All about pacifiers. Review and brief description.

Babies have a natural need to suck, because this ability manifests itself already in the womb. During sucking, the entire maxillofacial apparatus is trained, the growth of the lower jaw is stimulated, which is necessary for it to occupy correct position by the time teeth appear.
For many children, natural training during feeding is not enough, and additional training is needed between meals. Sucking is a basic instinct; at this time the baby calms down, feels safe, and therefore falls asleep better. If in infancy this instinct is usually satisfied through almost continuous breast-feeding, then with increasing breaks between feedings and periods of wakefulness, the need for a pacifier arises more and more often. Otherwise, the baby finds a replacement for it - a blanket or his finger. Pacifier - an alternative thumb, sucking on which really has a detrimental effect on the formation of the bite.
All pacifiers must be individually packaged and hygienically protected. It makes sense to buy several pacifiers and let your baby choose the model “to suit his taste.” Let's go through all the selection positions.

Materials. Acceptable and Which pacifier is better: latex or silicone? – Each material has its own advantages. Light yellow, transparent or slightly matte latex is made from natural rubber and is therefore environmentally friendly. Latex is especially suitable for newborns. It is elastic and soft, so it is resistant to tearing and is harmless when destroyed. On the other hand, latex has a characteristic taste and smell that the baby may not like. Completely transparent liquid silicone pacifiers are resistant to temperature changes, so they do not lose their properties when boiled. Silicone has no taste or smell, so it is easier to wean off such pacifiers), but unlike latex it is not natural material. Latex pacifiers are less durable - the rubber will gradually lose its elasticity and begin to stick together, darkening when exposed to light. All this poses the least threat to silicone. But it is not very elastic, so it is prone to tearing; it is recommended for children under 12 months. Silicone must have a low content of toxic substances nitrosamines and low volatility. The pacifier must comply with the safety standard BS 71115. For example, Artsana, which owns the Chicco brand, periodically checks both raw materials and products for compliance with these standards.

3mouthpiece(or mouthpiece, protective ring, disk, base) - this is not only decorative element, so it must be considered with passion. Pacifier mouthpieces come in traditional (one-sided notch) and figure-eight (double-sided notch) shapes. The disk must have ventilation holes (more than 5 mm). Thanks to these holes, saliva does not accumulate and the skin breathes. For the same reason, some manufacturers make the surface of the protective disk embossed.
You need to choose a pacifier of a size that matches the size of the baby's mouth - a base that is too large will make it difficult for the baby to breathe. In particular, this is why pacifiers have an age gradation: Canpol Babies, NUK, Chicco, Tigex, etc., from 0 to 6 months, from 6 to 18 months, over 18 months). The protective ring can be soft, made of latex or silicone (we are talking about models for sleeping), or hard, made of plastic.

Ring. For use at night, pacifiers with luminous rings containing a fluorescent substance are practical - they are easy to find in the dark. You can also buy a pacifier without a ring, which does not prevent your baby from falling asleep. However, when touching the handle to the child's face, the child can get caught in the ring, lose the pacifier and wake up.

Pacifier(rubber part) pacifiers. It should be soft, thin-walled, but at the same time durable. The softness of the pacifier is increased due to the air release valve. The shape of the rubber part is important. All reputable pacifier manufacturers are looking for the optimal nipple shape.
Most often, parents use pacifiers of an orthodontic shape (favorable for the correct position of the jaw and healthy growth of baby teeth) and anatomical (physiological, reminiscent of a female nipple). True, manufacturers see the appearance and location of the female nipple in the child’s mouth differently, and this is understandable: mothers and children are different. The following are considered physiological: a double-sided pacifier (always correctly positioned in the mouth) and a “cherry” pacifier (its other name is a round pacifier). In general, there are a great many types of pacifiers, and each brand makes arguments in favor of its own products, so in order not to give unhelpful universal advice, we decided to familiarize parents with the variety of models.

Soothing pacifiers(NUK) are equipped with a ring that can be easily turned and are designed for use while the baby is awake. Natirlich and Kiefergerecht translated from German is natural and ideal for the oral cavity. This concept of the German brand NUK is based on a patented physiological shape of nipples and pacifiers, developed on the basis of scientific research. They were carried out in the 50s of the twentieth century by orthodontic scientists Dr. Müller and Professor Balters. NUK pacifiers are accredited to ISO 9001. Another patented development of the brand is the NUK Air Sistem air valve system.

