Babies are born with a sucking reflex. This need to suck is most important for eating but it can very much be the best way to comfort your baby.
You can introduce a pacifier at any time. If you are breastfeeding, some experts recommend waiting three to four weeks after your baby is born to offer a pacifier in order not to disrupt your nursing routine. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, a study of pacifier use in healthy, full-term babies found no impact on the continuation of breastfeeding. Mayo Clinic also recommends a one-piece baby or newborn pacifier, saying a two-piece pacifier could break and become a choking hazard. One-piece pacifiers are also easier to clean, and they do not have cracks where bacteria can wedge in and pose a problem. Baby pacifiers should be easy to clean.
Many different attributes can help you decide on the best pacifier. Age of the baby also plays a factor especially when they start teething.
Material also plays a big role; whether it be silicone or latex. Latter ones are eco friendly but not as durable and long lasting. Natural rubber is probably the best choice for a safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly pacifier. This rubber comes from the Hevea Brasiliensi tree and is a sustainable material. Rubberwood trees can be tapped for up to 25 years, during which they also help sequester carbon dioxide.
And lastly, the recommended age to start weaning your child is between age 2 and 4. Extended use of a pacifier on a regular basis can affect the shape of your child’s mouth and teeth alignment.
