I heard somewhere that they're pointless and babies don't need to constantly be sucking on something. Is this true? What are they for?
2007-12-02 05:34:12 · 20 answers · asked by girlbehindthereddoor18 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
They are born with a natural sucking need and a pacifier helps satisfy that need and maybe pacify the parents more (for some sleep and peace!) I have 4 boys and the older one was totally needfull of his pacifier. The middle one could take it or leave it and the younger two (twins) didn't even have/use one.
2007-12-02 05:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by Sheila 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some babies have a very high sucking need. You don't have to give them a pacifier, you can just nurse them constantly.
Also, the American Academy of Pediatrics has said that pacifiers have lowered the rate of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) when given to babies at bedtime.
Some babies won't take a pacifier - no matter what.
My first wanted to suck all the time, or else he would cry. I couldn't stand to hear him cry so he would get a pacifier so I could use the bathroom or take a shower.
My second refused the pacifier - regardless of the type or brand. She didn't want one.
2007-12-02 13:42:18 · answer #2 · answered by mypbandj 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I know everyone loves them because they keep babies quiet ... But I feel like they are bad for babies. I think they prevent babies from learning self-soothing and proper coping skills. Plus, they lead to lazy parenting in my opinion. More and more I feel like they are for the parents more than for the baby! Parents seem so quick to shove the pacifier into the mouth of a crying baby ... Yes it is easy to stuff a bottle or a pacifier in a babies mouth. It is easier in the long run to actually learn your babies cues and cries. Then you can give them what they are actually asking for with their body language or their crying.
When we are out in public people are always commenting on how well behaved our 8 month old baby is. This is because I have spent a lot of time learning about her. I know her body language and her different cries. Often I catch her body language first and give her what she needs BEFORE she starts crying.
At night she doesn't need the pacifier to go to sleep. I nurse her and rock her a bit until she is sleepy. Then I put her in the crib and rub her back a little and say goodnight to her. She falls asleep on her own in the crib. There is no need for a pacifier in our house, our baby is happy and content and does not need to be shut up with a rubber nipple!
2007-12-03 15:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by Alberta Mama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babies have a physiological need for non nutrative sucking (sucking not related to eating). It is how they soothe themselves, transition from wake to sleep states, and stimulate themselves. Whether it be from sucking on their own finger or thumb, an adult finger or knuckle, or a pacifier, sucking when not eating is important in brain development. Some babies have a very strong suck drive and need to almost constantly be sucking on something, others get enough sucking while feeding...every baby is different.
2007-12-02 20:47:04 · answer #4 · answered by jssrn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babies are naturally inclined to find the motion of sucking to be soothing. It is the way in which they get their nourishment. Therefore, something that can be used as a coping skill when they are tense is sucking. Therefore, when they are having a hard time, a pacifier can calm them down, given that they do not need to be eating...they just need to be calmed. I agree that babies don't need to be sucking ALL the time, but it does not hurt for them to have a pacifier when they would benefit from that sucking motion. And studies have linked them with preventing SIDS.
2007-12-02 13:41:24 · answer #5 · answered by Jules, E, and Liam :) 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
some babies have a stronger need to suck than others. I wasn't going to introduce a pacifier to my daughter, thinking that exact same thing, but she began wanting to "comfort nurse" ALL the time. Or she would suck on her hands. I broke down and gave her a pacifier. Now we are both much happier.
2007-12-02 23:26:20 · answer #6 · answered by **0_o** 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only time my son wants to take his pacifiere is when laying down to take nap or going to bed....he never sucks on it besides then...i think it is a big help, it soothes the baby and helps calm them in middle if night with out giving a bottle....
2007-12-02 14:12:57 · answer #7 · answered by Ashnm 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some babies just need to suck more than feeding allows them. Pacifiers are very comforting to babies. Not every baby will take one, but if yours wants one they are a good thing. Baby is happy, mommy is happy. That is a good thing.
2007-12-02 17:28:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some babies just need more sucking to comfort them. They cannot always be at the breast or on a bottle, so this takes the place of them.
2007-12-05 19:18:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter only takes one for ten minutes at bedtime as it helps soothe her into a peaceful sleep.
It has also been linked with reducing SIDS.
My daughter was initially given hers when she was 2 weeks old as she was 7 weeks premature and it helped with her sucking so she was able to take a bottle better.
2007-12-02 15:16:07 · answer #10 · answered by Nicki 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