Babies and pacifiers. What is there purpose and are they needed?

Question

I was wondering what the point of a pacifier is? Is it just to keep a kid quiet? Can you not give a baby a pacifier ever in their life? They just have to be weened off them anyway. They get conditioned to sucking on something nd might start a habit of sucking on their thumb when you take a pacifier away. That can cause teeth problems. Would it be a good idea to not give a kid a pacifier? And with that same idea, could you not give a child a bottle at bed?

Answer 1

me and my brothers all had dummies when we were little - i loved my dummy!!!! mum easily got rid of it- she told me that she was going to give it to sallys baby (a character on coronation street) lol i was happy to give it up!! i never sucked my thumb and i dont have bucked teeth! they are fine and im going to def use one for my baby.

Answer 2

I'm sorry, but your thoughts are wrong.  Babies are *born* with a sucking instinct.  Some babies even suck their thumbs in utero.  This sucking instinct is what ensures that a baby nurses and eats.  Some babies have a stronger sucking instinct than others and need to suck more than just when they're eating.  The options for them to suck on are pretty limited.  They can nurse whenever they want to suck, even if they aren't eating, they can suck their thumbs when they get a bit older, or they can suck on a pacifier.  For a newborn, a pacifier is definitely the best option, unless Mom happens to not mind being a human pacifier.

Older babies and toddlers that you see with pacifiers are because Mom hasn't helped them learn a different comfort/soothing/security method.  They had their pacifiers when they were infants because they were needed, but they turned in to something that was used to comfort them when anything went wrong.  Then they turn into "security blankets".  Older babies can be taught to use something else as a comfort and a security, like a stuffed toy.

Pacifiers are a great thing.  They help reduce the risk of SIDS when given to a baby during sleep, and as previously mentioned help prevent babies from nursing continuously when they don't need to.  They definitely have their place and their benefits and when used properly cause no detrimental problems like you seem to think.

Answer 3

it depends. some kids dont like it. but it can lead to them suckingtheir thumb, and their teeth being crooked. and it is a good idea to give them a bottle depending on the age. when they can hold it for themselved, then they could, but if they cant hold it, then you shouldnt beacuse it might lead to vomitting. i hoped this helped =].

Answer 4

Well you don't NEED to give a baby a pacifier. The point of a pacifier really is to "pacify" or calm the baby down. And really most babies are sucking on their thumb even in the womb. I have quiet a few ultrasound pictures of my son doing it. It is just something babies do. Some continue to do it once they are born but some don't.

My son only uses a pacifier when he is trying to go to sleep (I used to breastfeed him so I think it has to do with that) and right when he falls asleep, out it pops. That is usually how we know he is asleep...lol. My friend on the other hand, her daughter goes to bed without a pacifier.

And though a pacifier isn't for every baby, giving a baby/child a bottle at bed isn't a wise idea just because they get used to having it at night and it can become a sleep crutch. And if they have teeth it can cause tooth rot which isn't a good thing. If the baby/child must have a bottle for bed, just make sure it is plain old water.  

Answer 5

All of my children have broke themselves off their pacifiers.  My daughter never took one.  She hated it, and just spit it out.  The nurses in the hospital tried to make her take one, and she wouldn't take it.  Supposedly the doctors say that pacifiers help prevent SIDS(sudden infant death syndrome) now, it helps them soothe themselves, and at times makes teething either.  I prefer not to give my child a bottle at bed.  They get a drink before they go to bed, but giving a bottle at bed could cause tooth decay.  Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Some kids like pacifiers and some do not. I know that babies like sucking on something to sooth them. Even when breastfeeding, babies like to suck on the nipple even when not trying to get milk out. I do agree that it is not the best thing for all babies and for all stages, but for tiny babies it works. None of my kids took a pacifier if they didn't want it. My son spit his out at 6 months when he got teeth, first daughter liked her thimb instead, and baby #3 only likes it when she wants to sleep. So each child is different. the bottle at bed is a little different. If there is milk or juice in it and they have teeth, they could be harming the teeth. Hope this helps!

Answer 7

Yes all this is very possible.....my sone never like a pacificer, the only time he ever used it is when he had a bad teething problem.......other that that he hated the thing.......the whole purpose of a pacificer is to sooth a baby......babies like to suck.....so when u have a baby and u find that ur baby is sucking way to much give them the sucky(thats what i call it) and thwey will be soothed of the sucking motion......for the bottle thing...if u gwt ur baby into a rutine at a good age of having a bottle before bed and if u can stay up in the middle of the night to feed ur baby after days and days of hardly no sleep that baby  will go to bed with out a bottle....but if u are busy lots, cant keep urself awake and just give the baby a bottle at bedtime and they do it themselves......they will get into the rutine of going to sleep with a bottle....its all up to u on how u want to do it.....everything comes naturally i swear!!!!

Answer 8

The pacifier is a soothing device. The sucking motion is calming. While some kids like them, others don't.  Studies show that kids who use pacifiers are less likely to die from SIDS then those who do not. So while some pediatricians may not encourage their use, they won't discourage it either. Most pediatric dentists will say as long as you get your kid off them by the time they are three, you won't have any damaging effect on their teeth.

My son never used the pacifier. My daughter is addicted to hers. So I am not looking forward to the drama that will undoubtedly ensue when hers get taken away. Cold turkey, I am told, is the way to do that.

As for giving a bottle to a child in bed, that is not recommended. Something with the angle of the head and the milk/formula collecting near the back of the mouth. Bad for the teeth.

Answer 9

There are 2 schools of thought where pacifiers are concerned- In my opinion and experiences I have found the pacifier to be of profound help in allowing babies to do what is natural for them in their very early years suck- This is also an emotional part of development-It is not given to the baby to help him keep 'Quiet' but  to let the baby be soothed by the sucking action, which Keeps the  baby contented-If you read the old book of Dr. Spock & baby care ( ancient now!) but still used as the Young Mothers Bible-

I agree with you about the teeth jutting out with thumb sucking-

Giving a child a bottle in bed is fine as long as you supervise it -One should use Common sense when  caring for a child- all the manuals and books cannot replace that gut feeling- If in doubt, you can refer to a manual  - I feel a child brings out the  hidden  nurturing instinct in a mother! Your child is a living breathing little miracle born from within you- MORE LOVE will help to send that subtle message to your little one than 'shall I give the pacifier or not' thinking!

Answer 10

Babies have a sucking instinct. Some more than others. My 9 yr. gave up her pacifier when she was 8 months old, and my 7 yr gave it up at 11 months, but my 21 yr still needs his pacifier to fall asleep, and anytime he experiences minor trauma. So every child is unique, but for infants I would recommend a pacifier as it soothes the child, and makes mom be more relaxed too.