The use of infant pacifiers has been a controversial subject debated amongst both parents and their pediatricians alike for many years, and there's no doubt the topic will continue to be discussed at great lengths for countless years to come.
No matter what name you give them, pacifiers have been satisfying babies needs for a long time. So why is there such a huge debate going on about them? Like anything else, there are pros and cons to weigh.
The Up Side Of Using A Infant Pacifier
It's not uncommon for a baby to want to suck on something. Using a pacifier will keep your baby content and usually buy mom a few minutes. We all know a happy baby equals a happy mommy. While your baby is occupied for these few minutes, you can use the time to make their bottle or even get set up to nurse.
Never leave home without it. Your pacifier is your friend, especially if you're making a trip to the doctor. There will be times that medical procedures involve a certain amount of pain, and that's when the pacifier will do well to calm your baby.
Keep in mind that infant pacifiers are disposable at any time, and they should be thrown away after a certain amount of usage, however, if your baby decides that he or she would rather suck on their thumb or fingers and doesn't have access to another one, you may find it's much harder to break this habit when the time comes.
There is another plus that new moms may be completely unaware of. There has been recent studies that have found a positive link between the use of pacifiers and reducing instances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Much like the cause of SIDS, the reason pacifiers seem to have a positive effect is also still unknown although research is ongoing.
The Downside Of Using A Infant Pacifier
While there are undeniable advantages to utilizing a pacifier for your baby, there are also a few disadvantages that you will want to take note of. You probably wonder why so many mothers have objections toward pacifiers, and there are actually a few good reasons. Pacifiers used too early on in a baby's development may hinder the baby's ability to breastfeed. The reason for this is that they might actually experience difficulty differentiating between the breast and the pacifier.
One thing that you don't want is your baby ending up dependent on the pacifier. Regular usage at bedtime may start something you wish you never had. You are going to be rather dismayed when they spit it out in the middle of the night, and refuse to sleep until you replace it.
Using the pacifier too much can lead to painful rashes on the face and lips and prolonged usage can lead to a host of dental problems.
Pacifier use while your baby is very young is ideal. If you use it for too long, there may be problems! Those problems can include the teeth growing outward as well as an improper jaw alignment.
After deciding to use a pacifier, try different shapes and sizes. The best infant pacifier is the one your baby likes most. Once you have found it, buy a few so you don't have to turn the house upside down looking for it.
Kat Goodman has been providing
Just Baby Nursery Bedding (www.just-baby-nursery-bedding.com) with quality articles for the past year. For more information on
infant pacifier use and other baby related topics, the children's resource section provides useful information to new mom's and dad's.
