The famous pacifier-dummy-teat and its host of questions are arriving at home? Your baby has just been born or will soon be born and you are already wondering if you are going to offer him one. Because the small object is often the subject of great debate, Élhée suggests you answer two questions. From what age should you offer a pacifier to baby and above all, how should you live with it on a daily basis?
SUMMARY :
- The lollipop, good fairy or mischievous godmother?
- Timing is everything: when to give a newborn their first pacifier?
- The Magic Formula to Find the Perfect Lollipop
- The day and night pacifier
- When the magic of the lollipop lasts a little too long
- Mission withdrawal… without spells
- The final word: all babies are different
The lollipop: good fairy or mischievous godmother?
When it comes to pacifiers, there are pros and cons. Parents for whom it is the good fairy of sleep and who integrate it completely and immediately into their baby's routine, and those who categorically refuse it, listing its inconveniences.
The pacifier soothes babies…
- The pacifier satisfies the newborn's need for sucking .
- Thanks to the pacifier, baby (and you) are more likely to enjoy peaceful nights .
- Studies suggest a positive link between pacifier use and prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Baby suffering from colic? Breastfeeding releases soothing endorphins (the feel-good hormone) and helps to evacuate gas accumulated in the digestive system for relief that is sometimes partial, sometimes temporary, but always welcome.
- Similarly, at the pediatrician's office, giving your baby a pacifier can help him or her cope better with the exam or vaccination.
But, the pacifier can interfere with breastfeeding
- With the pacifier, be careful of the risk of breast-pacifier confusion which could disrupt the proper progress of breastfeeding .
- Another potential issue to monitor closely after 2 years is open bite .
- Some studies have shown an increased risk of ear infections in children who use a pacifier, but cannot explain this.
- Other research suggests that excessive pacifier use may lead to language problems in older children.
- Baby's attachment to his pacifier can become so strong that he has difficulty separating from it.
So, in your opinion, what aspects are decisive? As is often the case, there is no single answer. The impact (or not) of the pacifier depends in particular on its introduction, its use and the model chosen.
Timing is everything: when to give a newborn their first pacifier?
To avoid nipple confusion syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier. This is usually 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
For bottle-fed babies, the pacifier can be offered a little earlier, but always respecting the delay of a few weeks of life.
👶 So, if you can, wait until baby is at least a month old before buying him his first pacifier .
The Magic Formula to Find the Perfect Lollipop
When you become a parent, you always want magic formulas. To help your baby sleep well, to relieve their pain and also to find the best accessories to give them.
When it comes to pacifiers, whether in stores or online, focus first on the recommended age . This information determines the size of the pacifier and how well it fits your baby's mouth.
Next, take an interest in the material : the medical silicone pacifier is soft and 100% healthy. Latex (rubber), natural and resistant. The shape also counts : orthodontic or physiological, the pacifier is adapted to the oral cavity of the little ones. Round, it recalls the maternal breast and anatomical, it is perfectly symmetrical.
Finally, don't forget to check that the product complies with safety standards ( CE marking and EN 1400 standard in particular).
And keep in mind that the perfect pacifier is the one that soothes your baby when he needs it. So he may try several before he finds the right one. (You can then build up a stock of these.)
5 criteria that make all the difference
- 🌬️ Ventilation : Choose a pacifier with ventilation holes to prevent skin irritation around the mouth (especially when baby is teething and drooling a lot ).
- 🤝 Easy to grip : an easy-to-grasp ring is practical for baby (and for you, when he drops his pacifier for the 100th time).
- 🧼 Easy cleaning : a one-piece pacifier prevents dirt from getting stuck at the joints of the different elements.
- ✨ Healthy Material : Make sure the pacifier does not display any harmful compounds like BPA, an endocrine disruptor that is harmful to health.
- 🤏 Finesse : choose a thin and flexible pacifier for baby's comfort and to respect their oral physiology.
Just as it is no longer necessary to sterilize baby bottles, baby's pacifier does not need to be boiled. Daily cleaning with warm water and mild soap is sufficient . If it falls or gets dirty, rinse it thoroughly with clean water and offer another one. And for easier hygiene, opt for a pacifier designed in one piece, like the Élhée pacifier.
The day and night pacifier
If you already have a child or are around children, you know that it can be very difficult to get them to put down the pacifier, resulting in a mute baby or speech that is difficult to decipher.
To prevent this problem, try to limit pacifier use to sleep times, nighttime and naps, cuddle breaks, or comfort times from the start.
To achieve this, choose with your child a practical place, always the same, where to put the pacifier after nap time or at the end of the night 😴 . This can be the dresser or bedside table, or directly the edge of the sink to rinse it.
Some indicative benchmarks for you parents
- Until about 1 year old , use the pacifier mainly to soothe your baby (not to keep him busy) and start offering him other solutions without delay (toys and soft music, a big hug, etc.).
- From the 2nd year , if your child still keeps his pacifier during the day, ask him to remove it to talk, to play or before going out for a walk.
- Finally, from the third birthday , the pacifier can become an exceptional object, a little magical, to which we grant power more out of tenderness than need (like the little mouse or Father Christmas).
When the magic of the lollipop lasts a little too long
You realize that your baby is taking his pacifier all the time and you wonder how you are going to be able to limit it?
Try the swapping technique . Swap the pacifier as often as possible for a fun activity, a cuddle, or a healthy treat like your baby's favorite fruit. With persistence and gentleness, the pacifier will find its best place; in the baby's bed.
👍 And if the change is a little slow, be patient. Tell yourself that it would be more complicated if he had chosen to suck his thumb !
Mission withdrawal… without spells
If your child is between 2 and 4 years old, if he is starting to express himself well, if he is showing signs of independence, self-comforting skills, if he wants to do things "like grown-ups" and if you are not planning any major changes (moving, starting school, new baby, etc.) in the coming months, then the time is indeed right to say goodbye to the pacifier.
Our tips for making your pacifier disappear with a wave of a (nearly) magic wand
- 👏 Every time your child doesn't take his pacifier, congratulate him .
- 📅 Imagine a calendar where each day without a pacifier is rewarded with a sticker or a small drawing. Place it in a prominent place so that each member of the family can congratulate your child.
- 🧺 If your child is a little older, try decorating a nice box together where you can store the pacifier and keep it as a souvenir.
- 📚 Use the power of little stories ! Now that baby is big and doesn't need it anymore, his pacifier can go help other babies.
And remember, there is no perfect time or age limit to wean your baby off the pacifier. The most important thing is that you and your child feel ready to make this transition smoothly. As with all stages of their growth , listening and kindness are your best allies!
The final word: all babies are different
- Every baby is unique : what works for one will not necessarily work for another.
- Moderation, your new magic formula: lollipops are good, but not all the time .
- The golden age for weaning: between 2 and 4 years old , but don’t panic if it takes longer!
Our bonus tip for more peaceful nights
Create a soothing bedtime ritual : a warm bath, a story, a cuddle, a lullaby… A habit that you can easily repeat every night. The pacifier can be part of it, but without being the central element.
And don't forget: the difficult nights, the doubts, the moments of fatigue... All of this is part of being a parent and passes quickly, even if, at the time, it is sometimes hard to believe.
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