Night pacifiers(NUK) thanks to the flat button and the ability to fold the ring (some models do not have a ring), they do not squeeze the baby’s face while sleeping on the stomach. When sucking, pressure is created in the mouth, with the help of which the rubber part takes the correct position. The flat button and foldable ring prevent pressure on the face when sleeping on your stomach. The rubber part remains soft and flexible thanks to the Air System air valve.

Movable pacifiers Natiral Flex(Niby) effectively calm the child, for this they were awarded a silver medal in the “Best Children's Products 2006” competition. The moving nipple imitates the movement of the mother's breast and creates resistance to the baby's sucking movements, so the child is forced to “work.” This gymnastics supports the sucking reflex and develops facial muscles, preparing the child for speech. After such work, the little one gets tired, calms down faster and falls asleep. Ventilation holes and a textured surface on the protective disc prevent skin irritation. Traditional Niby bumps massage the child’s gums. These heart, circle, and butterfly shaped pacifiers (clear, neon and pastel colors) can be used day or night.

Natural orthodontic pacifiers with a “heart” disc contribute to the development of a child’s correct bite. Natural, anatomically shaped pacifiers with a butterfly disc provide maximum comfort, even when the baby is lying on his stomach. Natural and cherry-shaped pacifiers with a round disc are created according to the wishes of mothers whose children have a large palate (a large round nipple suits them). Orthodontists and pediatricians advise consulting a doctor about this nipple shape.

Physiological pacifier “drop”(Chicco) – exclusive modernized pacifier natural shape. It was created as a result of in-depth research into physiology. The drop-shaped pacifier takes up minimal space in the oral cavity. The air release valve forces air out of the nipple, making it softer and reducing pressure on the palate. The anatomical butterfly-shaped disc pad does not interfere with breathing. The holes in the pad allow the skin to breathe and prevent irritation around the mouth. The pacifier is entirely made of safe, high-quality latex and does not injure the baby in any sleeping position. The pacifier is monolithic - this eliminates the risk of any part tearing off. The teardrop pacifier is good for newborns and for use during sleep. Subsequently, the child will easily wean himself off it.

Pacifiers for babies(Baby-Frank) have an age-appropriate pacifier size, but different sized mouthpieces - no matter what cheeks your child has, he will be comfortable sucking on such a pacifier. The manufacturer indicates that pacifiers of this German brand meet European standards quality and safety.

Pacifier with super soft mouth guard(Tigex) is made of non-irritating material - it does not leave marks on the child’s face.

Double-sided pacifier(Tigex) always takes the correct position in the child's mouth. Among its advantages: anatomical mouth protection (the pacifier takes the shape of a child's face), a movable ring, ventilation, soft and non-allergenic material, and a double-sided orthodontic nipple. Sets of pacifiers (2 pieces each) in convenient packaging (“World of Childhood”: classic silicone pacifier “droplet”), (0+, 6+); classic latex pacifier (0+, 6+). Pacifiers "World of Childhood") are designed taking into account the anatomical and age characteristics of the baby. Pacifier nipples are made from highly purified latex and soft silicone. Their design is closest to the anatomical shape of the mother's breast during feeding, therefore the natural mechanics of sucking are imitated. The pacifiers have a soft coating on the edges of the mouthpiece, holes for free air circulation and a movable ring. A completely separate type is medical pacifiers, which help mothers care for a sick or weakened child.

Pacifiers for premature babies(NUK) are clinically tested, designed for nursing premature babies in a clinical setting (supports the maturation of babies weighing up to 1750 g).
Pacifier for premature babies, with a very small cherry nipple and small lungs mouthpiece (BabyFrank) - it is easy for a weak immature baby to suck on it.

Electronic pacifier thermometer, with storage case (Baby-Frank). The measurement should take place no earlier than half an hour after feeding. By pressing the button located above the display window, the child is given a pacifier-thermometer and after 2-3 minutes his body temperature is determined.

Pacifier for administering liquid and dissolved medications(Baby-Frank) ensures gentle administration of drugs and precise dosage, facilitating the treatment process. It is made from clinically proven material, does not break, and is resistant to boiling.

Inhalation pacifier(Baby Frank) is useful for a runny nose. Cotton is placed in the lower half of a special container, the inhalation agent recommended by the doctor is dripped onto it and given to the child: he sucks the pacifier and at the same time inhales medicinal essential oils.

