Can a baby sleep with a pacifier?

A pacifier and giving it to a child is a topic that is both interesting and controversial for parents. After weighing all the pros and cons of introducing a pacifier to a baby, it's time to ask: can a baby sleep with a pacifier? 

And what about the period immediately after birth - can a newborn sleep with a pacifier, and if so, from when exactly? Can a baby sleep with a dummy when exclusively breastfed? What should you pay special attention to when letting your baby sleep with a pacifier?

Can a newborn sleep with a pacifier, if breastfed?

A newborn baby is a baby in the first month of life, exactly until the baby turns 28 days old. Can a newborn sleep with a pacifier or are there any contraindications?

First of all, it is worth mentioning that according to the guidelines of the WHO and the Polish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Child Nutrition, breastfeeding is the most recommended way of feeding infants.

What do breastfeeding and the question of whether a newborn can sleep with a pacifier have in common? It turns out that a lot. The sucking reflex, basically a newborn baby's need to suck is very high. Nature did not come up with this for a reason, because the great need to suck the breast perfectly stimulates lactation.

Can a newborn sleep with a pacifier?if you want to exclusively breastfeed your baby?

In order not to disturb the baby's natural need to suck the breast, and thus not to negatively affect the woman's milk production, Certified Lactation Consultants (CDL), midwives and paediatricians in general they do not recommend giving a newborn a pacifier, even for sleeping. Can an exclusively breastfed newborn sleep with a pacifier, and if so, from when?

Can a newborn sleep with a pacifier?if he is only bottle-fed?

If for some reason the mother cannot breastfeed the baby or gives the baby her expressed milk from the bottle, the question arises whether the newborn can sleep with a pacifier? In bottle-fed babies, a high need to suck cannot be compensated by long sucking on the mother's breast. So can a bottle-fed newborn sleep with a pacifier?

There are no contraindications to sleeping with a dummy, because in this case there is no risk of disturbing the baby's sucking reflex. Sucking a dummy in such a situation also does not have a negative impact on lactation in a nursing mother.

Can a newborn sleep with a pacifier? from day one?

Can an infant sleep with a pacifier: how to approach the topic wisely?

A baby can sleep with a pacifier, whether bottle-fed or breast-fed. However, it is worth remembering a few basic rules. The first answer to the question of whether an infant can sleep with a pacifier should always be common sense, moderation and parental intuition. 

There are no contraindications for an infant to sleep with a dummy, and the dummy must not be used to drown out crying, and thus the physical and emotional needs of the child.

A pacifier at night should therefore not be a substitute for, for example, feeding or hugging a crying baby by a parent. Can a baby sleep with a pacifier? If no other way to put the baby to sleep works, a dummy can help tired parents and the baby himself. Sucking a pacifier satisfies not only the need for sucking, but also reduces the perceived tension and has a calming effect. 

Can an infant sleep with a pacifier? all night?

Let us remember that too frequent and prolonged sucking of the pacifier contributes to the formation malocclusion, therefore, overnight pacifier sucking in infants and children is not recommended. If your baby spits out the pacifier and is sleeping peacefully, don't put it back in his mouth. Alternatively, when the baby falls asleep, you can try to gently remove the pacifier from the mouth.

To sum up - can a baby sleep with a pacifier? From the very beginning, as far as possible it is worth using the pacifier only for lulling the child to sleep for naps, lulling him to sleep at night.

Orthodontists and dentists recommend giving up the pacifier completely by the age of 12-18 months.

Can a baby sleep with a pacifier: What to pay special attention to?

We choose a pacifier adequately to the age and needs of the child

A teat that is too small poses a swallowing risk. In turn, the lack of proper ventilation of the shield around the pacifier may contribute to the development of skin problems around the mouth of the baby.

Pacifier with a pendant 

Can a baby sleep with a pacifier? attached to the frame of a crib or cloth diaper so that it does not get lost during the night? Specialists warn against attaching pacifiers to anything. While sleeping, a baby can accidentally get tangled in such a string, cloth or pendant, which in the worst case can even result in suffocation.

The pacifier recommended by specialists is this one: one-piece, without a pendant and without any other fastening.

We take care of proper teat hygiene

Daily washing, sterilization and frequent replacement of the pacifier with a new one are essential. When we consider can a baby sleep with a pacifier, that fell on the floor, it is worth remembering that licking the pacifier by a parent is not a way to "disinfect". Doing so may result in your child getting caries or other infection.

Under no circumstances do we soak the pacifier in sugar or honey. This is a simple way to develop caries, and additionally an unnecessary source of sugar in the child's diet.

Can a baby sleep with a pacifier if he sucks his thumb? 

Orthodontists and dentists agree that thumb sucking causes more damage to the bite than pacifier sucking. In addition, a pacifier is relatively easier for a child to wean from, compared to the temptation of sucking the thumb that is still at hand. On the other hand, neither pacifier nor thumb sucking is recommended for children over 2 years of age. If parents are unable to deal with this problem on their own, should consult a dentist or orthodontist.