How To Avoid Pacifier Problems

Pacifiers get a bad rap. They are indispensible in the difficult first six months of life because sucking is a normal form of self-quieting. Some babies like to suck more than others, but all babies settle down when they suck on a pacifier. Babies who are sucking aren’t crying. Pacifiers help babies fall asleep and there are even some studies that suggest young infants who use pacifiers have a lower rate of Sudden Infant Death. So, up to six months of age, use the pacifier as much as you want and whenever the baby wants it.

     The problem with pacifiers is when a two-year-old insists on having it in his mouth all day. But there is an easy way that parents can use a pacifier when the infant is young and still not get into pacifier problems later on. The easy rule is that after six months of age, the pacifier never comes out of the crib. A six-month-old chews on anything that comes within a foot of his mouth. If given a pacifier during the day, he’ll chew on the front, suck it, chew on the back, chew on the side and suck it again. If you put a small teething ring or teething toy on the pacifier strap that is clipped to his shirt, he’ll do the same thing with the toy. He’s at the age where he wants to chew more than he wants to suck.  But when he is tired, he wants to self-quiet by sucking again and the pacifier is a wonderful way to help him get to sleep.

     So, after six months of age, the pacifier never comes out of the crib. Baby can use the pacifier to go to sleep at both nap-time and night time, but, during the day, the pacifier is in the crib.  Parents have told me ”We only use the pacifier in the crib…….Oh, and in the car seat……..Oh, and in the stroller……..etc.”. Remember that your baby will learn anything that you chose to teach him. If you teach him that he needs a pacifier during the day, good luck when he is two. If the pacifier never comes out of the crib, He’ll never even think about using it when he is up during the day.

     The best way to deal with parenting problems is to see them coming and then avoid them. Pacifier problems in toddlers can be totally avoided.