Many young parents find it very difficult to decide on children's accessories. What does a baby need in the first months of life, and what can you do without? It's no secret that goods for children have a rather high price, which may be too expensive for many. That is why it is important to familiarize yourself with the products before buying, highlight all the pros and cons, and also determine the need for an item for a specific family. The newborn pacifier is one of the most popular accessories.
Does a newborn really need a pacifier?
The dummy is one of the most controversial baby items. Some are categorically against pacifiers, while others, on the contrary, cannot imagine life without such a device.
All for
First of all, it is necessary to understand that the main reflex in newborns and children of the first months of life is sucking. He needs to be satisfied.
The act of sucking stimulates the development of the digestive and nervous systems, in particular the brain.
Breastfed babies often do not accept and refuse a pacifier. This is due to the fact that babies satisfy the sucking reflex with the mother's breast. Natural feeding is organized at the request of the child. Therefore, the mother can easily understand when the baby is hungry or when he needs “communication” with his mother. But even breastfeeding may require a pacifier.
There are situations when a mother cannot breastfeed this minute, then a dummy can distract the child, satisfy the sucking reflex. Also, under some circumstances, for example, in a clinic during various medical procedures, it is necessary to calm down the child, then baby pacifiers are indispensable helpers.
On the street, children often wake up and start crying, and so that the child does not swallow the cold air, the mother can give a dummy. This accessory provides the baby with psychological comfort and allows you to feel calm.
Infants who are bottle-fed almost always need to satisfy the sucking reflex. Because bottle feeding comes at regular intervals at certain times. The on demand principle does not apply to “artificial” babies. Therefore, a dummy for such children is recommended for use.
Facts against dummy
Most dentists claim that overuse of the pacifier leads to the development of a malocclusion (open). This pathology is formed in those children who are constantly offered a pacifier, regardless of the circumstances. Usually these children are very excitable. And to calm such a child, parents are forced to use a pacifier.
In the process of growth and development of a child, it is possible to observe a violation of diction and articulation in children who abused this accessory in infancy.
Some studies have shown that constant sucking on a pacifier increases the risk of ear infections. Because this process increases the pressure in the auditory tube, and the likelihood of infection increases dramatically. It is not uncommon for a child to demand the mother's attention when crying. But parents may misinterpret this situation and offer a dummy, thus the baby cannot satisfy his needs for "communication".
Many experts recommend weaning a baby off the pacifier after 6 months. Because the baby becomes independent and is able to lift the nipple off the floor by himself if it falls. As a result, parents face the problem of sterility. Mom may simply not have time to follow the baby who constantly takes out or drops the pacifier. These children may develop various intestinal infectious diseases.
The problem of weaning is most acute for those parents who put their child to bed with a pacifier every day. Such children become very attached to her and cannot imagine a restful sleep without a dummy.
Soother and breastfeeding
Mothers who are breastfeeding their baby need to be careful with the pacifier.
Do not offer a pacifier to a baby before breastfeeding.
The technique for sucking a pacifier and a breast is significantly different. During feeding, the baby needs to open his mouth wide and grab not only the nipple, but also the areola. The mother's nipple must be at the root of the baby's tongue for effective sucking. When using a pacifier, the baby does not need to perform the above steps. Consequently, the baby may not breastfeed due to difficulty in sucking. Ineffective feeding contributes to stagnation of milk in the mother's breast, insufficient weight gain of the baby, and also a decrease in the amount of milk.
How to choose the right pacifier?
The dummy is the simplest item among baby supplies. But even when buying such a product, you need to be careful and pay attention to some features.
Optimal pacifier shape
The optimal pacifier shape is the shape that follows the shape of the mother's nipple. Thanks to this, the baby will not only feel psychological comfort, but also will not give up the mother's breast. The most popular shape is the classic round one.
This form is most familiar to the generation of past years. This nipple pattern really follows the shape of the mother's nipple. The pacifier is rounded and tapering at the stop. The main disadvantage of such a nipple is the formation of an incorrect (open) bite.
