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Ponder the Pacifier

Whether or not to use pacifiers is an age-old debate, but the American Academy of Pediatrics gives it the thumbs up through the first year of life. Sucking is comforting, familiar and calming to babies and a pacifier can be the ideal way to provide contentment between feedings. Other good reasons to use one? It can soothe your baby when she's fussy, help her go to sleep and may even help reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk.

On the flip side, babies can become pacifier dependent and cry when it falls out of their mouths while sleeping or become cranky when it's taken away. Some have trouble learning to nurse if they receive a pacifier too soon, and using one for too long can lead to dental problems later. In spite of the shortcomings, pacifiers are lifesavers for many new parents. If you're one of them, make it a healthier habit with these tips:

  • Wash a new pacifier with soap and water before using. To keep it free from fungi, soak it in equal parts of white vinegar and water for a few minutes each day, then let it air dry.
  • Don't "clean" your baby's pacifier in your own mouth to avoid spreading germs to her.
  • Look for a dishwasher-safe, one-piece style that can't come apart and become a choking hazard.
  • Once you find a pacifier your baby likes, keep a few backups on hand and replace worn ones before they start deteriorating.
  • Think twice before using a pacifier clip. Make sure it's not long enough to wrap around baby's neck.
  • Avoid pacifier auto-pilot by rocking or feeding your baby first when she's fussy. Don't push the pacifier if she isn't interested.
  • Most children stop using pacifiers on their own between the ages of two and four, but if yours has trouble giving it up, talk to your pediatrician.

Source: Mayo Clinic website at www.mayoclinic.com, August 31, 2007

Consult your physician or dental professional if using another fluoridated product.

Helpful Tips
for Parents

Ponder the Pacifier

Whether or not to use pacifiers is an age-old debate, but the American Academy of Pediatrics gives it the thumbs up through the first year of life. Sucking is comforting, familiar and calming to babies and a pacifier can be the ideal way to provide contentment between feedings.
More

Drive Time

You’re always careful to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays with sunscreen, clothing and a hat when he’s outdoors. But did you know he also needs protection when he rides in the car for an extended period? The glass in car windows blocks some but not all ultraviolet rays that can cause sunburn, so if possible, move his car seat out of direct sunlight and apply broad spectrum children’s sunscreen to his exposed skin.

Hand in Hand

Are you wondering whether your baby will be right-handed or left-handed? Be patient; it may be months or years before you know for sure. Most babies start showing a preference for reaching for things with their right hands between six and nine months, but it’s not until they’re 18 months or older that they start using their preferred hand more consistently. By age three or four, their handedness should be fairly evident. If it’s not, you may want to talk to your pediatrician.

Source: “How Handedness Develops in Infants,” by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P., www.drspock.com, June 10, 2001