When we are going to become parents for the first time, they begin to parade through our conversations a series of questions about decisions that we will have to make regarding the upbringing and care of our children. One of them is the question that no doubt every parent has asked: will we use the pacifier?
Many say it is harmful to health, while other parents see him as the hero in times of crisis. I share your advantages and disadvantages, as well as my personal experience so that you make the decision that works best for you and your baby.
Advantages of using the pacifier
Let's start talking about the benefits of using the pacifier, which are several and we will have to recognize them. The main function of the pacifier is to give comfort to the baby, making it mimic the suction it performs when it takes the mother's breast. When used properly, it can be an ally for mothers and fathers.
The biggest advantage of the pacifier is that it helps calm the baby and sometimes even sleep it. In a time of crisis or crying when the mother is not close or for some reason can not breastfeed, help reassure him. Not for nothing in English they call him pacifier, which means "pacifier."
Recent studies have proven that in addition helps prevent sudden infant death syndrome. In one of them, they saw that the pacifier worked as a protector, since sucking at times facilitates a less deep sleep, reducing the risk of sudden death by 70%.
Disadvantages of using the pacifier
Although there was a time when using the pacifier was expected, it has recently been discovered that it can have its disadvantages, especially if it is misused, either by resorting to it excessively or leaving it on the baby all the time.
We must keep in mind that there is a recommended age range to offer the pacifier. For example, it is recommended not to offer it to the baby during the first month of age because may interfere with breastfeeding, making it harder to accustom baby to the mother's breast, because although it mimics sucking, it is definitely not the same.
Also, the age limit to use it is 12 months, because that's when the risk of sudden death is drastically reduced and more than benefit, it becomes somewhat counterproductive it could increase the possibility of having dental problems and a delay in language development.
So, use the pacifier, yes or no?
I tell you my experience, waiting to help you make a decision:
When I was pregnant, a friend who was studying medicine told me that for nothing in the world I gave my daughter's pacifier, since in addition to plugging his teeth, it would cause the fontanel to sink due to constant suction (which now that I think about it years later, doesn't make much sense). On top of that he told me everything in a voice of alarm and seriousness, which made the pregnant first that I was at that time panicked and thought that the pacifier was the creation of the devil himself.
When my daughter was born the story was different. It was very difficult for us to start breastfeeding as nature dictates because I could not accommodate it in my chest and because of ridiculous fears of a first-time mother, I did not ask for help or advice. She cried and I was very nervous, so one day we tried the pacifier and it worked. I rested and she rested. Although we managed to have mixed lactation for 8 months, the pacifier was present. Especially because I returned to work when she was two months old and served to comfort her when I was not around.
But even though we used it, I always tried to limit the time I had it on. I used it when I couldn't calm her tears or when I had hours trying to sleep her, it was already early in the morning and I had to work within a few hours. Little by little we reduced the time of use, until about 12 months I only asked for his nap and at bedtime. In both cases, once asleep, he took it off.
Over time I noticed that if I didn't offer it to her sometimes she forgot to ask for it, so one day, I decided not to give it to her anymore. I explained that I no longer needed him to sleep and that I would be close to hug her (we make colecho). He understood it well, and although he asked again about it a couple of nights later, he never cried or became sad for not having it.
In our case, dependence was never formed, no teeth were twisted, and there was no delay in language, and I think that all this was due to the fact that we always controlled the use of the pacifier. My conclusion about the pacifier would be that, if you don't see it necessary, don't use it. But if you need it, it is important to use it responsibly and with measure.
In the end, choosing to use a pacifier or not using it is the decision of each mother and father. If I had another baby, I wouldn't offer the pacifier as a first option, but if necessary, I would use it again carefully. Did you give your children a pacifier?
Photos | iStock
In Babies and more | When is the use of the pacifier harmful? AEP Recommendations on the use of the pacifier, Guide to the good use of the pacifier