NEW
Scientists and manufacturers already know a lot about what pacifiers should be, but new products appear constantly. NUK offers a translucent icy design in trendy colours; integrated circulation channel; flat design, thanks to which the pacifier fits the baby's face; a ring that fits completely into the mouthpiece (the pacifier does not press).
New for the year from Nuby are “fun” pacifiers with maximum ventilation: they barely come into contact with the skin. On the ledge of the protective disk there are funny images and mini-toys. These pacifiers also massage your gums.

YOU SHOULD NOT BUY A DACTOR IF:
– dark yellow latex rubber;
– inside the rubber there are hard plastic elements, hardening and unevenness;
– the tires are not marked with the manufacturer’s mark;
– there is not a single recess on the mouthpiece for a spout and ventilation holes, its surface is rough, uneven, sharp;
– the ring is loosely attached to the base – the baby can tear it off and put it in his mouth.

You should not give your child a pacifier if its rubber is too soft, has little elasticity, or is inelastic. This can be found out by stretching it strongly - it should not be damaged (NUK, for example, tests each pacifier in production by stretching), and does not recover well (when the pacifier is no longer compressed, the rubber should immediately return to its original form).

Accessories
The cover (sometimes shaped) fits directly over the pacifier and allows you to keep the pacifier clean when not in use. Often, a transparent hygienic cap is sold complete with a pacifier. These accessories are especially convenient for walks, as are clips with chains and ribbons. The clip itself is pinned onto baby clothes, and a ribbon or chain is attached to the pacifier ring. There are also boxes for sale for two pacifiers at once - for twins.

Terms of use
Pacifiers need to be changed every three months, and the new one should be made of the same rubber as the old one.
Read the instructions first.
The pacifier must be doused with boiling water at least once a day and every time it falls on the floor or ground. Always sterilize your pacifier before use.
Never put a pacifier in your mouth.
Do not dip it in sweets and drinks - this provokes oral diseases and is harmful to growing teeth.
Do not leave the pacifier in the sun for a long time.
Do not leave it in the sterilization solution for longer than the recommended time.
Use three identical pacifiers at the same time (for replacement).
Soothers last longer if stored in a clean, dry, closed container.
Psychologists believe that frequent and prolonged (during the day) use of a pacifier leads to the fact that the child speaks less willingly and his desire to understand the world around him is not so strong.
Orthodontists are against frequent and prolonged pacifier sucking, because this is a factor in the appearance of malocclusion.

When to wean your baby off the pacifier?
The results of observations and studies say that the optimal time for this is the age of 5-6 months (when the baby is developing dynamically and achieving new results) and 1.5-2 years (when the child has better control over his emotions, sometimes spits out the pacifier on his own, showing his " adulthood").
To wean a child off a pacifier, you need to distract the child's attention from it without showing it during the day; keep your little fingers busy with something.
Do not take the baby's pacifier away in a stressful situation (in a nursery, in a hospital, in a strange place).
Do not wean your child off a bottle with a nipple and a pacifier at the same time (from the bottle first).
Do not give a pacifier to an older child just to calm him down - communication with his mother will calm him down best.

Each age of a child has its own problems and questions, but only some cause such contradictory relationships as this one.

In general, the very fact that a discussion of this topic took place seems to me to be a positive signal that mothers are looking for new information, trying to find out all the pros and cons, fortunately there is a choice, and information too, just extend your hand. Most nursing mothers in discussing the topic agreed that a child needs a pacifier if “the child wants it and asks for it.”

But everything remained within the framework of discussions of their own examples and their children, in the “IMHO” style that is fashionable today, and almost without turning (with the exception of two or three mothers) to modern research and expert advice. And the final and summing up phrase, I quote: “If it doesn’t work out this way, change it like that,” reflects the views of society on the issues of feeding and caring for a child...

Preparing for the birth of a child, future mom rarely asks this question: “Does a baby need a pacifier?” I was the same, I must admit, although the option of feeding my child with a bottle and formula was not even considered. I dutifully bought a couple of wonderful pacifiers at the pharmacy, and lovingly equipped the children's changing table with them... But, fortunately, they were not needed.

Only much later, often wondering why all mothers have pacifiers and bottles at home, I began to realize that this sits deep in our consciousness. Small child and a dummy is a common and familiar situation for us, a certain integral part of existence. There is such a word... Gadget. Exactly! Gadget! I don't know exactly what it means.

