I love my paci!!!

I just love my paci! Well, it’s not like I cannot live without it, but sure I enjoy sucking it, especially after a good meal or before I go to bed!

However, while some parents wonder how they would ever survive their baby's first year without the use of a pacifier, others are very much opposed to the idea of using one of these little gadgets. The decision to use a pacifier is a personal one a parent must make.

Infants often suck to calm themselves and a pacifier can come in handy when sucking from the breast or bottle isn't sufficient or practical. But your baby may not even want or need to use a pacifier; some babies prefer their own fist, thumb or fingers for self-soothing.

Most experts agree that if you wish to use a pacifier, you should wait at least two weeks after birth before even attempting to introduce one. This will help your baby to establish healthy and stable nursing patterns before introducing a foreign object.

There are pros and cons to using a pacifier: They can help calm a cranky or colicky baby or a baby who is already fed and full but still wants to suck and research suggests they may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, they also may increase the risk of middle ear infections, early use may interfere with breastfeeding, and your baby may become dependent on one.

Many parents wonder when they should take away the pacifier. This is a controversial question. Some experts recommend taking it away by age two, others say the child will give it up on their own, while others say it should be given up when your baby is weaned and no longer feels the need to suck. Some children hold on to their pacifier for many years, which can lead to dental problems and can become a very difficult habit to break if it is used as a security object. However, as long as your child gives up the pacifier by around age 5, there's probably no need to worry about long-term dental problems. That's because during the early months and years, your child only has baby teeth; permanent teeth generally don't appear until around age 6.

If you do decide to use a pacifier, here are some guidelines. Read this if you are still wondering if it is OK to let your baby use pacifier at night. And read more on this issue here.