Pacifier alert

Tips and Tricks for giving your baby a pacifier 

• Not all babies need or want a pacifier. 
  • Sucking on a pacifier is much different than sucking on a breast, so do not push one on your breastfeeding newborn until nursing is established (about 1 month), and decide if your baby even needs one after 2 months. 
• Pacifiers should be wider than the baby's mouth
  • They should have one-piece construction orthodontic nipples, and ventilation holes to prevent skin chapping. Never attach it to the baby's body or crib with a string or cord longer than 7 inches (to prevent strangling). 
• Long-term use of a pacifier can contribute to chronic ear infections, impaired bite and speech, and dental problems. Remove the pacifier when your baby is sleeping. 
• Never give a pacifier when your baby is hungry. 
• The real need for pacifiers is over by age 6 months, even though the desire for them may continue. 
  • It's easier to wean babies off pacifiers before they become addicted to them.            
  • They will be naturally distracted from sucking by new skills of sitting, crawling, and hands-free locomotion. 
  • Avoid using a pacifier as a crutch to stifle fussing; find out why your baby is fussing. 
• Never put your baby's pacifier in your mouth because your baby doesn't need your bacteria.

Adapted from Nurturing with Nutrition by Dr. Melanie Bezarte and Lucille Beseler, RDN