It ends up being the baby’s best friend, but if not used well it can hinder breastfeeding.
The pacifier performs a much more important function than being a typical element of the baby’s basket: perhaps it will become the child’s first comfort object. There are those who think that the pacifier has no advantage for the newborn, much less for an older baby. It is not like this. Infants have a highly developed sucking reflex, and most want to continue to do so after breastfeeding or bottle feeding and being satiated, and the pacifier allows it.
Many lactation experts advise offering the breast to the child when he is restless even if he is not hungry because the heat and contact with the mother reassure him. Resorting to the pacifier can be a valid option and you should not be afraid, they do not cause medical and psychological problems, but they fulfill the function of satisfying the constant need for sucking of the little one. To choose the best, take the following considerations into account:
1. It must be made of a single piece (all rubber) or a maximum of three (teat, base and ring) perfectly assembled so that they cannot be separated and swallowed by the baby.
2. If it has several pieces, the shield must be made of plastic and the teat made of latex or silicone and not exceed 3.3 cm in diameter.
3. The base must have rounded edges with two holes to facilitate breathing and be large enough so that the little one cannot put the entire pacifier in his mouth and is at risk of suffocation. You must also have a ring to be able to remove it from your mouth.
4. The pacifier should not be tied with a chain or string around the infant’s neck. It is also not convenient to tie it to the crib or the stroller because it could roll up with it and drown. It is better to leave it loose or hook it to the repeat with a special pacifier clip.
5. It should be sterilized during the first two months as a precaution, especially to eliminate germs that may appear due to the remains of milk. It is important to wash it frequently with soap and water and rinse it well before giving it and every time it falls on the floor or is put on a surface that is not too clean.
6. It should be renewed frequently because the teat softens with use and washes, the rubber is worn and can break, with the consequent risk of the baby swallowing the bits.
7. It is better not to turn to him to sleep.
Finally, remember that you should never buy a pacifier in an establishment that does not offer enough guarantees because not all that are sold are valid. A safe pacifier must meet the quality and safety standards set by the responsible institution, which will appear on its packaging.