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An infant has a stong sucking reflex and can be calmed when offered a pacifier. If a baby continues to cry, increased air is sucked into the stomach which can result in painful gas and colic leading to more crying.
A pacifier can be helpful to your baby in the following ways:
• Decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Why? We don’t know for sure, but some experts believe that the sucking stimulates the breathing center in the brain, while others think that the paci itself helps keep the airway open. In either case, the evidence is strong enough that the American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests that it is protective for a pacifier to be used when placing an infant to sleep during the first year of life, but should not be reinserted once the infant is asleep. If nursing, you can wait until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier.
• Babies soothe themselves by sucking
Your breast is not meant to be a pacifier! If you have a baby with a strong urge to suck or a fussy baby who has been fed, burped, and changed, why not try the pacifier and see if it calms him down?
• Decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Why? We don’t know for sure, but some experts believe that the sucking stimulates the breathing center in the brain, while others think that the paci itself helps keep the airway open. In either case, the evidence is strong enough that the American Academy of Pediatrics now suggests that it is protective for a pacifier to be used when placing an infant to sleep during the first year of life, but should not be reinserted once the infant is asleep. If nursing, you can wait until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier.
• Babies soothe themselves by sucking
Your breast is not meant to be a pacifier! If you have a baby with a strong urge to suck or a fussy baby who has been fed, burped, and changed, why not try the pacifier and see if it calms him down?
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.