As we mentioned before, the pacifier is not mandatory at all and not all babies need a pacifier. However, and because (in the end) it remains a parents’ choice (whether or not to use a pacifier), here are some tips for you to know how to choose and decide for the best.
As we also mentioned before, the pacifier has advantages and disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage is the fact that it can cause deformations in the child’s teeth, which can cause numerous problems in the future.
This can happen due to the prolonged use of the pacifier and also to models that are not very anatomical and have long been discouraged by specialists. However, due to commercial pressure, they continue to be sold without any warning to parents and they often end up buying without realizing the risk they are taking and what they are causing their children, with that choice.
So let’s go by parts: Model, Size and Material!
Model:
When choosing a pacifier (if that is your decision), you should choose the one that is narrower (flat) in the area of the teeth and slightly flat and tilted upwards, in the area of the tongue.
To avoid, at all, are all water drop shapes, cherry and others, that do not comply with the rules described above.
There are even some health professionals who claim that these pacifiers are better, that they soothe a lot, but that they do not take these conditions into account. The use of a pacifier that does not follow these instructions may mean that the child will later require a dental device or even speech therapy sessions, among other problems that require specific care. It is because we have this concern, with the future well-being of babies, that we alert you to the importance of following these recommendations.
Size:
Also due to the above recommendation, less informed people will advise you to always use the smallest size (faulting by over-care) and this advice is just as wrong as using models that do not comply with the above rules.
The recommended size / age is related to the size of the mouth and the development of the baby / child. This size must be respected, except for premature newborns, for whom corrected age must always be taken into account (according to the degree of prematurity).
So summary: use the pacifier of the appropriate age and size, always!
Materials:
Silicone and rubber / latex are the two options almost always present in pacifiers and teats (among other accessories for babies).
Silicone is more hygienic and keeps looking good for a longer time, being just a little duller over time. On the other hand, silicone is friable, that is, it is possible to pierce and break, breaking into possible small pieces and this is a risk.
Rubber is a natural element and is more elastic, but it can start to lose qualities over time, it tends to get “sticky” and is less hygienic. As well as, it also has the potential to cause allergies since it is, in fact, latex and there are some people sensitive to latex.
So what is(are) the rule(s) here? There are 2 to follow:
Newborns, premature babies and/or babies who are allergic (or with allergic potential, allergic or asthmatic parents) should only use silicone.
Babies with teeth (even if they are only breaking) should only use rubber since the silicone is possible to pierce and break and with this, the baby may end up swallowing parts of the silicone without realizing it.
In short:
Babies do not need pacifiers, but if you decide that you want to use a pacifier on your children, choose anatomical, thin at the base and flattened and tilted upwards at the teat. Choose silicone for newborn (or baby with allergies) or rubber if you already have teeth and always in the age-appropriate size. 🙂
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