Pacifiers can be very useful. Learn how to use them safely.

Recent research has concluded that pacifiers may decrease the risk of SIDS when used during sleep. The reasons for this, however, are not yet fully understood. Because of these findings, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now recommending pacifiers at bedtime until the age of one. If you are breastfeeding, the AAP recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established, usually about a month, before offering a pacifier or bottle.

Now, let's discuss pacifier safety 101.

One piece pacifiers are the safest. Two piece pacifiers can become disconnected posing a chocking hazard. They can also harbor harmful bacteria in between the creases, where the nipple joins the base. The one piece pacifiers that I love are both the Soothies and Gumdrops pacifiers. I have noticed that the Gumdrop pacifier tends to stay in a baby's mouth better than the Soothie does. However, every baby is different so I would recommend trying one or the other before stocking up on a particular one.

Do not put your baby's pacifier on a string or ribbon since this can cause accidental strangulation.

The safest pacifiers are those made of natural, unprocessed rubber or clear silicone. Avoid pacifiers made of latex or those made of PVC plastic (recycle label #3) and polycarbonate plastic (recycle label #7).

Offer your baby a clean, dry pacifier.

Do not force your baby to take the pacifier.

Pacifiers are very consoling to babies and meet their developmental drive to suck. Pacifiers can also be very helpful to parents...that is until it's time to take it away. Be prepared, this task can be very challenging!

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Diba Tillery RN, BSN
Babies 411 is an on-line information and resource center for parents. It has been developed by Diba, a neonatal intensive care nurse, with the sole purpose of promoting the health, safety, and well-being of all babies.