Parents are always concerned, especially when they introduce something new to their babies. For new parents, it’s normal to be confused about using a pacifier for their babies.
Using pacifiers gives a soothing effect to babies and gives comfort, which helps the baby to fall asleep quickly.
Overall, it has some benefits if you use it in the proper way, but it also has potential risks if used without any precautions.
There are numerous questions about using a pacifier, but don’t worry, here I’m sharing everything you need to know about pacifiers.
Can a Newborn Sleep With a Pacifier?
Regarding this question, my answer is – yes, why not?
A newborn can sleep with a pacifier because it provides comfort that helps them fall asleep quickly at naptime and nighttime.
Sometimes, pediatricians highly recommend using a pacifier for some medical conditions of a baby.
If you want, you can give a pacifier to your baby without any concern**;** it completely depends on you and your baby.
Should you remove your baby’s pacifier while they’re sleeping?
No, there’s no need to remove it. It doesn’t cause any harmful effects when they use it the whole night and during naptime, but it may help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
So, there is no need to be concerned about it, even if it comes out when your baby is sleeping. Putting it back in or removing it when they sleep may distract your baby’s sleep, which can have negative effects on them.
When Should You Introduce a Pacifier to a Newborn?
Introducing a pacifier to a newborn depends on the baby’s feeding and some medical conditions. Introducing time can vary for different babies. Here are details about it:
For a breastfed baby:
Give a pacifier after settling into breastfeeding to prevent nipple confusion in your newborn.
It would be better if you could wait at least 3–4 weeks until your baby is used to breast milk.
Otherwise, if you notice that your baby is used to breastfeeding perfectly, you can give a pacifier after 2 weeks or earlier. It doesn’t cause any negative effects on their feeding habits.
For a bottle-fed baby:
In general, for bottle-fed babies, experts suggest providing a pacifier after their birth; no need to wait for it, but it may sometimes create confusion for the baby, resulting in them ignoring bottle feeding.
To prevent this issue, you should give a pacifier when your baby is already used to a bottle.
It will be better if you give them a pacifier during sleep time after a 1 or 2-week observation.
By doing this, you will not be frustrated, and your baby will get extra comfort during sleep.
For a premature baby:
Premature babies are naturally unable to suck, swallow, and breathe properly. For this kind of baby, just after their birth, they immediately need a pacifier to develop their feeding habits.
There’s nothing to worry about; using a pacifier is completely safe for a premature baby to develop their overall functionalities.
If you want to know more details about using pacifiers, consult a pediatrician; it may help to solve your concern.
How do I introduce a pacifier?
Introducing a pacifier is not easy for some babies, parents should follow some techniques.
Here are some tips or ways to get your baby interested in a pacifier:
- Offer it during their calm and happy moment to avoid rejection.
- When they naturally open their mouth, try to press on the middle of their tongue and put the pacifier into their mouth.
- If they refuse it, take it calmly and try again later.
- Don’t try to offer it in an uncomfortable situation like being hungry, fussiness; they may refuse it at that time.
- Don’t force them to accept it. Give them more time to take it. You need to be patient when they reject it all the time.
- If they still do not accept it, give different types of pacifiers like round shape or flat shape until they choose one of them.
- Try it on a regular basis. If you maintain consistency, you can see that finally, they will accept this pacifier automatically for their self-soothing and relaxing.
What if my newborn won’t take a pacifier?
Though many babies like to suck through pacifiers and use them when offered during their sleeping time, a few babies do not accept it.
It’s completely okay and nothing to worry about if your baby isn’t interested in using a pacifier during their sleeping time.
Though it has some benefits, it is not compulsory, so don’t emphasize it to your tiny baby. Many babies do not use a pacifier; it completely depends on each baby.
Benefits of Sleeping with a Pacifier
Most parents give their baby a pacifier to help them sleep better and longer, but they don’t know that it has more scientific benefits.
Additionally, many are confused as to why they should use this pacifier for their baby, and they cannot depend on it properly.
Here, I discussed some benefits of using a pacifier during sleep, so parents can easily decide whether to use it or not.
They can help with air travel
Pacifiers may help babies or infants during air travel. When taking off or landing the plane, our ears feel pressure at that time.
We can release it by forcefully yawning or flexing our jaw, but the baby is unable to do it.
By sucking the pacifier, the baby can protect their delicate ear from this pressure and feel comfortable and relaxed.
Pacifiers may reduce the risk of SIDS:
Another well-known benefit of using pacifiers is the reduced risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS (according to the American Academy of Pediatrics reports, or AAP).
Many researchers have found that using a pacifier at sleep time works for SIDS, but why and how it works is still not clear.
According to the recommendation of pediatricians, many parents offer this pacifier to their baby during sleep time only for this purpose.
Baby may sleep better and longer:
Some babies’ sleeping time is too short, and they wake up many times at night, especially before 6 months, which is very frustrating to parents.
Though they are full, they want to suck at midnight, which is not related to their hunger.
In this case, a pacifier can meet their sucking demand, which may help them sleep for a long time and stop waking up from sleep at any time.
Using a pacifier at sleep time reduces discomfort and fussiness, resulting in them waking up less at midnight and sleeping better.
Comfort during teething and distraction from pain
Teething is a painful phase for babies, especially when they are 6 months old. At that time, they desire to chew and suck whatever they get.
A pacifier can meet their demand during this difficult period by providing extra soothing and comforting feelings.
Sometimes babies may accidentally get wounded, which creates an uncomfortable situation for the baby. Also, taking vaccines is a painful and difficult time for babies.
A pacifier can also distract them from this physical pain and calm them for a long time, which is very helpful for parents.
A pacifier allows for non-nutritive sucking
Hungry babies need to feed, but sometimes they continuously want to suck even when they are full, which is time-consuming and may be impossible for the mother.
Mothers, especially those who are busy, can’t satisfy their babies only through breastfeeding. In this case, a pacifier that allows for non-nutritive sucking may help to relax and satisfy those babies.
Non-nutritive sucking means it does not provide any calories or nutrition, only provides comfort and calmness.
By sucking the pacifier, endorphins are released in the brain, which promotes relaxation for the baby.
It’s better than sucking a thumb.
Some babies—not all—use their thumb or finger to suck for extra soothing and comfort.
Thumb sucking gradually turns into a long-term habit, and it may be difficult to remove because it is always present on their hand.
It can negatively affect their teeth, that finger, and nail if they don’t stop before they turn two years old.
For these reasons, pediatricians and dentists always recommend a pacifier as a substitute for thumb sucking. It can be easily controlled and removed when there is no need to use it.
Helps babies to self-soothe
A pacifier works as a self-soothing and self-controlling tool for a newborn baby. Babies can easily fall asleep by using it without any nursing or effort from their parents.
By using it, a baby learns how to be calm and relaxed without any physical presence, which is actually enjoyable for both babies and parents.
Additionally, pacifiers can meet their innate sucking demand and provide extra comfort to fussy babies.
