Should I give my baby a pacifier or not?
Many parents are in doubt as to whether or not they should give their child a pacifier. Here it is important to remember that the pacifier serves an important function - it helps the child to satisfy his natural need for a pacifier.
Babies' innate need to suck
Babies are born with a great need to suck. It is not only a vital instinct, but also a source of security and peace. When the world feels overwhelming, the baby finds comfort and closeness by sucking – typically at the mother's breast.
The need to pacify also has an important function for the child's development. It strengthens the muscles around the jaw and supports breathing, eating and speech development.
Although the need to suckle is natural and important, it can be demanding for the mother to constantly put on the breast. In fact, up to 85% of all children in the Western world use pacifiers (cf. sundhed.dk).
Alternatives to the pacifier
Some parents choose alternatives such as one pacifier cloth or a comforting teddy bear. For some children it may be sufficient, but for many it will not cover the full pacifier need.
If the need to pacify is not met
If the child can't satisfy his need for a pacifier, he often finds a solution himself - typically by sucking on his thumb. However, it can present some challenges that parents should be aware of.
The thumb can damage the position of the teeth
The thumb is not designed for the child's mouth. It is firm and does not yield like a pacifier, which means that the pressure from the pacifier is transferred directly to the palate and gums. This increases the risk of so-called pacifier bite – where the child's mouth takes shape after the thumb.
More difficult to wean the child
Another disadvantage of the thumb is that it is always within reach - even when the time comes to stop sucking. You can remove a pacifier, but you cannot take the thumb away from the child.
