Reza Ahmadinia OBGYN, located in the Apple Valley and Victorville areas, has practiced gynecology, family planning, and obstetrics for several years. Dr. Ahmadinia is always happy to answer questions from expecting parents and pacifiers are a hot topic when discussing babies.
Pros and Cons of Using a Pacifier
There are just as many reasons to give babies pacifiers as there are not to give them one. Therefore, the parents-to-be should consider all the pros and cons before deciding whether or not to give their baby a pacifier.
Pacifier Pros
Studies have proved that babies who use pacifiers while sleeping are at a lower risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Of course, giving your baby a pacifier is not a guarantee against SIDS.
Pacifiers are known to help babies calm themselves down.
The sucking reflex is soothing, as babies are born knowing how to suck and they enjoy the action. The only thing you need to be cautious of here is, if you are breastfeeding, allowing your baby to nurse two or three weeks before introducing a pacifier, so that they know the difference between the two actions.
Pacifier Cons
Studies have indicated that some children who use a pacifier are more prone to ear infections. In these cases, pacifiers can lead to these children possibly needing tubes in their ears and can also lead to other ear-related problems later on.
Pacifiers and their effect on babies’ teeth are the big concern for many parents.
Clearly, the pros and the cons of babies and pacifiers do not pose much of an issue. As the parent, it shouldn’t be a difficult choice to make because in reality the cons do not weigh as heavily as one would think.
For more information about pacifiers or for an individual recommendation on pacifier use, contact us today at Reza Ahmadinia OBGYN.
