About Soothers
Before you became a parent, you might have thought you would never give your baby a soother. However, many good intentions often fall by the wayside when the reality of parenthood hits home. If a soother, also known as a pacifier, comforts your infant, don't worry about providing it if it is necessary. Know the advantages and disadvantages of soothers and prepare yourself for the time when your child has to say goodbye to it.
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Soother Advantages
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Sucking on a soother is preferable to sucking a thumb or finger. You can take a soother away from a child, but you can't take away her thumb or finger. A soother provides comfort to some infants, helping them to settle and fall asleep -- improving sleep quality for all members of the family. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents use soothers to help lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A soother may have a protective effect by lowering a baby's arousal threshold and maintaining airway potency during sleep, according to an October 2011 article in "Pediatrics."
Soother Disadvantages
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Prolonged use of soother (beyond the first few years) may have an adverse effect on tooth development by restricting the proper growth of the mouth, interfering with tooth alignment and causing changes in the roof of the mouth, warns the American Dental Association. A soother may also increase the risk of middle ear infections, reports the Academy of General Dentistry. Constant soother use can abnormally widen the auditory tubes. This lets throat secretions, which may contain bacteria, seep into the middle ear. If your infant becomes too dependent on the soother to sleep, he may cry when the soother falls out of his mouth, leading to a restless night for you.
Soother Tips
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To get the best out of a soother, don't introduce it until you have established a breastfeeding routine. Don't give your baby a soother if you suspect she may be hungry -- never use it as a replacement for food. Sterilize a soother before first use by placing it in boiling water for several minutes. Leave it to cool down before giving it to your baby. Keep your soother clean by washing it with hot, soapy water after each use. Inspect the soother regularly to identify any cracks or tears. Baby Center recommends replacing a soother every two months, even if it appears to be in good condition. Never tie a soother around your baby's neck, fashion your own soother out of bottle nipples or other materials or let your baby chew on her soother. These could lead to choking and death.
Putting a Stop to the Soother
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By limiting your baby's soother use, you will make it easier to get rid of when you feel the time is right. Try to reserve the soother for sleep time and comfort only. When your baby is approximately 12 months old, start reducing his soother use gradually. Experiment with comforting alternatives to the soother, such as swaddling, rocking, singing softly and baby massage. If your infant doesn't give up the soother willingly, talk to him about it. Ask him if he would like to give his soother to the tooth fairy or Father Christmas because he is a big boy now. Give him lots of praise when he gives up his soother. If he asks for it again, don't give in. Give him a cuddle and tell him the soother has gone because he is a big boy now.
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