One dad told me this in response to my question: “Why does your child need a pacifier if he is a breastfeeding child?” The question was simple, but it took my dad by surprise, and after thinking a little, he answered: “A gadget…”

Look into any newborn ward and you will see babies lying quietly in plastic boxes with nipple plugs. This is where the pacifier comes into play. It would be better if these babies were taken to their mothers.

Open any children's book. The vast majority of happy and rosy-cheeked babies with pacifiers. Illustrations of children suckling their mother's breasts are much less common.

The same thing on many parenting sites - babies with pacifiers in their mouths...

Go to any children's store. Baby dolls with pacifiers are so common that it seems that Mother Nature has “lost her ground” and babies are born with pacifiers in their mouths!

My friend has a doll, if you take the pacifier out of her mouth, the doll starts making the sounds of a baby crying, and goes silent when the pacifier is put back in...

Who knows, maybe the toy manufacturers had no idea that a little girl, playing with this doll and replaying the experience of motherhood in childhood, remembers that in order to calm the child from crying, you need... to give him a pacifier!

Then this girl grows up and sees children on the street with pacifiers in their mouths. And her little brother also sucks a pacifier. Of course, as she grows up and prepares for the arrival of her first child, she will choose the best pacifier for her long-awaited child... So, slowly and imperceptibly, we have come to the conclusion that most children grow up with rubber pacifiers.

We will not now consider cases when the use of a pacifier during breastfeeding is justified. This happens very rarely and requires individual approach. We are talking about the human baby as a mammalian creature designed to suckle at its mother's breast and rest with it.

How “harmless” is sucking a pacifier?

In order not to be unfounded, let's turn to the research of specialists. Recently, Brazilian researchers surveyed more than 600 new mothers who gave their newborns pacifiers. It was found that babies who sucked a pacifier, by 3-4 months, refused to breastfeed 3 times more often than children whose mothers did not give a pacifier.

M.V. Trunov and L.M. Kitaev write in the book “Ecology of Infancy. First year":

“Look at the baby sucking on a pacifier. His eyes, as a rule, are half-closed and turned to nowhere. A kind of self-immersion. At first glance, this all looks a little like breastfeeding. However, only human reason, capable of reducing the sucking of a mother's breast to a mechanical act, can draw an identity between maternal sucking and a pacifier.

For a child, such “self-absorption” results, first of all, in a decrease in activity in relation to the outside world. To the world that he must learn and capture during this period. Search activity and the tendency to explore are decreasing. And most importantly, doesn’t this lead to the habit of satisfying one’s needs in a surrogate way?

Practice shows that in the first months of life such surrogate satisfaction of natural needs is taken for granted by the baby. Maybe for life? If we finally understand that breastfeeding is not just pumping milk, then we must understand that the difference between sucking a breast and sucking a pacifier is the same as between full sexual intercourse and masturbation.” ...

This is where I would like to end the article.

But, there are still important points that mothers need to know to answer the question: “Does a baby need a pacifier?” Does sucking a pacifier adequately replace the mother's breast?

Using previous quotes: exactly to the extent that masturbation replaces full-fledged sexual intercourse.

Using my observations: exactly as much as self-soothing alone (with a cigarette, TV, computer... there are many options) is replaced by calmness with a loved one.

Let's take a closer look at this issue.

Sucking a pacifier is not the same as sucking a breast, based on different forms and methods of sucking. Take and compare the shape of a woman's nipple and a pacifier, even if it is most similar to a breast. To date, a nipple has not yet been created that completely replaces and imitates breast sucking, no matter how hard the manufacturing companies try to convince us of this.

When sucking a breast, certain facial muscles work and the sucking technique is fundamentally different from the technique of sucking a pacifier. When suckling at the breast, the baby produces pleasure hormones - endorphins. When sucking a pacifier - no. Therefore, children suck on a pacifier, trying to suck out at least some real pleasure from it, but they receive only a pitiful semblance of it, which does not bring full peace and pleasure from life.

A very indicative case occurred in the summer outside the city, when two babies (one and a half years old), who climbed into a wasp’s nest and were bitten by wasps, ran up to their mothers in tears and were given, for comfort, one a breast, the other a pacifier. The baby, who received the breast, calmed down within a minute, and after five he ran off to play. The other one, with a pacifier and in his mother’s arms, sobbed and could not calm down for 1.5 hours! All this time he was frantically sucking on a pacifier. The pacifier does not give endorphins...

