A standard pacifier has a teat, mouth shield, and handle. The mouth shield and/or the handle is large enough to avoid the danger choking or accidental swallowing.
Studies show that the use of a pacifier reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) up to children one year old.
Common problems or developmental problems with the use of pacifiers are:
- Interference with breastfeeding
- Ear Infections
- Delayed speech development
- Dental problems
Researchers question pulling plug on pacifiers
Binkies, corks, soothers. Whatever you call pacifiers, conventional wisdom holds that giving them to newborns can interfere with breastfeeding.
New research, however, challenges that assertion. In fact, limiting the use of pacifiers in newborn nurseries may actually increase infants' consumption of formula during the birth hospitalization, according to a study to be presented Monday, April 30, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Boston.
Studies have shown that breastfed infants have fewer illnesses such as ear infections and diarrhea as well as a reduced risk of certain cancers, obesity and asthma. Moms benefit, too, from more rapid loss of pregnancy-associated weight gain, reduced risks of certain cancers and improved cardiovascular health. Based on that evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
