What is wrong with using a pacifier?

Question

I hear people on here always saying they arnt good to use. But everyone I know that has a baby uses one.

Answer 1

if you just look past all the old wives tales like, "it will cause their teeth to stick out" the only other thing i have heard bad is that babies become too dependant on them and they are very hard to break away from. luckily my kiddos never took them so i didnt have to worry about the things people would say.

Answer 2

i think the main risk is for a breastfeeding baby.  you should wait to give a pacifier until nursing is well established, just like you would wait with a bottle.  6-8 weeks is good.  a breastfed baby should be doing most of their sucking at the breast to maintain mom's milk supply, even if it's just "comfort sucking" anyway.

you also have to eventually take it away from the kid.  i would probably prefer my baby sucked a pacifier than their thumb because you can't take a thumb away, but i'm glad that neither of my kids sucked a thumb or a pacifier.  

Answer 3

If you are breastfeeding, it's best to wait about 8 weeks before introducing a pacifier to allow breastfeeding to be well established and avoid nipple confusion.

Answer 4

I first gave a pacifier to my daughter when she was 2 days old and wow, did it ever calm her down!  There are definitely occasions when it's a tired parents dream.  Since our daughter, and probably many babies, had a strong sucking reflex at an early age the paci really comforted her and I had no issue giving it to her.

But now that my daughter is 8.5 months old I'm finding that she doesn't really NEED it but is just used to having it.  And she's become dependent on it to fall asleep.  So in due time I'm going to wean her off it at sleep time.

I think it's up to each parent to do what's best for their kids.  If the paci makes their baby happy, then use it.  But when they become dependent on it or it becomes an everyday habit (come on, a 3 year old doesn't need one!) then it's time for the soother fairy to take it away!

Answer 5

I find that a lot of people use them as a substitute for nurturing and parenting, rather than as a means to address a baby's intense need to suck. Every time baby is fussy, they pop the pacy in. My son has never used one.

Answer 6

The only problem I can think of is what I went through. My daughter used one until she was around 2.5 years. It was a very hard habit to break from her and it required a weekend with no sleep. Babies are very soothed by the sucking and will learn to self soothe alot of times with one.

Answer 7

I don't have a problem with pacifiers, actually I really like using them for my baby.  They are actually good to use because they help the baby soothe themselves and now it helps prevent sids.  I didn't let my son have them after he was 14mos because I felt he didn't need them anymore.  I would have preferred to take them away when he turned one but he got sick and needed them for comfort.

Answer 8

Most people are against them while breasfeeding until you get your baby eating well. Nipple confusion is possible. My son doesnt seem to have any problems and I am happy that we gave him the pacifier. He is 6 weeks old and has no problem breastfeeding, or taking expressed milk from a bottle. He doesnt usually have the pacifier when he goes to sleep. We just give him it now then when he is fussy.

I agree that they are for babies and by 12 months old I plan to have him weened from it.

Answer 9

I don't see anything wrong with it. My baby (4.5 months) uses both a paci and sucks his thumb. It calms him down and relaxes him. It's a baby's natural instinct to want to suck. When he's asleep in the night and starts fussing and waking up a bit, because we are going to bed, I put his paci in his mouth and he falls right back into a deep sleep.

As he gets older and he'll still want a pacifier, he'll only get it to go to sleep. I don't like to see 2+ year olds walking around outside with pacifiers in their mouth.  

Answer 10

I would generally count myself in with the anti-pacifier crowd.  But I don't have a problem with them when used correctly with an infant.  In fact, there have been studies linking pacifier use to decreased risk of SIDS.  I despise seeing toddlers or preschoolers using them in public.

Answer 11

I think some people are against it because some women let their child use it up until 2 maybe 3 years old. Babies need to suck so I would rather have mine use the pacifier rather then her fingers. its easier to break them from a pacifier then her fingers. I made my mind if mine will ever use hers (she is good she isnt addicted to hers yet) my limit would be a year old. My doctor suggested using one, so I do.

edit: they are proven to reduced the risk of SIDS btw.

Answer 12

I don't have a problem with it as long as you take it away by the time the kid is 18 months old.  I just think its disgusting to see a 3 year old sucking on a pacifier.

Answer 13

nothing at all, the fact that its known to reduce SIDS if you settle baby to sleep with a paci is good enough for me.

Answer 14

There are better methods of soothing babies than jamming little plastic plugs into their mouths.

Answer 15

I couldnt have lived without one . and i am not sure how my daughter had but i know everywhere i turn i see one . thanks pacifier , you do the trick for us .  

Answer 16

I don't have a problem with pacifiers at all, I think most people have a problem with them because its hard to take them away once the baby gets older, if you DO use one, make sure that you take it away by the time they are 18 months or so, if you don't it can mess up their teeth.  

Answer 17

I don't see anything wrong with using one up to a certain point.  If a child uses one after the age of two it can cause ear infections and besides that I just don't like to see an older child sucking on a pacifier!

Answer 18

I used on for the first three months after my baby was born. they are good because they soothe them and help them feel nice.  after the three months I replaced it with a small toy or stuffed animal.  it took me a month to wean him from it, but he learned to soothe himself .  my favorite is MAM brand pacifier.  its ok to have one as long as its taken away alter preferably before they start teething ( it can help damage the teeth )

Answer 19

They are good for BABIES...babies like and need to suck...but they are hard to get rid of and once the baby has teeth it's bad for them to have one it can make their teeth grow funny... Nothing worse than seeing a kid that should be talking with  pacifer in its mouth and as long as mommy isn't using it to keep baby calm instead of holding baby when she needs to be held or fed....

Answer 20

The doctor told us it helps prevents SIDS if they suck on one before sleeping. But dont let them have it until they are of kindergarden age LOL