Currently, new modern models are being created that solve the problem of changing the facial skeleton. This model includes anatomical dummy... The nipple has a smoother shape and tapers towards the stop. The anatomical pacifier is otherwise called teardrop-shaped. This model completely repeats the baby's oral cavity.
The most thoughtful is orthodontic pacifier... This nipple minimizes malocclusion. It is the flattest in comparison with the previous ones, and also has a sloping nipple. The orthodontic pacifier is also an anatomical option and is recommended for use by dentists.
The size
The size of the pacifier should be selected taking into account the age and individual characteristics of the child. The smallest models are created for premature and frail babies. Newborn nipples are smaller for greater comfort during use.
Different types of pacifiers have their own dimensional grid. But the most common dimensional variation is age-based models. The smallest nipples can be used up to 6 months, the middle category is designed for babies from 6 to 12 or 18 months. And the largest ones can be offered to a child over 18 months old. Some brands provide shorter age intervals.
Material
The material may vary. The most budgetary are latex models. This material is not recommended for use, because it is not dense and elastic enough. As a result, the baby after such a nipple may refuse to breast. Also, latex has an unpleasant odor and a specific taste.
Modern pacifiers are made from safe silicone. It is transparent, odorless and tasteless. And also the main advantage is its density and elasticity, thanks to which the baby is less likely to abandon the mother's breast. An important fact is that silicone is harder to chew than latex.
Pacifier appearance
When choosing a pacifier, you should pay attention to the limiter itself (the part of the pacifier that is located directly on the baby's face). It must have a special cutout for the nose. Such a notch can be symmetrical, for more convenience during sucking. It is also necessary to have holes so that the baby can breathe calmly. On the modern market, you can observe various variations of the nipple - with a built-in thermometer or a dispenser for administering drugs during illness.
Accessory accessories
Together with the pacifier, the manufacturer offers a large number of different accessories.
It is better to give preference to pacifiers that come with a protective hygienic cap.
In the absence of a cap, you can find a special container where you can store a clean, processed pacifier. To prevent the baby from losing and throwing the pacifier on the floor, devices have been created that are attached with one side to the baby's clothes, and the other to the pacifier. Thus, keeping the pacifier on the baby's clothes. But this accessory does not protect against pathogenic microorganisms.
Where should you buy pacifiers?
Today, finding a dummy is not a problem. The important point is that the product must be certified. Modern manufacturers undergo product testing and have quality certificates.
Specialty stores
Every year, more and more specialized children's stores are being created, even in small towns. There you can find a large selection of children's products from various foreign manufacturers. You can also find a pacifier at any nearby pharmacy.
Online Stores
Online shopping is very convenient, and many parents switch to shopping on this site. You can choose and order a product without leaving your home. This fact is an indisputable advantage for parents who have a small child. Online stores can be found both in large specialized children's hypermarkets and in various foreign brands that provide this or that product.
Rules for using a baby pacifier
Before using the pacifier, it is necessary to boil the item or process it in a special sterilizer. It is very important not to hang the pacifier from a string around the baby's neck because there is a high risk of suffocation. In order to attach the pacifier to the baby's clothes, there are all kinds of fixators.
It is recommended to use a pacifier as needed. After use, it is important to store it dry in a special container or under a protective cap. During the day, it is recommended to treat the nipple with boiling water at least once a day and as it gets dirty.
Mothers are strictly forbidden to lick a pacifier before giving it to a child!
It is recommended to change the pacifier if cracks or other defects have formed on it. It is also important to observe the teat life, which is always indicated on the packaging. The average lifespan of latex teats is about 3 weeks, and silicone teats up to 5.
