How Many Pacifiers Do I Need For A New Mom – 7 Helpful Guidelines to Prepare

A pacifier, also known as a binkie or soother, is a popular suckling toy for infants. While some parents may have differing opinions on their use, pacifiers remain a common tool used by many parents to soothe and calm their babies. Whether you choose to use a pacifier to keep your baby from sucking on their thumb or to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the question of how many pacifiers you need is a common one.

As your baby grows and begins to walk, it can be challenging to keep track of their toys. Pacifiers are no exception, and there is a high likelihood that they will be lost or misplaced, just like any other toy. So, how many pacifiers do I need for a new mom? Is it possible to have too many? And when is the right time to start buying them?

These are all important questions that parents should consider. By having a few extra pacifiers on hand, you can ensure that your baby always has access to one, even if they lose or misplace one. However, it is also essential to remember that babies can become attached to their pacifiers, and it can be challenging to wean them off of them later on.

Ultimately, the number of pacifiers you need will depend on your circumstances and preferences. It is recommended to start with a few and gradually increase the number as needed. It’s also important to keep in mind that pacifiers should be replaced regularly to ensure they remain clean and safe for your baby to use.

How Many Pacifiers Do I Need For A New Mom?

Does my baby need a pacifier? It depends on you.

Again, whether or not your baby needs a pacifier is dependent on you outweighing the importance of a pacifier in your baby over the dangers. The decision to use a pacifier for your baby is a personal one and ultimately up to you as the parent. This article aims to provide you with information about pacifiers so that you can make an informed decision. While pacifiers have benefits, they also have drawbacks, but proper maintenance and supervision can help ensure the best outcome for your baby.

How Many Pacifiers Does My Baby Need?

There’s no limit to how many pacifiers you can have. The goal is to have as many as possible.

As your baby becomes mobile, keeping track of their toys can be a challenge. They may hide them or misplace them among the furniture, and pacifiers are no exception. That’s why it’s recommended that you keep a minimum of three pacifiers at hand as a mom.

Once you’ve identified the need for a pacifier, it’s important to keep several in different locations in case your baby misplaces the current one. You can keep one in your bag, another in the baby’s stroller, and a third in your bedroom, for example. Wherever you choose to keep them, the goal is to ensure you don’t run out of pacifiers when your baby needs one.

Are Bigger Pacifiers Better For My Baby?

The size of a pacifier works well only with the baby’s age. Buying a bigger pacifier would probably make your baby reject the pacifier. The size of pacifiers is made concerning the age of the babies. Getting a pacifier bigger than your baby is not a good decision.

Are There Benefits To Using Pacifiers?

Pacifiers have their contribution to the development of a newborn. These benefits are the reason parents opt for pacifiers. These benefits include

1. Better alternative to thumb 

Babies have an innate desire to suck, and the thumb is often the most easily accessible thing for them to suck on. However, prolonged thumb-sucking can have negative long-term effects on a child’s dental health and development.

Additionally, the thumb is not sterile and can carry germs that may harm the baby’s health. Babies at a young age tend to explore their surroundings by touching everything they can, and their hands can harbor bacteria and viruses. When they suck on their thumb, they introduce these harmful microbes into their mouths, increasing the risk of infections and illnesses.

2. Reduction in the risk of SIDS 

One of the significant benefits of pacifiers for babies that parents value highly is the significant reduction in the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by about 50%. It is hypothesized that pacifiers enable babies to maintain an active brain while they sleep, thereby reducing the risk of SIDS, which is often associated with heavy sleep.

SIDS is a severe health risk for babies that can result from overly deep sleep. Giving babies pacifiers to suck while they sleep helps to reduce their ability to sleep too deeply, while still allowing them to have a good nap time with some small activities going on.

3. You as a parent have total control 

Parenting is about guiding your child on how to do and when to do it. Every habit in a baby has the potential to be an annoyingly bad habit. Like I said earlier, babies always want to suck; it’s their first instinct.

Making them get used to sucking pacifiers over their thumb makes it easy to monitor when to cut them off it. It is easy to hide a pacifier when you don’t want them sucking it. It is not easy to hide their thumbs. Pacifiers make it easier to monitor their sucking habits.

4. Satisfied suckling reflex 

The pacifier helps to satisfy babies’ natural urge to keep on suckling. The benefit of this is that there’s a way to solve that reflex without bothering the mother i.e. the mother is given a break.

5. Sound sleep

Babies sleep better when they have a pacifier. It’s synonymous with putting them to sleep in a safe environment. The presence of a pacifier brings that illusion to babies.

6. Self-soothing/ Distraction 

The only thing babies do better than suckling is cry; they tend to cry a lot. Pacifiers help to serve as a distraction to your baby as it helps to soothe them and focus on the pacifier. 

A pacifier is a little guide to show them they don’t have to get mummy around but can relieve themselves. Intriguingly, they’d be able to go from crying to staying quiet on their own in the presence of a pacifier.

What Are The Risks Of Using A Pacifier?

1. Battle with breastfeeding time/Attachment 

A baby might demand a pacifier more than breastfeeding. Since they have no clear sense of identifying what to do when hungry, they might be stuck on sucking pacifiers. This is why babies who are being breastfed are not advised to try pacifiers until breastfeeding is well established.

2. Pacifier clip might be dangerous 

You can’t tell where your child would walk to or where they’d drop whatever they hold. To ensure that the pacifier is not lost and is well kept; mothers make use of pacifier clips or holders. 

These holders are ropes and might be harmful to your kid. Serious cases have shown strangulation in babies.

3. Rashes 

Often, babies with pacifiers suffer what we call pacifier rashes.

4. Speech delay

Spending so much time sucking might deter babies from making attempts to say words.

