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Oral Health Home > Toddler Tidbits > Did you know? Did you know? About Nipples and Pacifiers

Breastfeeding is natural and ideal.

  • Completely satisfies baby's nutritional needs
  • Provides antibodies and other "immunities" against infection from early childhood illnesses.
  • Breastmilk is ALWAYS ready at the right temperature.
  • Helps mom's tummy return to normal size.
  • Is the best way to ensure baby's normal jaw development.

Artificial Nipples and Pacifiers

  • Base should clear the nose area to permit breathing.
  • Length and flexibility must allow baby to adapt it with the tongue against the roof of his/her mouth.

Nipples

Bottle Nipple Flow Diagram
Hole in nipple adjusts flow of liquid and should not be enlarged (...unless baby is a preemie) so cheek and lip muscles develop properly.

Pacifiers

Pacifier Diagram
should be: too large to swallow; have two holes in lip protector; made sturdy enough to stay in one piece.

(Abnormalities linked to improper swallowing patterns are: tongue thrust, open bite, mouth breathing, difficulty with certain beginning speech patterns.)

Sucking is a basic survival instinct of newborns. It is necessary for:

  • Feeding
  • Jaw and facial development
  • Stress reduction

Pacifiers are good substitutes for satisfying baby's natural desire to suckle.

  • can be sterilized
  • leaves baby's hands free
  • some are designed like a mother's nipple

WARNINGS

  • Do not dip pacifiers in honey, jelly, or sugar
  • Do not hang pacifiers around baby's neck
  • Do not let baby run or sit around with a bottle in its mouth
  • Do not put baby to bed with a bottle at nap time or night time

Note:
You may begin cleaning your baby's mouth after each feeding by using a clean cloth or gauze to wipe around the mouth - teeth or no teeth. Switch to a brush when baby will cooperate (10-12 months).