Pacifier or No Pacifier?

Question

I understand the benefits from the AAP about SIDS and I understand that babies need a pacifier until about 6 months when they learn other ways to soothe (and that after that it's just a habit instead of a necessity). I also understand they can be hard to take away later on. I don't understand why people are passionate about giving or not giving one. My 1 month old son is a strong sucker, uses his fingers to suck on, has trouble breastfeeding, and sucks happily on our fingers when we offer them. We're not sure if we should give him one.  Can you tell me some of the pros and cons I didn't list?

Answer

for us, the pacifier choice was not our own. the NICU gave my son his first paci and he just likes to suck. I chose not the take it away because id rather him have a paci I can take away than him suck his thumb and me have to cut off his hand later lol (totally joking, definitely wont cut my kids hand off)

Answer

My mom tried no pacifier and I substituted my thumb for it. I am 33 and stick suck my f*going thumb. No not every child will continue to grow old doing it but there is no guarantee that your child wont have a nervous personality that will prolong the habit like I did. I will not be making that mistake with my kids.

Answer

Well for the SIDS part of it they do say that it's better to use the pacifier after one month of birth. (To avoid nipple confusion) but after the first month if you do decide to use it use it only at bed time and nap time.

Answer

We weren’t going to do a pacifier originally but we used it for the newborn pictures and it soothes her. Plus it has saved my nipples when she wants to just hang out on the boob for comfort sucking. I dont want her to suck her thumb and she was trying to suck on her hands a lot. You can take a pacifier away but you can’t a thumb. I know my mother in law will have an opinion on it but my husband and I will defend our decisions as parents. We will try to stop using it at 6 months. She will not be the 4 year old that still uses one!

Answer

We had to go to a Speech and Language Pathologist that specializes in infant eating and swallowing because my daughter has issues feeding. She is also has a strong such but had trouble breastfeeding. The SLP suggested using a pacifier to help her with the motion and strengthening the muscles. Baby is eating MUCH better now.
We also got new bottles and nipples that requires suck and compression (like the breast does) which helped her breastfeeding almost immediately. First started with The First Years Breast Flow, then the SLP thought it might be too hard for her and we got Medela Calma. We do have to burp her more with this nipple. Good luck!!

Answer

Babies are going to find something to suck on.  I personally would rather have to deal with phasing out a pacifier than trying to stop a thumb sucker.  At least with the pacifier you can take it away.

Answer

I’d say pacifier, I’m a ftm but from other moms I know it’s harder to break a finger/thumb sucking habit than taking away a binky. My 9 month old uses a binky but it’s mostly used at night and during the day when he’s super fussy. It’s not a constant tool. Even at night, he uses it for a bit and spits it out and once it’s out theresno issue with him needing it.

Answer

Pacifiers can impact breastfeeding and latching.

Answer

my son(9months) has not had a pacifier. he is breastfed, and content. yes when he was 1-4 mo ths he had a whitching hour... but in retrospect he had no bedtime and was probably crying bcuz he was tired. if he wants to suck, either ge will suck on his hand ( literally put the whole thing in his mouth lol) or ill nurse him. when not nursing he is mostly content and i never felt the need to give one.  my 9 yr old never had one either

Answer

never used a pacifier with my baby girl, she is 8 months old, she has her own way of comforting herself...and it's not sucking of  her thumb or fingers either. Always had one with me when she was younger just encase she would get fussy while we were out but never needed it so now when I try to give her one she doesn't really know what to do with it

Pacifier or No Pacifier?

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