Many babies enjoy sucking. If the baby wants to suck outside of breast or bottle feeding time, a pacifier can meet his needs (breastfed babies need to wait until the feeding pattern is established before using a pacifier, around the time he is 1 month old)
The function of a pacifier is to meet the baby's sucking needs when not breastfeeding, and cannot replace or delay breastfeeding. Only give the pacifier to your child after a feeding or between feedings, and if you are sure your child is not hungry. If he is hungry, giving him a pacifier may make him angry and prevent him from eating enough.
You must remember that using a pacifier is to help your child, not to save yourself, so be sure to let your child decide whether and when to use it. Giving your baby a pacifier before bed can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. If the baby is breastfed, wait until he is able to feed well before letting him use a pacifier. If your baby doesn't want to use a pacifier or the pacifier keeps falling out of his mouth, don't force him to use it. If a baby falls asleep with a pacifier in his mouth, he may wake up and cry for the pacifier to be put back in his mouth when it falls out. Babies who suck their own fingers or hands don't have this problem because they can always reach their hands. As a baby gets older and his hand coordination improves, he can find the pacifier on his own and put it back in his mouth.
When choosing a pacifier, look for a pacifier that is appropriate for the child's age, has a soft nipple, and does not have any removable parts, as broken parts are very dangerous for the baby and may block his airway. Buy a dishwasher-safe pacifier and sterilize it frequently in boiling water or in the dishwasher to protect your baby from germs as their immune system is still developing. As the baby grows older, his risk of infection will gradually decrease as his immune function improves. At this time, the pacifier can be cleaned with dish soap and water.
Pacifiers come in different shapes and sizes. Once you find the type your child likes, buy a few more, because when your child uses a pacifier, it is likely to fall to the floor or bed, sometimes even when you need it. But disappeared for no reason. However, never tie a pacifier to a string as a solution to a dropped or lost pacifier, as the baby may get strangled by the string. In addition, considering the safety of the baby, never remove the nipple from the bottle and use it as a pacifier for the baby, because he may suck the nipple from such a nipple into his respiratory tract, causing suffocation. Your baby's airway can also be blocked if the pacifier is not the right size for his age, so be sure to check the age recommendations on the packaging to make sure the pacifier you choose is suitable for your child.