The effect of the endorphin hormone is that it targets stress hormones - cortisol and cortisone, reducing their levels. This hormonal background is formed in a child from the moment of conception until the age of 3, and then is decisive for the rest of his life - his attitude to the world, depression, the experience of illness and stress, and much, much more. But this is already a very large topic, which is now being described by many psychoanalysts. We won't go into it deeply.

It is important for us to understand that it is natural for a child to calm down and fall asleep with the breast in his mouth, and not with a pacifier. Why do many children combine breastfeeding and pacifiers, and continue to suckle for up to a year, while other children “really love” the pacifier and refuse the breast when they are just babies?

It all depends on the child’s desire to live and survive, on his life attitude. It is different for all children. Some babies, in spite of everything, bypassing the unnatural behavior of their mother, continue to suckle, receiving the minimum that they give. Without demanding protection, reassurance and consolation from the mother in the form of more frequent sucking, the baby evaluates the mother from the point of view of potential danger. It is safer for him to calm down and fall asleep with a “rubber sedative”, and ask for the breast only for food and saturation. Of course, the best option than giving up the breast in favor of a pacifier, which, unfortunately, is much more common.

In any case, the baby regards the mother as unable to protect him and create complete comfort. Will a person's psyche be healthy? early childhood accustomed to living in a situation of increased danger?..

If the baby demands (and receives) the breast “often” - more than once every 2-3 hours, falls asleep and sleeps with the breast, calms down with the breast, then the child trusts this mother completely, he is under her protection. Under the protection of a loved one, loved one, giving food, drink, warmth, love and safety, so necessary for a small, growing man!!!

For complications with breastfeeding that nursing mothers face, one of the reasons may be sucking a pacifier:

Cracks, abrasions, nipple injuries;

lactostasis, mastitis, engorgement, etc.;

lack or excess of milk;

small weight gain;

lactase deficiency, foamy stools;

baby biting the breast, arching under the breast and crying;

breast refusal

I would like to end the article with a wonderful quote from the book “Your Child from Birth to Two Years” by William and Martha Sears: “If the child starts crying, and you instinctively reach not for the child, but for the pacifier, throw it away!”

On the question of whether to give a child a pacifier or not, parents and experts have long been divided into two camps. Some people think that a dummy is best helper mothers, others attribute harmful properties to it, from the formation of malocclusion to the influence on the child’s character. We decided to collect the most common myths about the pacifier and ask the pediatrician in detail Yaroslav Matveev, pediatric dentist Yulia Selutina and child psychologist Natalia Gorodulina to understand once and for all where the truth is and where the fiction is.

Yaroslava Matveeva (@doctor_yaroslava) Pediatrician

The sucking reflex is perhaps the most important reflex of a newborn baby. It is formed in the very first seconds of life and helps the baby eat. Of course, there are situations when the sucking reflex is absent - most often, this occurs in children with severe damage to the central nervous system, in premature or weakened babies. Therefore, whether to give a pacifier or not is a controversial issue, and in each family it is decided individually.

There are children with a pronounced sucking reflex - if they suck on their mother’s breast every time to satisfy it, they will simply overeat. And due to the immaturity of the stomach, such children begin to regurgitate profusely - then, of course, a pacifier will only be for the good. If a child is eating well and gaining weight, but often cries and is worried for some reason, a pacifier can also help. This also includes cases when the mother releases milk very easily - the baby manages to eat, but does not have time to satisfy the need for sucking.

But if we are talking about children who are not gaining weight well, spit up profusely, and the mother’s lactation is poorly established, then it is impossible to replace the breast with a pacifier, otherwise we will simply provoke artificial feeding.

Is a pacifier a source of infection?

It’s not very often that a pacifier can cause an infection, but such cases do happen. For example, if a child has damage to the oral mucosa, then the opportunistic microflora that is in the air and on objects can cause stomatitis. There are also situations when a mother - a carrier of some virus or bacteria - licks a pacifier and then gives it to the child. And when he grows up, this happens with the spoon. This is also a predisposing factor for the occurrence of diseases.

If one of your relatives has intestinal diseases, then you need to be very strict about hygiene - wash your hands often and do not touch objects that the child can use, in particular the pacifier. Only a healthy person should care for the child.

