Should I hve my baby use Pacifiers?

Question

Im debating on if I should have my baby (she'll be born in May) use them or not?

My Mom is telling me it's not a good idea. What do you think?

Answer 1

I would say it is up to you. My thoughts are it is a great tool for little ones. It is a proven fact that sucking is a natural soothing technique for babies so why not let them suck. It is a habit but it is one of many that can be formed and broken. Because kids like to suck and it is natural often times (not always) if they need this and you don't provide a way for them to meet the need they will find away by using fingers or the thumb and that habit is A LOT harder to break than a pacifier. I think it is ok up to a certain age and then needs to be gone. All three of my kids used one and it was such a great thing for us. I had no problems taking it away and non of them have any teeth problems or anything like that.

Answer 2

I'm sure your mom means well, but hers is only one opinion. Everyone is full of advice when a new baby comes along. The pacifier is not necessarily a bad thing at all. Babies have a strong urge to suck; it's a reflex, and if you are bottle feeding, they may need more. Some will naturally find a finger. There are many brands available to you now which are very natural, and will give your baby comfort. Some children don't like them and won't need them, but if you determine that your little one does, use them. It's a small time, her infancy, and you will know when to take it way, usually around one or certainly by age two. I say, yes, to the binky, which is what we called it, and get several and in pretty colors!!

Answer 3

Your baby is just fine using a pacifier if it comforts her. You're mother sounds like she's from the "old school" and remember that they simply didn't have as much information as we do today.

I've raised a large family and some of mine used pacifiers and some weren't interested. Sucking is a comforting and instinctual action for a baby. It will not hurt them and any orthodontist will let you know that it does not cause them to need braces on their teeth later in life. So, there is no reason not to offer a pacifier. It's much better than offering a bottle everytime that child feels the need to such to soothe him/herself. Obesity can become an issue then because you're teaching your infant to soothe themself with food and that'll absolutely "stick" in their brain.

You're mother is attempting to let you know what she feels is best however, you are this childs mother and you'll know what you feel is best.


BTW... How many school aged children do you see walking around with a pacifier in their mouth? None...
If they still want a pacifier at that age they'll leave it at home. I don't see many high school aged kids with them either...

There is no "RIGHT" time to take it away either... Your child will leave it when it's the right time for him/her. Don't make it a bigger issue...it's just not terribly important...believe me.
Good Luck..

Answer 4

If you plan to breastfeed, you may want to hold off on pacifiers or bottles until nursing's been well established. That can take up to 6 weeks of trial and error during feedings, by the way. (No one ever bothered to tell me THAT little tidbit.)

That being said, in principal, there is nothing wrong with giving a baby a pacifier IF you've already taken care of their other needs (i.e. changed diaper, burped them, snuggled with them, etc.) before you reach for the "quiet maker." Babies have a strong need to suck and constantly responding to that need with food is not a good idea. You could unwittingly instill the idea that baby can only comfort himself by eating - which will be bad news later on in life. You'll know if your baby is really hungry because he will not be sated with a pacifier.

Answer 5

I have no problem with pacifiers for newborns, but I wean them off it by 2 or three months because most babies CAN'T KEEP THEM IN. They are not old enough to put the pacifier back in on their own for a really long time, and meantime you have to keep getting up 6 times a night to stick the plug back in when the baby wakes up and cries. After seven babies and having done it different ways with each one, I would go ahead and use the pacifier when needed to hold off feedings or calm the baby when she's just wacked out, but NOT to put her to sleep, and get rid of the thing as soon as she's a little more mature.

Answer 6

I let my daughters have them but very briefly. My oldest, until she was four months and my youngest for a day. If it doesnt seem to make a difference dont do it. If it seems to be the only possible thing to comfort him/her than I say let them have it for a short period when they are newborn because their world is all so new so anything to make them feel secure is beneficial for the first few months. Just remember you will have to break them of it due to their dental structure and sometimes it's harder than others. They have a bear that makes noises like the womb and my youngest liked that more than the pacifier. Id just do what makes him/her comfortable for awhile. A happy baby is a good sign of a happy mommy so when he/she is upset you will be too so do what makes it easier for you both. Congradulations!

Answer 7

I didn't use one for the first 6-8 weeks b/c i only BF and i wanted to establish a good supply and wanted him to get the hang on latching on correctly but after that I was all about it. I don't see why it's a problem after those early weeks and don't see the prob. at all if your going to bottle feed. Now my baby is almose 6 mos. old and still only BF and he get s a pacifier when he sleeps and when he is getting fussy.

Answer 8

Yes, you can give your baby pacifiers, BUT take them away after a certain age like 2. My parents didn't take it away from me until I was 4. And the result of that is I have an extreme OVERBITE.

I have braces because of my overbite and my teeth are crooked, my orthodontist said it was because of my pacifier.

I have seen highschoolers with pacifiers in their mouth, and it's not because they are sucking on it, they have DRUGS in them.

Answer 9

I never thought pacifiers were a good idea. I did not use any with my three kids and they did just fine. I see some 4 year olds still sucking on them. To me and it's just my opinion. I think it's a bad habit to get them started on. It's like sucking on their thumb.

Answer 10

It depends some are hard to break from. Some babies like mine took the "Binki" for a week then didn't want it anymore. Your decision it could make there teeth that come in a bit cricked like my 1st child...oops.

CC