Recommendations for the use of pacifiers

Question 1

What percentage of Canadian infants use a pacifier at least some of the time?

Answer 1

84%

Question 2

What are the Canadian Dental Association recommendation regarding pacifier and dentition?

Answer 2

1. Recommend pacifier use over thumb sucking
2. Pacifier use >5yo maybe associated with malocclusion
3. Do not sweeten pacifier as it promotes cavities
4. Sucking habit should stop before the permanent teeth erupt

Question 3

What is the association between pacifier use and infection?

Answer 3

Pacifiers can be considered a fomites but their ability to cause clinically significant infections is questionable

Appropriate care and cleaning of pacifiers will limit contamination

Question 4

What is the association/recommendations regarding pacifier use and breastfeeding?

Answer 4

Early pacifier use should signify to health care professionals possible breastfeeding difficulties

Question 5

What is the recommendations regarding pacifier use and AOM?

Answer 5

Infants and children with chronic or recurrent otitis media should be restricted in their use of a pacifier

Question 6

What is the association between pacifier use and SIDS?

Answer 6

Pacifiers should not be routinely discouraged as the current evidence suggests a decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome associated with their use

Question 7

What is the association between pacifiers and analgesia?

Answer 7

Pacifiers improve pain control and should be used in NICU for comfort in preterm or sick infants

Question 8

What is the association between pacifiers and non-nutritive sucking?

Answer 8

Non-nutritive sucking is beneficial for development and pacifiers should be used in NICU for preterm or sick infants to provide this benefit

Question 9

What are general recommendations regarding pacifier use?

Answer 9

1. Counsel about safe and appropriate use of pacifiers should be part of routine anticipatory guidance in the care of newborns, infants and children.
2. Until further research leads to more conclusive evidence on adverse outcomes, health care professionals should recognize pacifer use as a parental choice determined by the needs of their newborn, infant or child.