Does a pacifier dull pain?

Yes, it's true - sucking a pacifier or pacifier can dull pain in children from the first months of life. Children from three weeks to three months suffer from colic, and peristalsis occurs precisely during sucking - due to this, milk moves through the esophagus into the stomach, and then through the lower parts of the digestive tract. In this case, the pacifier will help the baby get rid of gas and prevent colic. But besides this, you need to use other methods - place the baby on his stomach 10 minutes before feeding and massage with pressure movements.

In all other cases, we cannot use the pacifier as a pain reliever - the sucking reflex will not help dull the acute pain. This is rather a distraction, but you need to understand that if something is seriously bothering the child, covering his mouth with a pacifier is wrong.

Does a pacifier prevent your tongue from sticking in your sleep?

Adults have a disease - rhonopathy or snoring. It also happens in children with lesions of the central nervous system - while falling asleep, the muscles of the soft palate relax, it begins to hang over and block the upper respiratory tract. In this case, the tongue may retract and breathing may stop during sleep. Can a person suffocate this way? It’s unlikely, because during breathing disorders, nerves are activated and the brain centers are irritated by carbon dioxide, and the person either goes into a state of superficial sleep or wakes up.

In children, this condition occurs only in cases where the nervous system has not formed. Then, of course, the pacifier will be the restraining factor that will prevent the tongue from sinking. But this will in no way save the baby from drooping and overhanging of the soft palate, so such children should be observed by neurologists. We cannot say that a pacifier is their only salvation from sleep apnea.

This condition can also occur in children who have an overly large tongue - for example, when there is a pathology of the thyroid gland. In this case, the pacifier will also help prevent tongue retraction.

Shouldn't a pacifier be given while breastfeeding?

It's possible, but not necessary. If breastfeeding has become established (and this happens in the first month of a child’s life), and the mother has enough milk, the child latch onto the breast well and is gaining weight (the gain in the first month of life is at least 800 g), then the pacifier can only be used as a calming factor . But we must understand that a child over two weeks of age sometimes cries and, as it seems to us, asks for the breast, not because he is hungry, but because he just wants to see his mother. It is important for him to be in her arms at this moment, but at the same time he smells the milk, and a natural reflex is triggered. If we understand that the child is full at this moment, we can offer him a pacifier. This way he will satisfy the sucking reflex and at the same time be close to his mother.

Eat interesting fact- those who have ever breastfed and who were helped by relatives or friends in caring for the child have noticed that when the mother takes the child in her arms, but does not give either the breast or the pacifier, the child cries and worries. And if at the same moment another person takes the child in his arms, he calms down. The thing is that the baby simply stops smelling his mother’s milk. This is a very common mistake of all mothers - switching to artificial feeding due to the fact that during infant cries often. Mom thinks: “Now the child is eating enough.” But that’s not why he cried, but because he smelled milk (we wrote about myths about breastfeeding).

Does a pacifier cause problems with breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding mothers may have problems - but they have nothing to do with the pacifier. The first problem is stagnation, which occurs due to the fact that more milk is produced than the baby consumes. The mechanism of milk flow is fully formed only by the age of three months of a child’s life.

Milk stagnation can occur when the baby does not latch onto the breast correctly - in this case, the baby will not gain weight. There is another problem that occurs more often in the first weeks of a child’s life - the formation of cracks in the nipples due to improper latching of the breast. This happens both in first-time mothers and in those who give birth at long intervals. When the nipple is not ready for feeding, it loses its elasticity and the baby's strong sucking movement leads to cracks.

In some cases, a pacifier is necessary. However, it is important for parents to know and remember that from a certain age, sucking a pacifier is equated to bad habits, so it is better to make an effort and wean the child in a timely manner. Otherwise, this habit can cause the formation of a malocclusion, and correcting it is a rather lengthy, labor-intensive and expensive pleasure.

Does prolonged pacifier sucking cause malocclusion?

If a child under two years of age has not gotten rid of the habit of sucking a pacifier, this can actually cause the formation of a malocclusion. Moreover, this applies not only to pacifiers, but also to the nipple on a baby bottle.

With prolonged sucking of the pacifier (longer than two years) there is high risk formation of an open or distal bite. In the first case, only the chewing teeth close together, and there is no contact between the central ones. It seems that the mouth does not close completely. And with a distal bite, the lower jaw at rest seems to be pushed back, and the central teeth of the upper jaw visually “stick out” forward. A gap is formed between the upper and lower incisors - often it is so large that a finger can fit in it.

