Is It Okay for Babies to Sleep with a Pacifier?

The natural act of sucking on a pacifier can soothe a restless baby, as well as help him or her fall asleep. Is allowing our children to sleep with a pacifier in their mouth really as bad as so many believe?

When it comes time to go to bed, pacifiers can be very useful for babies who find it comforting to have something to suck on. Although many parents wonder whether it’s ok or not to let their children sleep with a pacifier, the answer is yes, it is.

There is no risk in allowing our children to sleep with a pacifier!

Babies have a desire to suck when they’re tired, bored or merely need comfort. Some may require the pacifier more than others and, in this sense, having one to suck on can provide the peace of mind necessary to get a good night’s rest.

Of course, if the pacifier falls out while the child sleeps, it’s not necessary to put it back into his mouth.

However, if you’re still breastfeeding the baby, we recommend that you wait before switching to a pacifier. This way, you’ll make sure that lactation is well established.

Establishing lactation usually takes three to four weeks. Pacifiers can be used to calm your baby down once you know he’s well nourished and no longer hungry.

Moreover, research has shown that sleeping with a pacifier isn’t a critical factor for getting a good night’s rest.

In fact, there are no significant differences in sleep patterns between babies who sleep with a pacifier and those who don’t. Therefore, parents shouldn’t worry too much if their children can’t get to sleep without a pacifier.

Is it okay for children to sleep with a pacifier?

The answer is yes, it’s safe for you to give your baby a pacifier before bedtime. However, it’s necessary that you take into account some guidelines to make sure you’re doing it in the safest way possible.

Take note. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about the use of pacifiers here:

• Don’t tie a string to the pacifier, it increases the risk of strangulation.
• Don’t give your baby a pacifier at night while he’s learning to breastfeed.
• Make sure to keep the pacifier clean and disinfect it with hot water always.
• Use the correct pacifier size, which matches the baby’s age.
• Don’t cover the pacifier with anything.
• You should only use one-piece pacifiers.
• The pacifier should have breathing holes in the protector.

Benefits of sleeping with a pacifier

The first and the most apparent benefit of sleeping with a pacifier is the overall calming sensation it provides. When babies love their pacifiers, they won’t abandon them quickly, even if it’s nap time or if it’s time to go to bed. And, as you can imagine, a quiet baby is synonymous to calm parents.

If you notice that your baby becomes stressed and gets in a bad mood when you try taking away the pacifier before bedtime, think twice: remember that it makes them feel better and has no negative consequences. Having a pacifier to suck on generates calmness, which in turn makes it easier to fall asleep.

Another important advantage of sleeping with a pacifier is that it reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In fact, it reduces the chances by half.

Furthermore, a pacifier can help babies learn to control their feelings, help them to relax and make them feel safe when it’s bedtime.

Accordingly, multiple studies have found that using a pacifier correlates with a lowered risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The reasons for the positive effects aren’t clear yet, but the research is quite firm: by giving babies a pacifier at night, you can help reduce the chances of them suffering from this problem.

In conclusion, remember that it’s not bad for children to sleep with a pacifier. If you notice that your baby doesn’t want to get rid of the pacifier while he or she sleeps, you shouldn’t worry. Sucking on a pacifier has some very important benefits for our children’s well-being.