In addition to ensuring breastfeeding? and consequently the survival of the baby? sucking is natural to the baby since he is in the mother's womb, including many ultrasounds show, for example, babies sucking their fingers. In addition, suction movement also promotes endorphin release, which is directly related to the child's sense of pleasure and well-being.
Breastfeeding is sufficient to satisfy the baby's basic desire to suck and is also very important for the development of the jaw and other cheekbones, chewing muscles, dental occlusion and proper breathing. of child. However, it is a fact that the use of pacifiers, in order to "calm the baby", has been passed from generation to generation, and has become a cultural habit.
But when it comes to pacifiers, there are many doubts and contradictions. After all, should parents or not offer the pacifier to the baby? What health risks can it offer?
Tatiana Miranda, coordinator of the Leforte Children's Emergency Room, points out that the pacifier's history goes back thousands of years. Old writings from the 2nd and 4th centuries refer to the use of sugary or honeyed objects for babies to suck in to soothe them. Over the years these objects have been perfected to the way we know the pacifiers today, but always with the same goal ?, he says.
Are there advantages to using a pacifier?
Tatiana points out that, in special cases, there are advantages to using a pacifier:
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- Helps anticipate the onset of oral feeding in premature babies;
- Helps reduce stress in babies during painful procedures (such as collecting blood, for example);
- It can be used to stimulate suction in children with neurological diseases.
Some studies also show a possible protective effect of pacifiers against sudden death in infants.
Tatiana points out, however, that this is quite controversial in the literature. "Some studies show that it reduces the risk of sudden death because a pacifier helps keep the tongue from falling out." back during sleep? What causes asphyxiation, which leads to sudden death?
On the other hand, the doctor explains, studies show that breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden death in babies by 50%. "And because pacifiers reduce breastfeeding time, its use is also reported as a factor that increases sudden death," he says.
The pediatrician explains that the time the child usually uses the pacifier depends on the environment in which she lives, the family relationship with the child and the pacifier. "It is recommended that if the child is going to use it (which most professionals discourage), it should be up to one year old," he says.
6 reasons not to offer pacifiers to baby
Tatiana points out that there are disadvantages in the use of pacifiers, since it can pose risks to the baby's health.
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Know the main reasons why most professionals are against pacifier use:
- Prevents the establishment of breastfeeding and induces weaning when offered at times when the child cries;
- It is responsible for the shorter duration of breastfeeding;
- May cause choking;
- May cause poisoning or allergies;
- Increases the risk of tooth decay, infections and parasites;
- It causes teething and speech problems, especially if its use lasts beyond 3 or 4 years.
Ways to Calm a Baby Without Pacifiers
Tatiana exposes the main ways to? Reassure? a baby without offering him a pacifier:
- Breastfeeding;
- Offer affection;
- Nanar the baby;
- Try to find out why he is stressed and lessen that stress.
A study also showed that the use of music associated with offering breast milk in babies' mouths had a "soothing" effect. superior to pacifier use during painful hospital procedures ?, adds the pediatrician.
How to help the child drop the pacifier?
Tatiana points out that the ideal is for the child to drop the pacifier alone. "Your need to suck on something should naturally decrease as it grows," he says. However, the pediatrician gives some tips that may help her in this process:
- Keep an eye out and when the baby wants the pacifier, provide something to replace it;
- If the baby picks up a pacifier when bored, offer some more interesting activity, such as a book to flip through. Or, make funny faces to distract him;
- If your child tends to put a pacifier in her mouth when she is worried or feeling insecure, help her explain what she is feeling. Ask questions to find out what's going on and comfort it otherwise? with kisses and hugs, for example.
You now know the possible advantages and disadvantages of using a pacifier. It is noteworthy that the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics recommends that parents clearly have this view of? Pros and cons? in this regard, so that, with the baby's pediatrician, they can make the best decision as to whether or not to offer a pacifier.
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Pacifiers - Akron Children's Hospital video (March 2024)
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