Should we use a pacifier?

Should we use a pacifier?

In short, yes. But the arguments of supporters and opponents of the pacifier are still being studied.

One of the main arguments in favor of the pacifier was put forward by several researchers at the end of the 20th century: it reduces the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome [1]. While convincing evidence has not yet been found, [2] the American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends pacifiers to babies just in case, especially during sleep [3].

Further, pacifiers have not been shown to interrupt breastfeeding [4]. Sometimes babies just want to suck (this is a reflex) and a pacifier helps them to calm down.

Many parents fear that pacifiers will impact their baby’s bite. This can happen, but only if the baby uses a pacifier for more than a year [5].

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1. Do pacifiers reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? A meta-analysis. Fern R. Hauck, Olanrewaju O. Omojokun, Mir S. Siadaty. Pediatrics, 2005.

2. Infant pacifiers for reduction in risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Kim Psaila, Jann P. Foster, et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 05 April 2017.

3. Changing Concepts of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Implications for Infant Sleeping Environment and Sleep Position. Pediatrics, March 2000, 105, 3. P. 650–656. DOI:

4. Effect of restricted pacifier use in breastfeeding term infants for increasing duration of breastfeeding. Sharifah Halimah Jaafar, Jacqueline J Ho, et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 30 August 2016.

5. The effect of pacifier sucking on orofacial structures: a systematic literature review. Karin Michèle Schmid, Remo Kugler, et al. Prog Orthod, 2018.