It was awkward for them to handle, but they would chew on them from time to time and play with the little handle. For the most part, they were never interested.

The disadvantages to giving pacifiers are that they will become reliant on them and it may be hard to break them of it. Also, it can be a big problem if your baby develops thrush, which is a yeast infection that will cling to the pacifier. Of course you can sterilize them, but it just makes things more difficult for you.

However, there are new studies saying that pacifiers are good for small babies to help prevent SIDS.

From my personal experience, I found myself doing a lot of "comfort nursing" even when there was no more milk in my breast for the time. This was nice bonding with the baby (absolutley!), but it would have been nice also to have a pacifier for times when I had to hop up and take care of my other child or get some things done.

We are about to have another baby, and I honestly haven't decided either if I should introduce the pacifier. Our other two children did just fine without, but it would have been nice for long car trips, etc....

Answer 3

A lot of people are against them, though i used them for both my kids, my eldest wanted to suck a thumb, so we gave her a dummy/soother, and my 2nd used to get comfort from my finger so again we gave her a dummy/soother.

Both my kids where great speakers from 18 months and gave up bottles before they where a year.

The hardest thing about the dummy is getting it off them, but to be honest if they dont take a dummy its something else, all kids have some sort of comforter.

I am preganat with my 3rd and there will be dummys in the hospital bag, if your baby is in special care, they reccomend giving the soother as it helps them learn to suck and provides them comfort.

Its only other mothers i have ever come across that have a problem with them, health proffesion Dont.

Good luck and its your baby and you do what you feel is right for you and baby.

Answer 4

Yes, in fact most hospitals start using them when the baby is born unless you ask them not to. Sucking is calming to a baby and there really is no harm when they are young. In fact, pacifiers can be lifesavers and it doesn't make you a lazy parent if you use one. I would not use it in place of feeding or caring for your child (which I don't think you will). It's good when they are cranky or trying to fall asleep.

Just make sure to wean your child from the pacifier before he is too old. I think by one year old your child no longer needs it. I think it's ridiculous when children over 2 use them (although my oldest did until she was 2 and never had any problems). At that age it is more of a habit and they are capable of finding other things to soothe themselves. I have heard that if a toddler continues to use one they may develop buck teeth (not as big of a chance as some people imply).

So yes, your one month old can use a pacifier and will probably enjoy it. My oldest two liked them, yet my youngest would never take one. Give it a try and see what happens. If your child doesn't want it, don't push it. As far as your child becoming dependent on it, that may happen. Just remember kids get attached to many things like blankets, stuffed animals, their parents, the bottle, etc. This doesn't mean we shouldn't give them any of the above. It's part of being a child and we all outgrow it. I breastfed and my kids never had nipple confusion. In fact, I think comfort nursing is habit forming too and who is to say that's better than a pacifier? Just keep it clean if you use one. Good luck!

Answer 5

My eldest was not a good feeder and so the health visitor advised against using a pacifier to ensure that she used all her "sucking action" for breastfeeding rather than just comfort. I must say I am glad I followed this advice - god forbid your child should ever be hooked on a soother and then you lose it! Victoria found her own thumb quite early and soothed herself to sleep with that - but then weaned herself off it at about 14 months (no one was more surprised than me, I was having nightmares about having an 8 year old thumb sucker!) She is now 3 and has no oral attachments and her teeth seem fine. So after that experience, I never even considered giving one to the new baby who is now 9 months old.

But all of that aside, I am glad we never used them for purely selfish reasons - I could not stand constantly jumping up to pop it back in every time it falls out!!! Talk about high maintenance!

Funny note - when Victoria started talking she kept saying "piece of fire" and it took me about 3 days to work out that she meant pacifier!!

Answer 6

it is hard to wean them off a dummy/pacifier. You can give a baby a soother from day one. I used one with my first but i decided to do my best to avoid it with second and it worked. Got to be patient though.

Answer 7

My little girl didn't take it either at the beginning. Later on when she was about 2 months we noticed she's sucking her thumb so we tried to give it her. It did work, honestly it helps. She sleeps better at nights and the other time it keeps her quite. If your baby isn't taking don't force because some babies don't like it or if it works then carry on until she/he'll a year old. I'm planning to stop it when she's around a year cause it may delay her speech but for now I'm pretty much happy with it. I know it's another habit to break off later on but if it's keeping her happy& quite for now, what else do you need as a mum?
Best wishes&good luck

Answer 8

Pacifiers can interfere with breastfeeding. This is more probably during the first 6 weeks as it can cause nipple confusion however pacifier use is also linked with early weaning.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/concerns/pacifier.html#bfstudies

Using a pacifier to hold a baby off between feedings can cause malnutrition. (very rare, but still a risk).

Pacifiers unlike thumbs or mom's nipples go missing.

A baby can not suck their thumb and explore their world. You very rarely see a baby thumb sucking while playing (except when they are showing signs of needing a nap). You do however see babies who are never without their pacifier.

Pacifiers are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. In particular they are a thrush risk. They should be boiled daily.

Pacifiers teach a baby to rely on a thing, rather than a person or themselves. Personally I believe that teaching a baby that people provide comfort makes it easier for them to learn that they can comfort themselves.

It is IMPOSSIBLE for a baby to use mom as a pacifier. Mom is the norm. Babies use pacifiers as mommy replacements.

All that being said, I am willing to concede that there may be babies for whom pacifiers are a must. Obviously I haven't raised every child.

Answer 9

Some disadvantages of useing pacifers are that there hard to get to get away from your kids belive me all 6 of my kids needed pacifiers and they were 2 when they wanted to give them away.good luck

Answer 10

I have 3 children and my 3rd (2 months) has had a dummy since birth as it soothes her and stops her wanting to be breastfed all the time.
The main problem is weaning older toddlers off dummies as thet become very easily dependant on them.

My advice is only use if you really have to and try to restrict use because the day you are out and don't have one all hell will break lose!!