Pacifiers have been popular baby soothing accessories for hundreds of years. Babies with a strong sucking reflex often suck their thumbs or fingers to lull them to sleep. Especially in the early months when babies may become distressed easily, pacifiers are a useful tool in a parent’s toolbox. Not every baby will need a pacifier, but some will be totally committed to them. Pacifiers provide babies with:
A source of comfort – Many babies are at their happiest when they’re sucking on something. Pacifiers offer babies the soothing effects of a nipple without the feeding aspect (this is known as non-nutritive vs nutritive sucking).
A temporary distraction – Pacifiers offer a useful soothing distraction when babies are distressed during or after medical procedures like shots, blood tests and more.
A sleeping aid – Many babies fall asleep at their mother’s breast. You may find that slipping a pacifier into your baby's mouth eases them into bed without waking them up.
Oral support for babies - When mothers cannot breast-feed for medical reasons, babies may benefit from pacifiers for early oral stimulation or strengthening of the sucking reflex.
Finding the best pacifier
When it comes to finding the right pacifier for your baby, you may find yourself overwhelmed by choice. These are some of the distinguishing features to consider:
- Shape – Pacifier nipples come in all different shapes, each with a different claim to fame. Unless you have been given a specific recommendation, finding the right pacifier is often a matter of trial and error.
- Size – Over time baby’s oral cavity grows and so does their sucking power. For this reason it is important to follow the age guidelines on the pacifier. Emulait’s pacifier, for example, is available for babies 0-6 months and coming soon 6-18 months. Some signs that the pacifier is too small include baby struggling to keep a pacifier in their mouth, outright rejecting a familiar pacifier, or the shield sitting too close to their face.
- Safety – Make sure to purchase a single-piece pacifier with no detachable parts. Inspect your pacifier regularly for any signs of wear or damage, especially once your baby’s teeth start growing.
- Accessories – Pacifier shields, cases and clips should always be checked for signs of wear and choking hazards.
Babies are notorious for being fussy when it comes to pacifiers! For this reason, Emulait’s pacifier has been designed to emulate the familiar softness and texture of a nipple. We achieve this by using softer premium silicone than other pacifiers on the market. Unlike our bottle nipple, the silicone we use is a little thicker so that it doesn’t have the stretchability which makes our bottles unique for feeding purposes. Ergonomic and thoughtfully designed, our pacifiers reflect our commitment to your baby’s oral health and safety – and your peace of mind!
In summary
As with all baby-related choices, do your own research or speak with a trusted health professional to make your decision about using a pacifier. Some health professionals may recommend that you wait until breastfeeding is established before introducing a pacifier. There are pros and cons to pacifier use, and you may find that what is good for one baby may be totally different from another – even within your own family!
At Emulait we are committed to designing products that will help you and your baby on your feeding journey. Similar to our bottles, the pacifier has been designed to evoke the familiarity of a real nipple through its texture and softness. However, the pacifier has a distinct shape just as it has a distinct function. We're excited to introduce the pacifier to Emulait’s growing range - and you might find that the Emulait pacifier is precisely what you need in your baby toolbox.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical or health advice. Always consult a medical professional or healthcare provided for any medical advice, diagnoses, treatment, or health objectives.
