Baby Life

A pacifier may soothe a fussy baby

2008-02-26 04:40:18

• A pacifier may soothe a fussy baby. Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something.
• Pacifiers offer temporary distraction. When your baby's hungry, a pacifier may buy you a few minutes to prepare a bottle or find a comfortable spot to nurse. A pacifier also may come in handy during shots, blood tests or other procedures.
• A pacifier may help your baby go to sleep. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick.
• A pacifier may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers have found an association between pacifier use at naptime and bedtime and a reduced risk of SIDS.
• They're disposable. When it's time to stop using pacifiers, you can throw them away. If your baby prefers to suck on his or her thumb or fingers, it may be more difficult to break the habit.

A pacifier may soothe a fussy baby