From the moment we welcome our baby, we are eager to give them whatever they need to be happy and content. For many infants, that special something is a pacifier. Newborn babies have an innate need to suckle, and pacifiers help meet that need. Keep reading to learn all about the benefits of giving your baby a pacifier.
Exploring the Benefits of Pacifiers
As a parent, you know the importance of soothing and calming your little one. Pacifiers help achieve the following:
● They soothe your baby
● They reduce the risk of SIDS
● They help with weaning
Many parents have turned to pacifiers as an ideal solution to soothing a crying baby, but binkies also have many other practical uses.
Pacis Soothe Babies
Pacifiers help to soothe your baby. That trusty binky can save the day—whether at night, during a car ride, or out and about.
According to the National Library of Medicine, sucking on a paci helps babies relax by engaging their natural sucking reflex. Plus, using a binky reminds them of their time in your tummy, since babies start sucking their fingers around 14 weeks into gestation. Engaging this reflex also helps reduce your baby’s heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels.
A Source of Comfort
A pacifier can be a comforting source of security for babies as they learn about our world. As you prepare for any appointment, pack their binky, blanket, and favorite toy into the diaper bag. Going to the doctor can be scary, but a pacifier can lend your little one some relief as they self-soothe.
Binkies Reduce the Risk of SIDS
Also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS is a very real fear, especially because the root cause of the syndrome remains unknown.
A study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that one reason a pacifier helps prevent SIDS is that it pushes an infant's tongue forward. This mouth movement helps ease a baby's breathing.
Pacifiers Help With Weaning
As any breastfeeding parent knows, weaning can be a complex and daunting process. A pacifier is a great tool that can make the transition easier. In toddlerhood, sucking on pacifiers creates a soothing habit similar to breastfeeding, but without having to actually nurse the baby. When properly used and monitored, pacifiers can wean a child off breastfeeding without stressing them out. Pacifiers also provide an opportunity to practice comfort-seeking behaviors such as self-soothing, which helps build essential skills later in life.
A Bonus of Pacis
Using a binky helps with cognitive development, especially in the case of hand-eye coordination and motor skills like grabbing or pointing. As your baby grows, they'll learn to grab their pacifier independently. Grabbing it themselves and putting the paci into their mouth improves this essential life skill.
Here at Ryan & Rose, we sell pacifier holder clips that easily keep the binky within your baby’s reach. Simply loop the binky, teether, or toy to one end, and then clip it to your infant’s clothing, stroller, or blanket.
