Pacifier Use In Newborns
Pacifiers appear to be a staple part of newborn care in many cultures and countries and are often thought to be harmless or even necessary to keep the baby at ease and reduce the risk of SIDS(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.) “The pacifier, a non-nutritive sucking device, which is given…in an attempt to provide comfort and to stop crying. Its use has been documented since 1000 B.C. Infants have a biological need to suck, which includes non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on fingers, thumbs, and pacifiers. NNS is considered normal for infants and it often starts in the womb. The prevalence of NNS in a society depends on ethnic and social-economic factors and childcare practices…” (1). Here are 3 things to know about pacifier use in newborns by breastfeeding parents and facilities.
1.) Early pacifier use is linked to breastfeeding difficulty and may lead to less motivation to breastfeed.
“…observational studies suggest that early infant exposure to a pacifier may interfere with breast milk production and lead to early discontinuation of breastfeeding by three to six months…perhaps due to less frequent episodes of breastfeeding, ineffective sucking on the breasts which may lead to increased breastfeeding difficulty and thus, decreased maternal motivation to breastfeed,” (1).
This study reveals the link between pacifier use and breastfeeding difficulties. It reveals that if the newborn infant is exposed to a pacifier too early then this may hinder breast milk production and cause the baby to breastfeed less frequently. This leads to further issues with breastfeeding and decreased motivation.
2.) Restricting pacifier distribution without restricting formula feeding has certain effects.
“Restricting pacifier distribution during the newborn hospitalization without also restricting access to formula was associated with decreased exclusive breastfeeding, increased supplemental formula feeding, and increased exclusive formula feeding…this observation occurred in the absence of accompanying restriction of formula to medical necessity (only) and without provision of scripted information on infant soothing,” (2).
This large study (2249 infants) in Oregon, USA, reveals an interesting finding on the effects of restricting pacifier distribution without restricting access to feeding formulas when the newborn is hospitalized. It was linked to less exclusive breastfeeding, and more supplemental formula feeding and excessive formula feeding.
3.) Both WHO and UNICEF recommend breastfeeding, instead of the use of pacifiers, for the first 6 months of a baby's life.
This confirms that during the first 6 months of a child’s life, it is highly recommended, for the child to be exclusively breastfed, as often as needed. So pacifier use in newborns should not be recommended during the first 6 months. After this period, the child can be introduced to other safe foods and drinks.
Do your local birthing facilities pass out pacifiers freely to the birthing families? Is evidence-based teaching also provided? What can you do to make positive changes in those facilities? Thanks for promoting and supporting breastfeeding!
Kathy
Referrences
- Jaafar, S.H., Ho, J.J., Jahanfar, S., and Angolkar, M. (2016). Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding (Review). Cochrand Database of Systematic Reviews;Issue 8, Art. No. CD007202. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007202.pub4.
- Kair, L.R., Kenron, D., Etheredge, K., Jaffe, A.C., and Phillipi, C.A.(2016). Pacifier restriction and exclusive breastfeeding. Pediatrics; 131(4): e1101-e1107.
- WHO UNICEF. Retrieved 8/1/20 from https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_2
