Giving Your Newborn a Pacifier for Sleep: Benefits and Risks (2024)

When Should You Introduce a Pacifier to a Newborn?

Babies may start using pacifiers at different times based on their situation.

Breastfed Babies

For those who plan to breastfeed their babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends delaying pacifier use until the baby is at least 3 to 4 weeks old and they have established a routine with breastfeeding. Introducing pacifiers earlier than that may interfere with successful breastfeeding.

Many experts believe a pacifier could lead to nipple confusion Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , but there is a lack of evidence Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source to support this theory. However, while some recent research suggests that starting a pacifier as early as 2 weeks may be safe as long as your baby has learned to breastfeed successfully Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , the AAP recommends waiting until your baby is about 1 month old.

There are a few specific situations where pacifiers may be used earlier. For example, a pediatrician may recommend using a pacifier as part of a special program to help a baby develop their oral motor skills. Pacifiers can also provide pain relief during certain medical procedures. It is important to consult your pediatrician or the hospital staff before offering your baby a pacifier for the first time.

Bottle-Fed Babies

Bottle-fed babies can start using pacifiers at any age, even right after birth. If parents or caregivers decide to offer their babies pacifiers, experts recommend using them every time the baby goes to sleep, including for naps.

Premature Babies

Studies suggest that for premature babies, using a pacifier can speed the transition to oral feeding, which it is important to start as soon as possible Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source to help them grow.

Preterm babies have trouble coordinating sucking, swallowing, and breathing Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source . Until they learn to feed on their own, premature babies generally stay in the neonatal intensive care unit so they can receive food through an oral or nasal tube. Pacifiers may help preterm babies develop their sucking muscles, so they can start feeding by mouth and gain weight faster.

A recent study found that using a pacifier did not negatively affect the transition to breastfeeding, the time to learn to feed, or the length of stay in the hospital. However, babies who practiced sucking on the mother’s emptied breast Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source instead of a pacifier were more likely to breastfeed exclusively when they were discharged from the hospital.

Benefits of Sleeping with a Pacifier

Pacifiers provide newborns with several benefits, particularly during their first 6 months Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source . Pacifiers can calm babies when they are feeling fussy or anxious. They may also relieve pain and ease their crying during medical procedures. Research suggests non-nutritive sucking, such as on a pacifier, may support healthy baby sleep.

Using a pacifier during sleep also appears to significantly lower a baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), although researchers still do not understand the specific reason why Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , or even if the lower risk can be attributed solely to the use of a pacifier. It is possible pacifiers help babies stabilize their breathing and heart rate during sleep. Some researchers have proposed that using a pacifier might decrease the risk of SIDS by keeping the baby somewhat aware during sleep, though more research is needed.

Pacifiers may also help keep the airway open during sleep by pushing the tongue forward. Alternatively, a pacifier may clear more space for breathing around the nose and mouth or help prevent a baby from rolling over onto their stomach, a position known to increase the risk of SIDS.

The protective effect of pacifiers is more pronounced when the baby is in an unsafe sleep environment, such as when they are sleeping on their stomach or their side, sharing their bed with an adult, or have soft bedding in their crib. But even in a safe sleep environment, or if the pacifier falls out Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech InformationThe National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information.View Source , the association between pacifiers and a lower risk of SIDS still holds.

Risks of Sleeping with a Pacifier

Pacifiers may help babies get the sleep they need, but in addition to potentially interfering with breastfeeding, they may contribute to dental issues, ear infections, and oral yeast infections.

Middle ear infections may be more common among babies who use pacifiers, but these are not typically a concern until the baby reaches 12 months old. Researchers have found that part of the increased risk can be attributed to a child entering a daycare environment. By limiting the use of a pacifier to bedtime, parents can reduce the number of middle ear infections.

Pacifier use can also lead to a crossbite, where the upper and lower teeth do not align correctly. However, this problem often goes away once the baby stops using a pacifier, and is unlikely to create long-term issues if the baby stops using a pacifier by the age of 3 years old.

Tips for Safely Introducing a Pacifier to Your Newborn

If you choose to offer your baby a pacifier, follow advice for safe pacifier use:

• Use the right size pacifier for your baby’s age
• Use one-piece pacifiers
• Do not attach anything to the pacifier
• Always use a clean pacifier
• Offer a pacifier at naptime and bedtime
• Do not substitute for feeding
• Do not force it

When Should You Stop Giving Your Baby a Pacifier for Sleep?

Experts offer different guidance about when to wean a baby off their pacifier, but most agree that caregivers should stop offering pacifiers between the ages of 6 months and 4 years.

To prevent dental issues, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends eliminating pacifiers once your child is 3 years old. To avoid middle ear infections, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend starting to decrease pacifier use between the ages of 6 and 12 months old. To reduce the chance that a pacifier might interfere with learning to talk, some experts recommend stopping pacifier use when a toddler is 14 months old.

Since the age range in which to eliminate the pacifier is so varied among experts, the parent should decide when it is best to eliminate the pacifier based on the benefits it provides, being mindful not to go past the upper recommended age of 4 years.

While pacifiers in early life are useful for strengthening your baby’s sucking reflexes, their importance after 6 months of age lies mainly in the sense of comfort they provide. To ease anxiety as your baby moves on from the pacifier, you can offer age-appropriate alternatives. Younger infants may find comfort in receiving a massage or having a lullaby sung to them. For toddlers, consider playing together or offering words of encouragement. Providing other things for self-soothing, like their blanket, a favorite toy or a stuffed animal can be additionally comforting. Stopping abruptly may also be effective.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

As part of routine visits to your pediatrician, ask them about the benefits and drawbacks of using a pacifier and whether they think it is appropriate for your situation. Your pediatrician can also advise you on best practices when using a pacifier and when to eliminate it, as well as alternatives if you decide you prefer not to.

While there is evidence that sleeping with a pacifier is associated with a reduced risk of SIDS, experts maintain that whether or not to use a pacifier is a parent’s personal decision. Healthy sleep is important for babies, and a pacifier may help with that. You can decide based on your needs and what makes you and your baby comfortable.

References

9 Sources