| Whether one refers to them as teething rings, | | | | Pacifiers are a controversial subject. For |
| pacifiers, dummies or binkies, many new | | | | years dentists were adverse to the use of |
| parents feel anxious about letting their | | | | pacifiers and teething rings, pointing out |
| child suck on one. Many worry that giving | | | | the very real problems caused by those that |
| their teething infant a teething ring will | | | | were first dipped in sugar. Many dentists |
| later bring about teeth problems, or oral | | | | were also concerned that persistent sucking |
| fixations when they grow up, or being | | | | on a pacifier over a long period of time |
| dependent on an object to sooth rather than | | | | could result in the misalignment of secondary |
| learning to sooth themselves. But are these | | | | teeth in children. And many doctors warn that |
| concerns justified or are teething rings | | | | prolonged and heavy pacifier use can |
| perfectly safe to give your baby? | | | | definitely interfere with speech development |
| | | | in older infants and toddlers. |
| The first recorded use of pacifiers has been | | | | |
| found on Sumerian sandstone tablets, around | | | | However, recent studies have suggested that |
| 3000 years ago. The Egyptians used coral | | | | pacifier use may decrease the risk of SIDS, |
| teething rings and they had a head of Bes | | | | and in response to this the American Academy |
| inscribed, a god associated with child | | | | of Pediatrics recently released a statement |
| welfare. In the 1600s white candy sticks were | | | | recommending the use of pacifiers at naptime |
| commonly used as teething rings for their! | | | | and bedtime through the first year of life |
| Gum sticks and gum rings were also used in | | | | (though not until after one month of age in |
| the 17th and 18th centuries. Wax candles were | | | | breastfeeding infants). |
| popular as gum sticks, as well as sticks of | | | | |
| liquorice dipped in honey. | | | | So it would appear that pacifiers are not |
| | | | only safe but, in fact, can be a great |
| The expression: born with a silver spoon in | | | | benefit. |
| his or her mouth, comes about because wealthy | | | | |
| parents gave their children a cool, silver | | | | But many breastfeeding organizations refuse |
| spoon to help ease teething pains. Other | | | | to accept this advice, at least for |
| items that have been used as teething rings | | | | breastfeeding babies. They point out that |
| or pacifiers include, hard bread, wet rags, | | | | breastfeeding frequently through the night |
| root vegetables and bagels! The list goes on | | | | offers the same sucking/lighter sleep benefit |
| and on. | | | | that is believed to be responsible for the |
| | | | reduced risk seen with pacifiers. And, unlike |
| Of course Nature has already provided the | | | | pacifiers, breastfeeding, also offers |
| perfect baby pacifier: mother's breast. In | | | | nutritional benefits and close interaction |
| many cultures, babies are carried everywhere | | | | with another human being rather. |
| that the mother goes and are soothed every | | | | |
| time they cry by simply being breast fed. | | | | In conclusion, you should defer the use of |
| This often continues until the child is 2 or | | | | pacifiers for as long as possible, especially |
| 3 years old, or even older. | | | | if you're breastfeeding. If you do use a |
| | | | pacifier, never dip it anything sweet - not |
| But the breast isn't always the answer for | | | | even honey as this can cause botulism. Babies |
| many mothers and their children. Many mothers | | | | also have a tendency to lose their pacifier |
| can't breastfeed for various reasons; they | | | | but you should never tie a pacifier around |
| may have difficulty in producing enough milk, | | | | your baby's neck, as strangulation is a real |
| or a new arrival may need mother's milk more | | | | possibility. Clean you child's pacifier after |
| than a child that is old enough to be weaned. | | | | use: wash in soap and water; never put the |
| | | | pacifier in your own mouth to clean it. |
| But are teething rings bad for baby? | | | | Finally, if you have any concerns, you should |
| | | | get advice from you doctor. |