Home/Facts On Pacifier & Thumb Sucking
Facts On Pacifier & Thumb Sucking
September 6, 1999
For the first few years of a baby's life, the pacifier may be one of the most cherished possessions for both the baby and the parents. Whether it is a short drive to the nearby grocery store or dinner at a restaurant, new and experienced parents alike have all learned not to leave home without a pacifier. These little rubber nipples are called pacifiers for a reason. They, not only buy you those desperately needed moments of peace and quiet, but also satisfy your baby's need for a nonnutritive comfort sucking. The question that arises for most parents is "At what point should there be concern? And what is the optimal method of intervention?" Like most baby related questions, there are no simple and straightforward answers. Depending on the baby and the severity, intervention may be recommended, but more often than not, the so-called problem with pacifier or thumb sucking will resolve itself.
Although pacifier and thumb sucking is a normal infant habit, there is an ongoing controversy surrounding its potential interference with speech development and possible dental problems. Concerned parents are left with two possible, yet unlikely, scenarios:
Advocates of intervention to stop thumb and pacifier sucking suggest the possibility of permanent dental shifting that may require future orthodontic work. Frequent, intense, and extensive pacifier and thumb sucking increases the likelihood of adverse dental development. However, if your child uses the pacifier or sucks the thumb lightly, it is unlikely that there will be future dental problems. What is more alarming, they note, is the potential speech problem affecting articulation and pronunciation. Children with a pacifier in their mouths will try to talk around the pacifier without removing it. In more severe cases, they will attempt to talk later or less often, thus hindering speech development.
Fortunately, problems arising from thumb and pacifier sucking are rare, and when they do occur, they are treatable. In addition, because pacifier and thumb sucking soothes and makes children feel secure, those who argue against intervention note that it is not worth risking possible psychological damage by forcing children to stop comfort sucking before they are ready. Moreover, they point out that babies' desire to put other objects in their mouths, contact with other children, and the need to use two hands for certain activities will all contribute to the eventual weaning off of the thumb or pacifier. However, if there is any concern that your baby may be suffering from excessive comfort sucking, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
For the first few years of a baby's life, the pacifier may be one of the most cherished possessions for both the baby and the parents. Whether it is a short drive to the nearby grocery store or dinner at a restaurant, new and experienced parents alike have all learned not to leave home without a pacifier. These little rubber nipples are called pacifiers for a reason. They, not only buy you those desperately needed moments of peace and quiet, but also satisfy your baby's need for a nonnutritive comfort sucking. The question that arises for most parents is "At what point should there be concern? And what is the optimal method of intervention?" Like most baby related questions, there are no simple and straightforward answers. Depending on the baby and the severity, intervention may be recommended, but more often than not, the so-called problem with pacifier or thumb sucking will resolve itself.
Although pacifier and thumb sucking is a normal infant habit, there is an ongoing controversy surrounding its potential interference with speech development and possible dental problems. Concerned parents are left with two possible, yet unlikely, scenarios:
- Potential damage in dental and speech development from prolonged thumb and pacifier sucking.
- Possible psychological trauma from the loss of a source of comfort, derived from thumb and pacifier sucking.
Advocates of intervention to stop thumb and pacifier sucking suggest the possibility of permanent dental shifting that may require future orthodontic work. Frequent, intense, and extensive pacifier and thumb sucking increases the likelihood of adverse dental development. However, if your child uses the pacifier or sucks the thumb lightly, it is unlikely that there will be future dental problems. What is more alarming, they note, is the potential speech problem affecting articulation and pronunciation. Children with a pacifier in their mouths will try to talk around the pacifier without removing it. In more severe cases, they will attempt to talk later or less often, thus hindering speech development.
Fortunately, problems arising from thumb and pacifier sucking are rare, and when they do occur, they are treatable. In addition, because pacifier and thumb sucking soothes and makes children feel secure, those who argue against intervention note that it is not worth risking possible psychological damage by forcing children to stop comfort sucking before they are ready. Moreover, they point out that babies' desire to put other objects in their mouths, contact with other children, and the need to use two hands for certain activities will all contribute to the eventual weaning off of the thumb or pacifier. However, if there is any concern that your baby may be suffering from excessive comfort sucking, be sure to consult a pediatrician.
