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Is it good for children to sleep with a pacifier?

The natural sucking action of a pacifier can calm a fussy baby and help them fall asleep. Is it as bad for a baby to sleep with a pacifier in its mouth as so many say?

By Ja'Keya AllenPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
Is it good for children to sleep with a pacifier?
Photo by Taksh on Unsplash

Pacifiers can be very helpful at bedtime for those babies who find great comfort in sucking beyond the need for nutrition . Although many parents wonder if it is good for children to sleep with a pacifier, the answer is yes. Sleeping with a pacifier does not bring any risk to the little one!

Babies suck when they are tired, bored, or in need of comfort. Some have a stronger need to use a pacifier than others and, in this sense, sucking can provide the necessary calm to get a good rest.

Of course, in the event that the pacifier falls during sleep , it is not necessary that you reintroduce it into the child's mouth.However, if you are still nursing the baby, we recommend that you wait to give him the pacifier; thus, you will ensure that lactation is well established. This usually takes 3-4 weeks. Pacifiers can be used to soothe once you know the baby is well fed and when he is no longer hungry.

Furthermore, research has shown that sleeping with a pacifier is not a critical factor for sleep, since there are no significant differences in sleep patterns between babies who sleep with a pacifier and those who do not. Therefore, parents should not be overly concerned if their little one cannot do without a pacifier when it is time for bed.

Is it good for children to sleep with a pacifier?

The answer is yes, you can safely give your baby a pacifier at bedtime. However, it is necessary that you take into account some guidelines to do it in the safest way possible.

Take note; Here we tell you everything you need to know about the use of a pacifier:

Do not attach a string to the pacifier as this increases the risk of strangulation.

Do not give your baby a pacifier at night while he is learning to breastfeed.

You must make sure to keep the pacifier clean and disinfect it with hot water .

Use the correct size pacifier, corresponding to the baby's age.

Do not cover the pacifier with anything.

You should only use 1 piece pacifiers.

The pacifier must have breathing holes in the protector.

Benefits for children who sleep with a pacifier

First of all, the obvious benefit of using a pacifier during sleeping hours is the calming it provides for the baby. Those who love pacifiers don't give them up easily, even at nap time or when it's time to go to bed at night. And, as you can imagine, a calm baby is synonymous with calm parents.

If you notice that the baby gets cranky when it's time to rest and you want to withdraw the pacifier, think twice: remember that it makes him feel better and has no negative consequences . Sucking calms him down, which in turn makes it easier for him to fall asleep.

Likewise, another important advantage of the baby using a pacifier while sleeping is the reduction of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. In fact, it decreases by half. In addition, this instrument can help babies learn to control their feelings, relax them and make them feel safe when it is time to sleep.In this sense, multiple studies have shown a correlation between the use of a pacifier and a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The reasons for this positive consequence are still unclear, but the research is pretty strong: Giving your baby a pacifier at night can help reduce the chances of this problem.

In conclusion, remember that it is not bad for children to sleep with a pacifier. Therefore, if you notice that your baby does not want to part with it while sleeping, you should not worry. As you have been able to observe, she even brings with her some very important benefits for her well-being.

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