Tips – Why use a Soother?

Is it ok to use a soother not pacificer?
Babies are born wanting to suck. Some even suck their thumb or fingers before they are born and can be a very helpful way for babies to cope with tension.This is a natural behaviour that allows them to feed and grow. It is also comforting and helps them settle. Sucking on a soother can relieve pain and will help comfort a baby when they are not hungry

However, it should never be used instead of feeding, and it should never be used without the extra comfort and cuddling a parent can provide. If your baby seems to want to suck in between feedings, a soother can help.

Studies have shown that premature babies transfer more quickly tube feeding, if they are given a soother to suck on before feeds. Using a soother can result in shorter hospital stays for preterm infants.

What are the advantages?
Soothers are an easy and non-medicinal comfort technique to ease pain. Sucking on a soother is better than a thumb or finger because it causes fewer problems with future tooth development. A parent can control the use of a soother but it’s harder to control thumb sucking. Also, the latest medical research finds that using a soother may decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or cot death.

What are the disadvantages?
Using a soother can lead to problems with breastfeeding. It is advised to wait until breast feeding is established. Sweetened soothers tied around a baby’s neck are not safe and could lead to injury or death. If you choose to use a soother for your baby:

  • Use an orthodontic soother.
  • Keep the soother as clean as possible.
  • Renew your baby’s soother often – check regularly for cracks, splits and holes, which can trap germs, and replace with a new soother immediately. The NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) recommend that the soother be replaced every town months
  • Wait for your baby to look for the soother rather than automatically giving it to them
  • Try to “wean” your child off the soother before his first birthday (it is much easier to do it then, than at 2-3 years old)