Pacifier Safety – Some Do’s and Don’ts for Your Child

Sucking a thumb or a pacifier fulfills a sucking need in all infants. In fact, some fetices begin sucking their thumb prior to being born. Experts differ on when a child should stop sucking his or her thumb. While many children give up sucking their thumb or fingers by age 6 or 7 months, other children continue sucking their fingers up to ages six or eight years.

Of course, it is a parent’s responsibility to discuss concerns about thumb sucking with your pediatrician and pediatric dentist. Problems from sucking can arise if it continues past six or eight years, with possible changes in the shape of a child’s mouth or how developing teeth line up.

Another common problem which older children must face when they continue sucking their thumb, is being teased by brothers and sisters, friends and cousins. Often, such teasing is enough to make a child stop sucking. However, less harsh methods of ending the sucking are available and can be suggested by your pediatrician.

In recent years, controversy has arisen about allowing children to continue sucking with a pacifier. Some do not approve of the pacifier because of the way they look while in a child’s mouth while others dislike the idea of “pacifying” a baby with a foreign object.

However, experts insist no evidence exists that pacifiers can harm a child either physically or psychologically. Many pediatricians note that if a baby wishes to continue sucking beyond nursing or being bottle-fed, a pacifier will certainly provide an answer.

It is important to remember, though, that a pacifier is never a replacement for a meal. Pacifiers are best used after or in-between feedings. Delaying feeding by giving a child a pacifier is never recommended. Until an infant is old enough to replace a pacifier himself, he will often cry if it falls out of his mouth. This is particularly true if the pacifier is used to help the child fall asleep.

Do’s and Don’ts for pacifiers include:

1) The only safe pacifier is a one-piece model with a soft nipple. Two-piece pacifiers can break into two pieces.
2) The pacifier shield must always be at least 1.25 inches across to prevent a baby from placing the entire pacifier into its mouth. Pacifiers come in one size for a child’s first six months and a larger size for after six months. Also, remember that the pacifier shield should be made of firm plastic with air holes.
3) A pacifier must never be tied to a child’s wrist or the side of a crib. This can create a very real possibility of a child becoming entangled and choking inside a crib.
4) The shape of the nipple you choose is worth discussing with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
5) Never use a pacifier made from the nipple of a bottle. The nipple could pull out and become lodged in the child’s throat.
6) Over time the nipple of all pacifiers may turn color or begin to tear. Check the nipple from time to time and replace it when necessary.