Pediatrician's opinion: whether or not to give a baby a pacifier
Whether to give the child a dummy or not is up to the mother to decide. One has only to heed some advice. It is recommended to use only high quality and safe silicone nipples. Choose either anatomical or orthodontic pacifier shape. And you should also change it to a new one in time. It is important to use nipples only in certain situations. Constant sucking on a pacifier leads to addiction and painful weaning from it. Proper use of the teat and a sense of proportion cannot harm the baby.
The best for children. Review of the popular and best pacifiers
It is recommended to buy pacifiers from well-known and proven manufacturers for children. The packaging of such nipples contains not only the product, but also the instructions, the composition of the product. Certified brands make pacifiers only from safe and hypoallergenic materials.
The best and most popular pacifiers that are in demand among moms.
Philips Avent
This brand offers a wide variety of pacifiers. Newborn nipples are very soft, elastic and lightweight. The small size is ideal for babies from 0 to 2 months. The orthodontic pacifier does not interfere with the correct formation of the baby's bite. The newborn pacifier has a protective cap included. The package includes 2 nipples and the price is about 450 - 500 rubles.
The classic Avent teat is extremely popular. This pacifier has a different size, which is indicated on the package and corresponds to a certain age. The anatomical nipple is made of dense, high-quality silicone. 6 ventilation holes allow the child to feel comfortable and do not interfere with calm breathing. The advantage of such pacifiers is also a wide variety of colors and colorful pictures. The nipples also have protective caps.
The price for 2 pacifiers is 550 rubles.
The disadvantages of some mothers include the fact that moisture sometimes gets inside the nipple. The manufacturer also manufactures pacifiers that have glow-in-the-dark elements. It is very convenient to use such nipples at night, because it is easy to find such a product in the dark.
Philips AVENT pacifiers
Pigeon
Japanese nipples are anatomically shaped. Pacifiers that come from 0 can be used up to 4 months. The quality material of the pacifier is the main advantage. Babies love the beautiful colors. The affordable price is also a plus and is 340 rubles. For such a dummy, you need to buy a protective container.
Soother silicone anatomical Pigeon Typewriter 6+ (1 pc)
Dr. Brown's
The dummy of the American manufacturer is unique in its kind. The teat is tear-shaped and slightly curved, with a special air duct inside that lets air out and in, which minimizes air swallowing. This nipple has some anti-colic effect. The main advantage of the pacifier, in addition to its quality, is that it comes with a protective cap with a ventilation system. The price is 360 rubles.
Pacifier Dr. Brown s Advantage, from 0 months, PA12001, 2 pieces
NUK
The German manufacturer offers a choice of different nipples, which have their own age category. The nipple has an orthodontic shape, which captivates the buyer. In addition to silicone pacifiers, the manufacturer also produces latex pacifiers, but they are not popular. The colors are very colorful and original. Some products have glow in the dark elements.
One of the downsides is the lack of a protective cap. Therefore, it is recommended to buy a special container for an additional fee.
The price is 280 rubles.
Silicone orthodontic soother NUK Classic Rose & Blue 0-6 m (1 piece)
Chicco
The nipples from this manufacturer are also unique. Because the brand's most popular model is the all-silicone pacifier. Solid silicone does not allow microorganisms to accumulate, while in other models this is possible at the joints of products. This dummy is easier to handle. The nipple is orthodontic. Also, the pacifier can be used as a teething device during certain periods of a child's life. It is recommended to use this pacifier after 6 months because it is too heavy for newborns.
The price is 300 rubles. The disadvantages include the fact that the nipple does not have a protective cap, and such a pacifier does not fit in many containers. The volumetric size is provided by a non-folding silicone ring.
Silicone orthodontic pacifier Chicco Physio Soft 0-6 m (1 pc)
Conclusion
The newborn pacifier is the most controversial baby item that has a lot of pros and cons.No specialist can categorically answer the question whether a dummy can be used or not. The only thing a mom can get from a doctor is the recommendations that should be followed while using a pacifier. The pacifier should be offered to the child in certain situations and the choice of this product should be carefully chosen in order to avoid problems with breastfeeding and weaning.
