Pacifiers
By Dr. Brown
For newborns as a general rule, if you are breastfeeding, it's best to have the baby suckle at the breast to stimulate the milk supplies. Once the milk is in and your supplies are sufficient, its ok to use a pacifier Earlier on, if your child has spent a lot of time at the breast and your just plain tired, then go ahead and use the pacifier
Many parents ask about the safety and use of pacifiers. Here are some of the most asked questions.
1. Are pacifiers safe to use?
Yes. But, each child has different needs to suckle. Some will only need to suckle while feeding. Others may need to suck all day long! If feeding is going well and your child is gaining weight well and she needs to suck, then a finger or a pacifier is fine to use. If she is not yet a good feeder, then do not use their suckling time with "no calories" on a pacifier. Once feeding is farther along, however, they are fine to use. Use pacifiers that are sold as pacifiers. NEVER USE BABY BOTTLE NIPPLES AS PACIFIERS. They are not safe as pacifiers and children have had problems with these. Bottle nipples are part of a bottle and are safe to use when assembled correctly, but as parts, as themselves they may be dangerous.
2. When should my child give up the pacifier?
Since the need to suckle is variable from child to child, there is no specific time to give them up. It's great to try and reduce use of the pacifier by 4-6 months of age. During this time you'll notice that your baby will put anything he can into his mouth! If he's tired or bored, offer him a rattle or some other safe toy. It'll go right into his mouth, but as he gets older, he'll begin to use it for the purpose it was intended for. In other words, as your child gets older, give him more developmentally advanced ways to entertain himself, instead of just sucking on a pacifier! If your child is really stuck on a pacifier, most orthodontists and dentists recommend to absolutely get rid of it by 4-6 years of age due to concerns with tooth and jaw development. Of course, sooner would be better, but 4-6 years is a must. Many children are still sucking a thumb or finger at age ten. So, keep the fingers clean and do not forget to wash the pacifiers too. They can be a great source of germs.
3. What is an "open bite" and how do I prevent it or treat it?
When a child has something in their mouth most of the time, the mouth and teeth form around that object. As a result, they are not able to oppose (close) their front teeth. When they bite down, there is a gap between their teeth. This can be a problem when eating apples or corn on the cob, etc. Open bite is most common in the child that sleeps the entire night with a pacifier in place. The 8-12 hours at night is a powerful block to normal dental shaping of the mouth.
4. How do I get rid of the pacifier?
We generally suggest decreasing the amount of time per day with the pacifier in place. When you get rid of the night time use that is the easiest and most efficient. Then work on limiting the use during the day. Try using it only in the afternoon or only at home kind of rules.
5. When is it okay to use a pacifier?
We generally suggest it is okay when awake. Because of sleep disturbances that may occur with the use in the crib, however, we do not suggest they be used to fall asleep with.
6. Should I clean the pacifiers?
Yes and a few times a day keeps the doctor away! Soap and water or a dishwasher are fine. Further information is available through your dentist and we can assist in suggesting one near you. Call us during regular hours for these suggestions.
For newborns as a general rule, if you are breastfeeding, it's best to have the baby suckle at the breast to stimulate the milk supplies. Once the milk is in and your supplies are sufficient, its ok to use a pacifier Earlier on, if your child has spent a lot of time at the breast and your just plain tired, then go ahead and use the pacifier
Many parents ask about the safety and use of pacifiers. Here are some of the most asked questions.
1. Are pacifiers safe to use?
Yes. But, each child has different needs to suckle. Some will only need to suckle while feeding. Others may need to suck all day long! If feeding is going well and your child is gaining weight well and she needs to suck, then a finger or a pacifier is fine to use. If she is not yet a good feeder, then do not use their suckling time with "no calories" on a pacifier. Once feeding is farther along, however, they are fine to use. Use pacifiers that are sold as pacifiers. NEVER USE BABY BOTTLE NIPPLES AS PACIFIERS. They are not safe as pacifiers and children have had problems with these. Bottle nipples are part of a bottle and are safe to use when assembled correctly, but as parts, as themselves they may be dangerous.
2. When should my child give up the pacifier?
Since the need to suckle is variable from child to child, there is no specific time to give them up. It's great to try and reduce use of the pacifier by 4-6 months of age. During this time you'll notice that your baby will put anything he can into his mouth! If he's tired or bored, offer him a rattle or some other safe toy. It'll go right into his mouth, but as he gets older, he'll begin to use it for the purpose it was intended for. In other words, as your child gets older, give him more developmentally advanced ways to entertain himself, instead of just sucking on a pacifier! If your child is really stuck on a pacifier, most orthodontists and dentists recommend to absolutely get rid of it by 4-6 years of age due to concerns with tooth and jaw development. Of course, sooner would be better, but 4-6 years is a must. Many children are still sucking a thumb or finger at age ten. So, keep the fingers clean and do not forget to wash the pacifiers too. They can be a great source of germs.
3. What is an "open bite" and how do I prevent it or treat it?
When a child has something in their mouth most of the time, the mouth and teeth form around that object. As a result, they are not able to oppose (close) their front teeth. When they bite down, there is a gap between their teeth. This can be a problem when eating apples or corn on the cob, etc. Open bite is most common in the child that sleeps the entire night with a pacifier in place. The 8-12 hours at night is a powerful block to normal dental shaping of the mouth.
4. How do I get rid of the pacifier?
We generally suggest decreasing the amount of time per day with the pacifier in place. When you get rid of the night time use that is the easiest and most efficient. Then work on limiting the use during the day. Try using it only in the afternoon or only at home kind of rules.
5. When is it okay to use a pacifier?
We generally suggest it is okay when awake. Because of sleep disturbances that may occur with the use in the crib, however, we do not suggest they be used to fall asleep with.
6. Should I clean the pacifiers?
Yes and a few times a day keeps the doctor away! Soap and water or a dishwasher are fine. Further information is available through your dentist and we can assist in suggesting one near you. Call us during regular hours for these suggestions.