Do you think that pacifiers are bad for infants? Or are they essential for them to get the best possible start in life? The truth is that there are both pros and cons to pacifiers – but ultimately, it depends on the individual infant. In this article, we’ll dispel some of the most common pacifier myths and give you the real story on what they’re actually good for. We’ll also discuss the different types of pacifiers available on the market, and which would be best for your infant. Ready to ditch those pacifiers? Let’s go!
I’m here with the third part of our Pacifier Series. As I already mentioned that my daughter used a pacifier from when she was 2 months old till the age of 15 months. She is of 20 months now and I think this is the right time to burst some myths related to usage of pacifiers-
Pacifier Myths
Myth 1- If your kid uses pacifier, they will definitely have buck teeth.
This is not true. It is the prolonged usage of pacifier that may result in protruding teeth. If your child continues to use pacifiers till they are 2-3 years old then they have the risk of buck teeth otherwise not at all. Nowadays we get orthodontic pacifiers with slanted nipple which I showed you in my first video.
Myth 2- There is a risk of having fat lips if your kid uses pacifier.
Having fat/big lips is genetic and is not caused by pacifiers. And what if it really happens, big pouty lips are so much in demand these days 
Myth 3- Weaning off a pacifier will lead to finger sucking.
It does not happen and a prime example is my own daughter. She has been weaned off around 2.5 months ago and she doesn’t suck her fingers.
Myth 4- Pacifiers Cause infections.
This is true. It depends more upon usage and sterilization. If the pacifier gets dirty somehow and the child puts it back in mouth then there is a risk of infection otherwise no. My daughter never got an infection due to pacifier.
Myth 5- Pacifier usage leads to delayed speech
It is ridiculous. Pacifier has nothing to do with speaking. Pacifiers do not affect how slow or fast your child speaks.
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Myth 6- Pacifiers help cure colic
It doesn’t really happen. It does soothe the child’s agitation that they go through colic but it doesn’t cure colic at all. You will need to give anti-colic medication to the child.
Myth 7- Using a pacifier will lead to bad dental health
Pacifier has nothing to do with rotting of teeth. However, if you use something sweet with pacifier then prolonged usage of that sort of pacifier may rot teeth. A simple pacifier does not cause bad dental health.
Myth 8- Using a pacifier causes nipple confusion.
This is something even I thought. If you give pacifier to your baby before they learn to breastfeed properly then yes it may cause some confusion. Ideal time to introduce your child is when they are around 6 months old.
Myth 9- Using a pacifier leads to ear infections
This myth also does not have any kind of conclusive evidence. I’ve read a lot about it online but couldn’t find any substantial proof for this claim. It can happen only if there is a virus in air or the child is using a dirty pacifier. A clean pacifier does not cause any sort of infection.
It is true that some of the pacifier myths can put your baby in danger. You need to be careful about this and give your child enough time to get used to the pacifier. Some of the common pacifier myths include:
Using a pacifier can cause various health issues such as teeth problems, lactose intolerance, GERD and even allergies. In addition, using it too early may lead to speech problems later on! Instead of taking chances with your child’s health and development, use proper guidelines while introducing a nipple-based or dummy-less formula without interfering with breastfeeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems do pacifiers cause?
A sustained and repetitive sucking behaviour may eventually result in misaligned teeth or bite issues. The likelihood that your child will require orthodontic treatment in the future increases the longer the behaviour persists. As a result, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises against using a pacifier after the age of three.
Do pacifiers affect development?
Pacifiers are unlikely to prevent the development of speech and language when used properly. However, excessive or improper use of pacifiers, such as excessive pacifier sucking or improper cleaning or sizing, can increase your child’s risk of speech and language problems.
Does pacifier affect brain?
The amount of cortisol released in the brain is affected when a pacifier is used to soothe or calm a child. The stress hormone cortisol helps the infant respond to threats by regulating the immune system and metabolism while also slowing down other body processes like digestion.
