Sleepless nights plague countless families with new infants. Figuring out what works to soothe your baby can be daunting, with countless different products and varying kinds of advice. It’s easy for new parents to feel overwhelmed by the choices and exhausted by lack of sleep.
For many parents, pacifiers are magic tools that instantly calm their fussy babies. You might not even think twice about how it works. As long as you and your baby get some much-needed zzz’s, you’ll be happy with your choice to introduce the binkie. But it’s important to understand that, like all things newborn, pacifiers are more complicated than you’d think. Don’t worry, here’s a handy breakdown of everything binkie, including whether binkies are okay for newborns and what age you should take away a pacifier.
Pacifiers 101: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby's Binkie Obsession
Even if a binkie seems magical, though, there’s science behind how it works. And, understanding why we do what we do as parents is important for making informed parental decisions. Let’s break down why pacifiers work! Then, we’ll answer some commonly asked questions.
How Do Pacifiers Work?
Though the pacifier was invented in 1901, archeological evidence shows that sucking tools for babies have been around basically since forever. And for good reason! Infants love these tiny silicone saviors. Our little ones are always seeking to suck, and sucking is known to soothe infants.
Sucking is essential for an infant’s survival–it’s how they get their nutrients! So, it’s understandable that they’re always looking for something to satisfy that urge.
The Science Behind the Binky
Babies even suck on their fingers in utero! The womb walls help limit their movement and bounce their hands back to their faces. Out in the real world, with limited muscle coordination, it’s difficult for infants to satisfy their sucking needs on their own. And, we don’t want them to develop a thumb-sucking habit.
So, it’s no surprise that infants feel instantly happier when we pop a bottle, pacifier, or breast right in place. Breasts or bottles feed the baby while they suck (called “nutritive sucking”).
A pacifier doesn’t provide food (called “non-nutritive sucking”) but still has the same calming effect. That is if your baby isn’t already hungry and frustrated when sucking doesn’t produce any milk!
The Calming Effects of Sucking
Babies build a positive association with the sucking reflex, which pacifiers satisfy. Sucking lowers their heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. A binky can even distract a baby from pain, like from a shot, or overstimulation in social settings.
The repetitive action of sucking also releases endorphins, a hormone that makes us feel happy. This is probably because, when breastfeeding, the mother produces pheromones that trigger the release of these hormones in their infant. Babies then associate sucking with calmness and happiness.
Binkies as a Sleep Aid
Happy and calm babies sleep well! Many parents use a pacifier as a tool to soothe their little ones to sleep during either naptime or bedtime. Falling asleep with a binky is 100% safe for your little one.
Sleeping well and on a schedule is essential for your little one’s development. Pacifiers also potentially help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Want to know more about binkies and sleep? Check out our breakdown of why pacifiers are a great sleep aid!
When Should You Use a Pacifier
For daily use, limit binkies to naps and bedtime. This has the added benefit of encouraging your little one to associate them with getting their zzz's. Pacifiers can also comfort for your little one when they need it. During stressful situations, such as long car trips or the grocery store, they can help your little one relax, especially if they're overstimulated. But remember, they’re only one tool, and their use should be limited.
Recommendations from Pediatricians
Can you give a pacifier to a newborn? Though it may be tempting to try giving your child one immediately, most pediatricians recommend that you wait until a baby is four to six weeks old before introducing pacifiers. This time gap allows your baby and you to establish a good feeding routine, strengthens suckling (if breastfeeding), and encourages oral motor development, which is vital to your child’s language growth.
Pacifier use may also disrupt breastfeeding, as sucking on a binky is easier, so make sure you and your baby have no issues breastfeeding before giving them a paci. Ultimately, it’s important that you’re used to your baby’s sucking behavior before you add something new to the mix.
Tips for Introducing a Pacifier
- Make sure your baby is calm and awake. Don’t give a pacifier to your newborn if they are cranky or tired.
- Make sure your little one is in between feedings and not too hungry or tired.
- Move the pacifier in circles around the mouth, applying a slight pressure to the lips.
- Apply pressure to your baby's tongue with the pacifier nipple. Not too hard, just enough to let them know it’s there.
- Your baby should make little sucking motions around the pacifier. If they don’t, move it again around the mouth.
- Try different nipple shapes. Some babies take weeks to get used to a pacifier. If you want, you can add a little formula or breast milk to the tip to encourage them.
- If your baby never takes one – That’s alright! Not every baby uses a pacifier.
For a more in depth look, check out our tips and hacks for pacifiers!
Pacifier Safety: What Parents Should Know
Pacifier use is safe as long as you choose a safe model. Always choose a single-piece pacifier to eliminate the risk of choking on multiple pieces. Avoid attaching strings or cords to pacifiers.
Also, always follow manufacturer guidelines on the lifespan of your pacifier and frequently check for wear and tear. Make sure you follow guidelines for proper cleaning, and sterilize frequently when using during early infancy.
Other safety concerns that affect development, like possible dental issues, can be avoided by following pediatric guidelines on when to start weaning.
Choosing a Safe Pacifier
When it comes to safety with pacifiers, the simpler the better. A good, safe pacifier will be one piece with no moving parts, liquid interior, or built in gadgets. Leave all the bells and whistles (and flashing lights) to your baby’s tummy-time toy. The shield, or base, of the paci should be at least 1.5 inches in diameter. As your child grows, make sure that the shield can't fit into their mouth.
