6 reasons to buy a baby pacifier

If you’re pregnant or have recently given birth, you’re probably asking yourself, “Should I buy baby pacifiers?” There isn’t one clear answer, but there are several advantages to giving your baby a soother. Here are a few:

Some babies have trouble falling asleep. As a result, a lot of breastfeeding mothers nurse their babies to sleep. This can be frustrating and time-consuming for the mother, and can make babies more likely to wake up with a burp. One thing to try to prevent this is to give your baby a pacifier to help him or her settle down.

During times of distress — such as doctor visits or after vaccinations — a pacifier might be just the thing to help calm your baby. One great thing about a soother is that it’s so small that you can easily keep it handy and give it to your baby whenever you think it might be helpful.

SIDS is one of the leading causes of death in babies under the age of one. Its causes are largely unknown, but some research has shown that giving a baby a pacifier to suck on while he’s sleeping might help reduce the risk of SIDS.

As adults, we can do things to make flying more comfortable, such as swallow or yawn to relieve any pain or discomfort caused by pressure changes in the air. Babies can’t do this, but a pacifier might help ease discomfort while flying.

It’s natural for babies to look for things around them to suck on. That’s why many babies suck their thumbs when they're not breastfeeding or drinking from a bottle. However, prolonged thumb sucking can cause serious problems with teeth and the bony tissue of the thumb. Giving your baby a pacifier can help prevent problems that can arise from thumb sucking.

The sucking motion is comforting for babies, but it’s not realistic for breastfeeding mothers to be feeding their babies all the time. Pacifiers can be an enjoyable experience for babies, and can also be a great way to give moms a break.

A note for breastfeeding moms: It's recommended to wait until nursing is well-established before introducing a soother.

So, next time you’re asking yourself the question, “Should I buy baby pacifiers?”, think of all the sound reasons why you should.