There have been some discussions about the use of baby pacifiers. However, there are advantages as well as disadvantages in the use of baby pacifiers. Parents, especially mothers will have to decide whether they think their babies would need it or not. Parents know that for sure, there babies need some form of comforting which they can provide in terms of cuddling, rocking and at times by using pacifiers. There are some babies who would like to keep on sucking even if they are not really hungry.
Baby pacifiers though are not for nurturing or for feeding purposes but there are times when babies just are too fussy especially when everything has been done but to no avail. Babies may need the pacifiers to calm and to satisfy their other needs. Another benefit of the use of baby pacifiers is that it may reduce the incidence of SIDS or the sudden infant death syndrome. However the pacifier should not be placed back into the baby’s mouth if he or she has fallen asleep. The use of the pacifier during the weaning period is also better than the baby sucking his or her thumb.
The use of baby pacifiers may also have some disadvantages. Some studies have indicated that this may cause more middle ear infections among babies as well as in young children. However, this risk has been found out to be lesser among younger babies. Parents who decide to use baby pacifiers may do so up to about six months and then they should try to wean their babies from it after. Mothers who are breastfeeding their babies should wait a little before they give baby pacifiers. They have to let their babies get used to breastfeeding before giving them their pacifiers. This will enable mother to nurse their babies successfully.
Some parents worry about using baby pacifiers because of the tendency of the babies to depend on it for a very long time. Parents may have a difficult time in dealing with how they will ever take the baby pacifiers from their little ones. Another disadvantage of using baby pacifiers for longer periods is that it may cause some dental problems later on.
With these advantages and disadvantages in the use of baby pacifiers, parents will have to weigh and consider before they make a decision. They may let their bundles of joy use baby pacifiers or not. What is important is that they are also able to deal with the negative things that go with it as well.