There are two common nipple shapes for pacifiers: orthodontic and conventional. Though it sounds fancy, orthodontic just means that the binkie nipple has a flat bottom and square shape. They're designed to resemble their real-life counterparts more closely. Conventional pacifiers have the typical rounded nipple shaped like a small ball.
Because of its more natural shape, orthodontic pacifiers let your baby do the tongue-thrust motion also done during feeding. This can limit the negative effects pacifiers can have on the development of your little one's mouth. But if your child just prefers the conventional shape, don’t worry! The benefits of orthodontic nipples are minimal, and not worth fighting a fussy baby over.
Care and Cleaning
Always follow manufacturer care instructions. During infancy, you should sterilize pacifiers frequently. Typically, you do this by boiling the binky or running it through the dishwasher. When your little one is older, about six months and up, cleaning with soap and water or a pacifier wipe is recommended. Never stick a pacifier in your mouth to clean it, even if it drops on the ground. As much as we share with our children, spit is pretty yucky, and can spread diseases between you and your little one.
Monitoring Wear and Tear
Try and check your baby’s binkies weekly for wear and tear. If it's discolored, cracked, or torn, it's time to toss it! Keeping replacements around can encourage you to throw away as needed, instead of holding out and waiting until you purchase more.
What Age Should You Take Away a Pacifier?
The ideal time to wean your baby off the pacifier varies from child to child. Many parents start weaning early, around six months old, to avoid their little one developing a dependency on the pacifier. Some parents wait until about a year old, before an emotional attachment forms. Pediatricians recommend weaning at twelve months, to mitigate the negative effects pacifiers can have on speech and language development.
That being said, if your child needs their pacifier a bit longer for emotional comfort, don’t worry! Sometimes letting them use the pacifier longer is a better option. But always start weaning by age two, aiming to stop use completely by three, to avoid dental issues.
How to Stop Pacifier Use
Once you’re ready to wean your little one off a pacifier, it’s good to try multiple methods to break the habit. Making your child go cold turkey isn’t suggested. Instead, we recommend you try a gradual approach, limiting binky use over time. Instead of a paci, offer your little one a cuddle or song. You want to replace the comfort the pacifier gave them.
Encourage your child's imagination in the letting-go process. Tell them a story about their pacifiers needing to go back home to visit their family, or a magical fairy that replaces pacifiers with toys. Celebrate and emphasise their growing-up process. For older toddlers who have an especially difficult time stopping, try throwing them a party to encourage them.
Though it might feel goofy, taking away a binkie is a lot like taking away an adult’s caffeine. Learning to go through the day without it can feel enormous, and your little one will need a lot of positive reinforcement to quit their habit.
Here’s a more in-depth look at when you should consider weaning and how to do it.
Common Questions About Binkies
Now, let's tackle some of the big questions new parents often have about pacifiers!
Can a Pacifier Cause Speech Delays?
Pacifiers can cause speech delays but only if used for too long or too often.
Though we don’t think about it, an extensive vocabulary requires a lot of pretty complicated mouth movements. In order to practice making these motions and develop their mouths properly, your baby needs to have their mouth free. Babies learn by copying the sounds you make. Moving their lips and tongue throughout the day helps them establish confidence which encourages them to keep making noises. If your little one is sucking on their pacifier for hours a day, this can prevent them from building that confidence.
Pacifiers can also cause ear infections, which can affect your little one’s ability to listen to the nuances of sound. Chronic ear infections can prevent auditory development.
Keep in mind, this is only if your little one is using a pacifier for hours a day! Or if a child continues to use a pacifier past the age of three. As long as you work on other methods of soothing your kiddo, and make sure to limit their use of binkies, your little one will be just fine! Plus, binkies reduce the risk of SIDS and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends their use at bedtime.
How Many Pacifiers Should I Have?
Babies have a knack for misplacing pacifiers, so having a few spares on hand can be a lifesaver. You might want to have a pacifier in the diaper bag, one in the crib, and another in the living room.
Having extras in case you notice wear and tear or forget to pick up a new pacifier can also help avoid last-minute store runs and late-night meltdowns!
Are There Any Alternatives to Pacifiers?
The number one alternative to pacifiers are teethers. These are basically chew toys that provide oral stimulation without your baby sucking. Stuffed animals, blankets, and finger foods can also be great for your baby to chew and suck as long as you’re watching them to mitigate the risk of choking.
Providing sensory toys and reading books can help stimulate distract your little one from their paci and stimulate their brain. Feeding them a little bit, too, can help satisfy their need to suckle, even if they aren’t very hungry.
And sometimes, you’re the best alternative! Sing them a lullaby, rock them, or give them a cuddle.
Conclusion
When used properly, pacifiers are great soothing tools — for both your little one and you! They are a great part of a bedtime routine, helping your baby sleep safely and comfortably. They can calm your little one down in stressful situations and give you a needed break from fussing. So, embrace the pacifier, ask for advice from fellow parents, and remember that parenting is all about finding what works for you and your baby. The binky is just one chapter in the incredible story of your parenting journey. Enjoy every moment of it, pacifiers and all!
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