Why Do Babies Use Pacifiers?

At long last the time finally comes when baby arrives. If this is your first baby I am sure that you are just overwhelmed with how to do this and what to do with that. All first parents are. There are so many things not known that can only be learned from experience.

Parents of many are still learning too. Each new baby is just that- new. Every baby is different. There are some things though that remain the same. For example, all newborns have certain reflexes.

One of those relaxes is a sucking reflex. Baby automatically will make the sucking action. This often indicates that baby wants to eat but will continue once baby is full. Baby may not need to eat more but may rather be practicing sucking.

Many parents use pacifiers. Pacifiers are available at all grocery and drug stores. You can also find them at your local department store in the baby section. There are many shapes, colors, styles, and types to choose from. Read all packages carefully and be sure to select a tiny one meant just for newborns!

Many hospitals will also offer baby a pacifier, and give you one to keep. This is the reason why. Pacifiers help baby to satisfy their sucking reflex. Once baby has already had his fill of breast milk or formula he may still want to suck but does not need to eat. A pacifier satisfies the need to suck without overfeeding baby.

Once the sucking reflex is gone the pacifier should be as well. A pacifier after three months of age is really not highly recommended. There are many reasons why.

Firstly a pacifier being used once baby has teeth, even only one tooth, will increase the likely hood of tooth problems. A pacifier can make straight teeth crooked.

The other main reason to not use a pacifier after three months of age is because baby will become attached to it as a means of security. If this happens you’ll be lucky to get it away without a fight. Some children keep pacifiers until they are two or three. They use them for comfort and to fall asleep with. This just is not good and can also damage babies teeth.

Pacifiers are meant to satisfy a newborns sucking reflex. All newborns have this instinct and urge to suck. They will do so when hungry, and will do so when not. After baby has been fully fed they still may need to satisfy their sucking reflex. Offering a pacifier can help baby to do this. Once baby is three months old or has their first tooth it’s time to let the pacifier go. It becomes potentially damaging and unnecessary. Toddlers with pacifiers use them as comfort devices. They can also make straight teeth crooked, and increase the likely hood of decay.

Taking a pacifier away from baby at three months is simple, you just don’t give it to them any more. Taking a pacifier away from a toddler can be a nightmare. Toddlers who fall asleep with pacifiers will take weeks to learn to sleep without it once it’s gone. The damage that prolonged pacifier use causes to teeth is irreversible and costly to fix. You can easily prevent it by taking the pacifier once the sucking reflex is outgrown! Take care and thanks for reading!