Pacifiers – items that infants suck on – have a history possibly going all way the back to the Neolithic period. Today more than 75% of babies use them at least once during the first two months of life, but are they actually safe?
According to KYW medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough, they are. Still, parents have to be careful about how their babies are using pacifiers.
“It’s been long recognized that pacifiers can help comfort a baby, but studies in recent years have shown many more benefits,” he said “These benefits include a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome and a significant decrease in discomfort during air travel.”
Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics “supports parents in the decision to introduce a pacifier based on their infant’s needs and parental preference as pacifiers may be beneficial during the first few months of life,” per its pacifier recommendations. It also said that it can help premature infants develop the sucking reflex, offer comfort and soothing, provide an analgesic effect during minor invasive procedures, decrease the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and prevent a persistent finger-sucking habit.
However, McDonough noted that there are “things you should know that have a negative effect,” including putting sugar on a pacifier, which can increase the risk of infants developing cavities. Additionally, the AAP recommends against pacifiers containing or dipped in honey. It also warns about the risk of pacifiers harboring microbes and offers advice for proper sterilization via boiling and use of antimicrobial agents.
Furthermore, McDonough said that American Academy of Pediatrics “recommends using a single piece pacifier with a soft nipple and a shield at least one and a half inches in diameter with ventilation holes,” since other types can be a choking hazard. Straps, cords and attachments are not recommended by the AAP.
For infants who are breastfed, pacifier use should be delayed until breastfeeding is established, McDonough said. Prolonged use is not reccomended and use should be discontinued by the time children are around 36 months old.
Last month, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology announced a new development in pacifier technology that could make life easier for NICU patients. They developed a pacifier designed to monitor electrolyte levels in infants.
“Newborns must have their vitals checked frequently, and one of the most critical measures of newborn health is electrolyte levels. Right now, the only way to monitor electrolytes is to draw their blood multiple times a day,” said a press release from the university. “This can be painful and frightening for babies, and challenging to perform for medical staff, who can have trouble drawing blood from tiny, underdeveloped blood vessels.”