Is the famous Pacifier and its bevy of questions coming home? Your baby has just been born, or is about to be, and you're already wondering whether you're going to offer him one. Because little things are often the subject of big debates, Élhée offers you the answers to two questions. At what age can you start offering your baby a Pacifier , and above all, how do you live with them on a daily basis?
CONTENTS :
- The Pacifier, fairy godmother or mischievous godmother?
- Timing is everything: when to give a newborn his first pacifier?
- The magic formula for finding the perfect Pacifier
- Pacifier it day and night
- When the magic of Pacifier lasts a little too long
- Mission sevrage... without spells
- The final word: all babies are different
La Pacifier : good fairy or mischievous godmother?
When it comes to Pacifier , there are pros and cons. Parents for whom it is the good fairy of bedtime and who integrate it completely and immediately into their baby's routine, and those who categorically refuse it, listing its inconveniences.
Pacifier soothes babies...
- Pacifier satisfies a newborn'sneed to suck.
- Thanks to the pacifier, baby (and you) are more likely to enjoy peaceful nights.
- Studies suggest a positive link between Pacifier use and the prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Is your baby suffering from colic? Sucking releases soothing endorphins (the "feel-good" hormone) and helps evacuate gas accumulated in the digestive system, providing relief that may be partial or temporary, but is always welcome.
- In the same way, giving your baby his Pacifier at the paediatrician's can help him cope better with the examination or vaccination.
But pacifiers can interfere with breastfeeding
- When using a pacifier, beware of the risk of confusing breast and pacifier, which could disrupt breastfeeding.
- The open bite is another potential issue to keep a close eye on after the age of 2.
- Some studies have shown an increased risk of ear infections in children who use a pacifier, although this cannot be explained.
- Other research suggests that excessive pacifier use may lead to language disorders in older children.
- Baby's attachment to his Pacifier can become so strong that he finds it difficult to separate from it.
So, in your opinion, which aspects are decisive? As is often the case, there's no single answer. The impact (or otherwise) of a pacifier depends on how it's introduced, how it's used and the model chosen.
Timing is everything: when to give a newborn his first pacifier?
To avoid breast-nipple confusion syndrome, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a Pacifier. This generally means 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
For bottle-fed babies, Pacifier can be offered a little earlier, but still within a few weeks of birth.
👶 So, wait if you can, until baby is at least a month old, before buying him his first pacifier.
The magic formula for finding the perfect Pacifier
When you become a parent, you want magic formulas all the time. To help baby sleep well, to relieve his aches and pains and also to find the best accessories to give him.
When it comes to pacifiers, both in stores and online, focus first on therecommended age. This information determines the pacifier's size and how well it fits baby's mouth.
Next, consider the material : Pacifier in medical silicone is supple and 100% healthy. Latex (rubber), natural and resistant. Shape counts too: whether orthodontic or physiological, Pacifier is adapted to the oral cavity of little ones. Round, it's reminiscent of a mother's breast, and anatomically perfectly symmetrical.
Finally, don't forget to check that the product complies with safety standards(CE marking and EN 1400 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 (from which you can then build up a stock).
5 criteria that make all the difference
- 🌬️ Ventilation: opt for a Pacifier with air holes to prevent skin irritation around the mouth (especially when baby is teething and drooling a lot).
- 🤝 Easy to grasp : a ring that's easy to grasp is convenient for baby (and for you, when he drops his Pacifier for the 100th time).
- 🧼 Easy cleaning: a one-piece Pacifier prevents dirt from getting trapped at the junction of the various elements.
- ✨ Healthy material: make sure the Pacifier displays no harmful compounds such as BPA, an endocrine disruptor harmful to health.
- 🤏 Finesse: prefer a fine, supple teat for baby's comfort and to respect his oral physiology.
Just as bottles no longer need to be sterilized, baby's Pacifier doesn't need to be scalded. Daily cleaning with warm water and mild soap is all that's required. If you drop it or get it dirty, rinse it thoroughly with clean water and offer another one. And for easier hygiene, opt for a one-piece teat like Pacifier Élhée.
Pacifier it day and night
If you already have a child, or if you're around children, you know that it can be very difficult to get them to put the pacifier down, resulting in a mute baby or speech that's hard to decipher.
To prevent this problem, try from the outset to limit Pacifier useto periods of sleep, at night and during naps, to cuddle breaks, or to moments of comfort.
To achieve this, choose with your child a convenient place, always the same, where to put the pacifier after a nap or at the end of the night 😴. This could be the chest of drawers or bedside table, or directly the edge of the sink to rinse it off.
A few guidelines for parents
- Until your baby is about 1 year old, use the Pacifier to soothe him (not to occupy him) and start offering other solutions (toys and soft music, a big cuddle...) as soon as possible.
- From the 2nd year onwards, if your child still keeps his pacifier on during the day, ask him to take it off to talk, play or before going out for a walk.
- Finally, from the 3rd birthday onwards, the pacifier can become an exceptional object, a little magical, to which we give power out of tenderness rather than need (like the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus).
When the magic of Pacifier lasts a little too long
You realize that baby is taking his Pacifier all the time and you're wondering how you're going to limit it?
Try the barter technique. Swap the Pacifier as often as possible for a fun activity, a cuddle or a healthy treat like a favorite fruit. With perseverance and gentleness, the pacifier will return to its rightful place in baby's crib.
👍 And if change is a little slow, be patient. It would be more complicated if he had chosen to suck his thumb!
Mission sevrage... without spells
If your child is between 2 and 4 years old, if he's starting to express himself well, if he's showing signs of independence and self-comforting abilities, if he wants to do things "like the big kids" and if you don't foresee any major changes (moving house, starting school, new baby...) in the next few months, then this is indeed a good time to say goodbye to the Pacifier.
Our tips for (almost) magically removing pacifiers
- 👏 Every time your child doesn't take his Pacifier, praise him.
- 📅 Imagine a calendar where every day without a pacifier is rewarded with a sticker or a little drawing. Place it prominently so that every member of the family can congratulate your child.
- 🧺 If your child is a little older, try decorating a pretty box together where you can store the pacifier and keep it as a keepsake.
- 📚 Use the power of little stories! Now that baby's grown up and no longer needs it, his pacifier can go off to help other babies.
And remember, there's no perfect time or age for weaning baby off the pacifier. What's important is that you and your baby feel ready to make this transition smoothly. As with all stages of your baby's growth, listening and caring 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: Pacifier is good, but not all the time.
- The golden age of weaning: between 2 and 4 years, but don't panic if it takes longer!
Our bonus tip for softer nights
Create a soothing bedtime ritual: a warm bath, a story, a cuddle, a lullaby... A habit you can easily repeat every night. Pacifier can be part of it, but not the central element.
And don't forget: the difficult nights, the doubts, the moments of tiredness... It's all part of being a parent and it passes quickly, even if it's sometimes hard to believe at the time.
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
Découvrir notre gamme