5. Ear infection 

Prolonged use of a pacifier after a baby is 6 months old puts the baby to risk of ear infection known as Otitis media.

6. Dental problem. 

Prolonged use of pacifiers in babies older than 6 months can also bring about dental problems. 

Should I Stock Up On Pacifiers Before My Baby Is Born?

Buying a large quantity of pacifiers before your baby is born might not be a wise decision. Just like how babies have preferences for the food they eat and the scents they like, they also have preferences for their toys, including pacifiers. Therefore, it’s important to make sure that the pacifiers you buy are suitable for your baby’s age, size, scent, and material preference.

To determine which pacifiers your baby prefers, you’ll need to go through a trial-and-error phase. This means you may have to purchase several pacifiers during the testing phase to find the right fit for your baby. For instance, you might need to buy both scented and unscented pacifiers to see which one your baby is more comfortable with. You may also need to purchase pacifiers with different nipple sizes and materials to identify the ones that your baby prefers.

All these points show the need to have your baby with you when shopping for pacifiers. This way, you can determine their preference and make informed decisions when purchasing pacifiers.

How Do I Choose The Right Pacifier For My Baby?

Choosing or shopping for the right pacifier for your baby can be strenuous. The whole activity has to do with you testing out the baby’s preference. You might end up buying some pacifiers that your baby won’t touch. It shows they have no interest in that kind. 

How to choose pacifiers:

1. Age and Size

The size of a pacifier is linked to the kid’s age. When you select a pacifier, ensure it correlates with your baby’s age.

2. Design and Shape

This is one of those pacifier groups that you’d need trial and error to figure out your baby’s reference. The design and shape that appeals to your baby the most are important. 

3. Scented or Unscented

As much as scent could be a good thing, babies might be repelled by the smell. 

4. Pacifier material

This also matters in identifying your baby’s preference. A lot of babies wouldn’t accept anyone other than silicon material.

When Should I Introduce The Pacifier To My Baby?

Introducing your baby to a pacifier is subjective to the feeding method they are undergoing. 

1. For babies that are being fed formula 

If for some reason you adopted a formula feed for your baby, they can have a pacifier almost immediately. This is because they are already exposed to the same kind of nipple from the feeding bottle. They won’t have any issues accepting the pacifier or triggering their gag reflex.

2. For babies that are being fed breast milk

If you’re going for natural breast milk, it’s important to wait till feeding has been established before introducing a pacifier to your baby. You might need to wait at least six weeks to get 

When Should I Be Ready To Stop the Pacifier?

According to the AAP and the AAFP, babies are advised to use pacifiers after 12 months. In addition, they recommended that pacifier weaning is best done with the optimum result when the baby clocks 6 months old; this reduces the risk of recurrent ear infections (Otitis media) and dental issues caused by prolonged use of pacifiers.

How Can I Maintain The Safe Use Of Pacifiers?

1. Keep a clean pacifier: 

After getting your pacifier from the store, ensure you sterilize the pacifier before handing it over to your baby to put in their mouth. One good way to do this is to place the new pacifier in a bowl of water and boil it for a few minutes.

2. No shared rule 

Babies are free spirits and love to share anything. It’s, however, important to avoid this sharing of their pacifier. Sharing a pacifier between two babies can lead to the transfer of germs and sickness.

3. Check out before use 

Ensure you update yourself on the state of your baby’s pacifier before giving it to them. Check out for tears and irregularities that might cause harm to your baby.

Can Pacifiers Suppress Hunger In My Baby?

A pacifier is like a wasteful exercise when it comes to babies; it cannot suppress hunger. It only distracts the baby and keeps them entertained. 

Nevertheless, medical practitioners are advising against the use of a pacifier to delay a meal. A pacifier should never be used to delay a meal.

Can Babies That Are Breastfed Take Pacifiers? When?

Yes, babies going through breast milk feeding can take pacifiers after the feeding pattern has been established. This is to prevent pacifiers from competing for breastfeeding time. Babies have a track record of getting more attached to the pacifier than usual.

Hence, it’s always advised to get them established on breast milk feeding before introducing them to the pacifier. 

Why Do Babies Gag On Pacifiers?

Babies gag on pacifiers because of the high gag reflex in their mouths. A gag reflex is a form of expelling or eliminating strange substances from the baby’s body. This gag reflex is more concentrated in their mouth as they grow.

The presence of a pacifier in the baby’s mouth and across the gum signals a strange solid substance; so the baby gags in response to that. 

How Many Pacifier Clips Do I Need?

To ensure your babies don’t lose their pacifiers very often, the invention of the pacifier clip happened. You don’t need too many pacifier clips around- just one is enough and can be put anywhere on your baby’s clothing.

Where Can Pacifier Clips Be Placed?

You can place pacifier clips anywhere. It can be attached to your baby’s pants, arm, shoulder, and more. In all the specific placements, it should not be placed in a place that can cause harm to your baby.

Are Pacifier Clips Safe To Use Overnight?

Pacifier clips are not safe to be used overnight. There have been some cases of the use of paper clips going across the baby’s neck to cause strangulation. It’s okay to take them off as they go to sleep.

Final Thought

It’s completely normal to be concerned about your baby and the toys they use, including pacifiers. While there’s no set limit on how many pacifiers you might need to buy, it’s important to have enough on hand to avoid running out.

The pacifier can be a helpful tool for parents, but it’s also important to be aware of the potential risks and how to minimize them. That means understanding how to choose the right pacifier for your baby based on factors like age, size, and material. It also means paying attention to your baby’s reaction to the pacifier and being aware of any potential issues, such as pacifier clips that could pose a choking hazard.

Ultimately, the responsibility for the pacifier’s use and safety rests with you as the parent or caregiver. By staying informed and vigilant, you can help ensure that your baby benefits from the advantages of using a pacifier while minimizing any potential risks.