Utilizing pacifiers with breastfed infants all the time appears to be a controversial subject. Can my child have a pacifier? Ought to I wait to introduce one? Will it trigger nipple confusion? What are the most effective pacifiers for breastfed infants? The questions may go on. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2022 updated breastfeeding guidelines studies {that a} assessment reveals introducing a pacifier earlier than or after the mom and child duo set up breastfeeding doesn’t influence the length of breastfeeding for a wholesome, full-term child up till 4 months of age.1
It’s possible you’ll suppose, “That is nice information, however is there a catch?” Not likely, however listed here are some pointers to be sure you and your child use a pacifier appropriately to not interfere with breastfeeding. In the end, the choice is as much as you, the mum or dad — pacifier or no pacifier. Let’s dive into the advantages, dangers, and steering for learn how to choose the most effective pacifier for breastfed infants.
Advantages of Pacifier Use
It could be laborious to consider, however there are advantages to toddler pacifier use. Let’s begin with one of the vital vital advantages. Analysis has proven that when an toddler makes use of a pacifier when positioned to sleep, it could possibly lower the danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Pacifier use has additionally been proven to supply infants consolation, has been related to serving to infants after they’re in ache, and even might help untimely infants develop a sucking reflex. And lastly, introducing the pacifier decreases the danger of growing a thumb- or finger-sucking behavior.2
Dangers of Pacifier Use
You could all the time weigh the advantages and dangers to find out what’s greatest in your child. That is even true when deciding whether or not to introduce a pacifier to your breastfed child. There are a handful of advantages to pacifier use but additionally dangers. One in every of these dangers contains the influence of pacifier use on growing otitis media as an toddler and later as a baby. Pacifiers additionally pose an elevated threat of inflicting issues equivalent to oral yeast infections as a result of carrying micro organism and different germs. And, after 36 months outdated, the danger of growing dental and orthodontic points rises.2
Vital Notice for Pacifier Use for Breastfed Infants
Pacifiers are a superb device for helping babies soothe and relax when upset. It’s important to pay shut consideration to your infant’s hunger cues. Don’t delay or miss a feeding by giving your child the pacifier. The pacifier ought to by no means be an alternative choice to the breast.
Learn how to Select a Pacifier for Breastfed Infants
The AAP offers the next steering on selecting a pacifier:3
- The pacifier shouldn’t be capable of come aside. A number of items can enhance the danger of choking. The pacifier ought to be of single development.
- The pacifier ought to have air flow holes and measure not less than 1.5 inches throughout. This prevents the newborn from becoming the entire pacifier of their mouth, serving to forestall choking.
- Don’t connect a pacifier to a wire or strap, particularly across the toddler’s neck. This might result in an damage.
- By no means use a bottle nipple as a pacifier. The total nipple may simply go into the toddler’s mouth.
- Don’t drive a child to make use of a pacifier in the event that they don’t need it.
- Often examine the pacifier earlier than giving it to the toddler. Pacifiers can break and deteriorate.
Though the AAP offers steering on what to search for in a pacifier, they don’t particularly suggest a kind or model of pacifier. The huge pacifier market has many shapes, colours, nipple sizes, and supplies. It might be a trial-and-error course of to see what pacifier works greatest in your child. A breastfeeding child might profit from utilizing a pacifier that intently resembles the mom’s nipple, however no analysis helps this.
5 Choices for the Finest Pacifiers for Breastfed Infants
Listed here are 5 nice choices for pacifiers for breastfed infants.
1. Philips Avent Soothie
The Philips Avent Soothie, recognized to many because the “hospital paci,” is a one-piece design fabricated from silicone. This pacifier has the bonus of being designed to help bonding by means of the flexibility to position a finger within the nipple to encourage suckling. The nipple barely resembles mothers with a straight nipple and broader pacifier base. Its silicone materials additionally helps with oral improvement and makes it straightforward to wash and sterilize.
2. Dr. Brown’s HappyPaci
With a broader base and straight nipple, this pacifier resembles a mom’s nipple form. This can be useful when introducing the pacifier to the toddler. The HappyPaci is light-weight, fabricated from silicone, and has a singular “butterfly-shaped protect” that curves away from the nostril and cheeks. As for security considerations, the pacifier is made of 1 full piece, minimizing the danger of choking.
When deciding whether or not to make use of a pacifier in your breastfed child, it’s as much as you. Do what’s greatest in your baby. Discovering the suitable pacifier match may not occur instantly, however the market is huge. With the varied supplies, sizes, shapes, and textures, there may be certain to be a pacifier to fulfill each child’s want. When making an attempt pacifiers together with your baby, chances are you’ll have to strive a number of earlier than discovering the most effective match.
3. Evenflo Feeding Steadiness
This pacifier is designed by feeding specialists and has a cylindrical-shaped nipple, making it favorable for breastfeeding infants as a result of its resemblance to a mom’s nipple. The pacifier is fabricated from 100% silicone and is one full piece, which is all the time beneficial to lower the danger of choking. The silicone materials makes this pacifier not solely versatile but additionally very light-weight.
4. Tommee Tippee Breast-like Pacifier
It is a pacifier particularly designed to imitate a mom’s nipple in terms of its really feel, flexibility, and skill to stretch. As a bonus, the bottom of the pacifier was created to curve away from the newborn’s face to permit for higher airflow and reduce irritation to the newborn’s pores and skin.
5. Nanobebe Flexy Pacifier
The Nanobebe Flexy Pacifier is a comfortable, versatile pacifier designed to suit snugly round your child’s nostril and to their child’s assist the pacifier keep in place. It’s fabricated from 100% silicone, offering the comfortable, acquainted really feel of a mom’s breast. The silicone materials additionally makes it straightforward to wash and sterilize.
We hope this listing offers you confidence in selecting the most effective pacifier in your breastfed child.
Sources
1. Meek JY, Noble L. Technical Report: Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. Pediatrics. 2022;000(0):e2022057989
2. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Coverage on pacifiers. The Reference Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, In poor health.: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2022:86-9.
3. https://www.healthychildren.org/
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