Raising kids raises questions. We have expert answers. So go ahead, ask away!
You probably have heard that if you give your baby a pacifier too early on, that they won't learn how to latch on to your breast or the bottle... Or maybe you've heard that their teeth will be forever destroyed by this little silicon (or do you use latex?) wonder... Or maybe you've heard that they're tiny dirt collectors, repeatedly infecting your baby with filth...?
All of these pacifier fears and the simple notion that it actually does work and can help soothe an upset baby or child leaves most parents conflicted and confused. Today, Lenore Skenazy, author of Free Range Kids, Dr. Cara Natterson, author of Dangerous or Safe, and Melissa Burnett, author of The Paci-fairy, break it down and discuss the pros and cons of pacifiers, and how to wean your kid off of one.
Still suck on the great big suck? Here's a recap with some great take away information:
Lenore Skenazy - "The pacifier worked for me!"
• Pacifiers are for one thing: To Pacify! Pacifiers were a lifesaver for my kids... and ME!. As a new mom, I needed sleep and When I gave the pacifiers to my sons, it was clear the pacifier was fulfilling some need they had.
• Kids Do Grow out of it! My kids were ADDICTED to their pacifiers, and guess what: they are 12 and 13 now and they aren’t sucking pacifiers! They don’t seem to be ravenously overeating, or mispronouncing words, or dribbling food down their chin. They turned out just fine! In fact, I don’t even remember how they quit – but they did! As do all kids!
• Pacifiers are better than tears! My aunt used to say “there’s nothing uglier than a child with a pacifier,” while LOOKING at my sons. But guess what! It’s way cuter than a screaming, inconsolable tot, so the pacifier wins.
Dr. Cara Natterson- "Pacifiers can be great, but there can be some downsides"
PROS:
• Pacifier Prevent SIDS- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pacifiers for infants to help prevent SIDS. The thought is that a baby who is sucking on a pacifier will not fall as deeply asleep as a baby who is not, and therefore has less of a chance of breathing problems.
• Not all babies can find their thumbs. Pacifiers provide a great means of soothing for these babies.
CONS:
• Pacifiers can be breeding grounds for germs. How often has your kid dropped a pacifier? And how often has he then picked it up and plopped it back in his mouth? Kids can ingest a lot of germs this way.
Melissa Burnett- Tips on How to Wean
• Start slow. Limit pacifier use to nights and naps only.
• Emphasize the fact that “big kids” don’t use pacifiers. Explain that as they grow up, they don’t need the pacifier anymore. Often, this is incentive enough.
• Ask them if they are ready. This is the most important step, because in order for this to work smoothly, your child must comply. They have to be a part of the decision process! Prepare, this may take one night, a couple weeks and maybe months, but ask them every day until you get "I'm ready".
• Create a character: Sometimes it’s helpful to create a character who will come and take the pacifier away and give it to a baby who needs it – a fairy or an angel, for example.
• Set a date and celebrate! Once they say "I'm ready", get excited and make a big deal out of this because your child is ready to graduate to a BIG girl or boy!
Top parenting experts provide expert advice to some of your most common parenting dilemmas. Presented in a “round table” format, you’ll benefit from their varying opinions and a wide range of expertise.
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