Why is it best to use a pacifier from 1 month to 1 year?

In the mother group, "Can I use a pacifier? How to use a pacifier?" is a hot topic that is often mentioned. Some people say that it is very helpful to comfort the baby, and someone immediately reprimands that it is not good for the baby's oral development; some people say that it can prevent the baby from suffocating, and someone immediately replies that it will easily cause nipple confusion and is not conducive to breastfeeding.

Can a pacifier be used?

Pacifiers are especially popular in Europe and the United States. On TV, pacifiers are almost standard equipment for European and American babies. Although the controversy over pacifiers has never stopped, according to statistics, so far, the usage rate of pacifiers in Europe and the United States is roughly around 60-70%.



Pacifiers have been in use for thousands of years and have evolved from clay, silver, and pearls to today's rubber, silicone, and latex. Regarding the production of the pacifier, it has always been said that it can imitate the mother's nipples and breasts as much as possible, and play a role in soothing the baby. There is a view that the reason why babies like to sleep with nipples or pacifiers is because the mouth is the place where the baby's sense of touch is most developed. Stuffing a nipple or pacifier in the mouth can meet the baby's need for touch and play an efficient role. soothing effect.



The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that in addition to the role of pacifiers in daily life to stop the baby's crying, it also has the following functions:

1.Analgesic effect: When the baby undergoes minor surgery or puncture, the use of a pacifier can relieve pain well;

2. Reduce sudden infant death syndrome: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that using a pacifier when a baby falls asleep can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (if the baby spits out the pacifier after falling asleep, the baby does not need to let the baby hold the pacifier). The use of a pacifier will make it difficult for the baby to turn to the prone position, improve the baby's awakening, suck to maintain the airway, and reduce gastroesophageal reflux.

3. Effect on premature infants: pacifiers can promote intestinal peristalsis, reduce gastroesophageal reflux, and achieve full gastrointestinal nutrition early; using pacifiers is called non-nutritive sucking, which is an important part of developmental care for premature infants.

Risks of using a pacifier:

interfere with breastfeeding

The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out in the latest "Ten Measures to Successfully Promote Breastfeeding" in 2018 to inform mothers about the risks of using feeding bottles, artificial nipples and pacifiers.
Because observational studies suggest that pacifiers may cause nipple confusion in infants, leading to early weaning.

However, statistics show that pacifiers have different effects on interfering with breastfeeding at different stages of the baby. During confinement, the use of a pacifier can greatly interfere with breastfeeding, and will become less disruptive as your baby develops attachment skills to breastfeeding

Pacifiers affect gum development

The impact of pacifiers on teeth is mainly to cause dental caries, malocclusion of upper and lower gums and gingival recession.

These problems are more likely to occur if babies use pacifiers over the age of 5 or use sweetened pacifiers. Some studies have found that pacifier use beyond 2 and 3 years of age has a greater impact on teeth than stopping use at 1 year of age. The longer a pacifier is used, the greater the impact on tooth development. For babies who have a thumb-sucking habit, it is recommended to use a pacifier, because it is much easier to wean the pacifier than thumb-sucking.

Can cause otitis media?

It has long been thought that sucking on a pacifier weakens the Eustachian tube, altering the pressure in the middle ear. Many studies have also identified pacifier use as a risk factor for developing otitis media.


Suggestions for pacifier use:

1. It is not recommended to use a pacifier for newborns (postpartum to 28 days), as there is a risk of nipple confusion, which is not conducive to breastfeeding;


2. After 1 year old, it is not recommended to use a pacifier to avoid the risk of affecting oral development;


3. It is medically necessary for premature infants to use pacifiers