Is malocclusion caused by poor-quality pacifiers?

It is important to understand that malocclusion is formed not because of the shape of the pacifier or the material from which it is made, but because of the duration of its use. No matter how modern and anatomical a pacifier is, using it for more than two years can lead to dental and maxillary deformities.

Do special orthodontic devices help wean a child off a pacifier?

If you have difficulty weaning off the pacifier, you should consult an orthodontist who will help you find correct solution. Most often, in such cases, regular wearing of a special Stoppi vestibular plate from the Muppi brand is prescribed, which helps replace a pacifier if you have such a habit.

The plate is made from soft hypoallergenic silicone and has special side biting areas in the form of durable silicone bridges, thanks to which the plate fits comfortably in the mouth and effectively prevents compression of the upper row of teeth when sucked. If a child already has an open bite, with regular use of a preventive plate there is every chance that it will close naturally, since nothing prevents the child’s incisors from closing. But we must take into account that the Stoppi plate is recommended for children from two years of age - usually a few weeks are enough for the baby to forget about the pacifier. And to care for the record, just rinse it with warm water. boiled water after each use and under no circumstances boil.

Can speech therapy problems arise due to the habit of sucking a pacifier?

It's true - deformation of the position of the teeth can cause speech therapy problems. Most often, difficulties arise with the production of already difficult for many hissing and whistling sounds - for example, “s” or “sh”.

Is a pacifier a substitute for breastfeeding?

When sucking on mother's breast, the baby makes much more effort to eat than when sucking formula from a bottle with a nipple. This is good for training the chewing muscles, which is important for the prevention of certain dentofacial anomalies. However, even prolonged breastfeeding (over two years) can become an aggravating factor and affect the formation of malocclusion.

When it comes to the question of whether to give a child a pacifier or not, I always advocate comfort for mother and child. You need to be guided by the situation and needs - there are children who categorically do not take a pacifier, and this is normal. And there are those who really need a pacifier - and this is also considered the norm. A tired, anxious mother who does not have the strength to smile at her baby is what is really harmful for the child. That's why main advice mothers of babies - less anxiety. Trust yourself and your intuition more and, if possible, avoid sleep deprivation.

Is a pacifier addictive to a child?

The sucking reflex is a mechanism with which a child is born and which is necessary for survival, because it is thanks to it that the baby eats from the first days. If we are talking about babies under two years old, then it’s not a matter of addiction - it’s just a way to satisfy the sucking reflex.

Does a pacifier reduce your baby's activity?

It is a myth. A child, captivated by a pacifier, is busy with something important to him - satisfying the sucking reflex. This is an important stage in development, and problems can arise precisely if this reflex is not properly satisfied.

Of course, the ideal option for a baby is the mother's breast, but breastfeeding is not always possible, so a pacifier is a normal alternative option. The sucking reflex subsides around 12 months, and some children themselves refuse the pacifier by this time. If not, then the appropriate age for weaning a baby off a pacifier is one and a half or two years (we wrote more about how to wean a child off a pacifier).

Do children accustomed to a pacifier or pacifier grow up less sociable?

Quite the contrary - children with a certain type of nervous system (impressive, sensitive, excitable or introverted) most often need a pacifier to calm them down. They grow up quiet and introverted, not because of the habit of sucking a pacifier, but because that is their temperament.

This also includes the myth that children who are accustomed to a pacifier move away from their mother with age. The emotional connection between a child and his mother is formed from birth and does not depend on the presence or absence of a pacifier.

Can an addiction to pacifiers develop into bad habits?

There are psychological researchers who claim that smoking is a consequence of an unsatisfied sucking reflex. So the connection with the dummy here is rather the opposite. As for the habit of biting nails, it, again, occurs in people with a weak type of nervous system who do not tolerate any stress and tension well. This is just their way of calming down and has nothing to do with the pacifier.

Does a pacifier calm your baby?

But this is true. As I said earlier, a pacifier helps satisfy the sucking reflex. Just as we feel good when we satisfy our hunger, our baby feels calm when he sucks on a pacifier. If with the help of a pacifier a child falls asleep faster and sleeps more soundly at night, the mother should definitely use it. Sound sleep is the most important condition for health for both mother and baby.

Text: Anastasia Speranskaya