Many parents will eventually face the decision of whether or not to use a soother or pacifier. There are certainly times when they will help calm a baby. Babies have a natural desire, sometimes even a need, to suck and can find it very calming and comforting. Some babies just need to satisfy their sucking instinct and a soother may be just the thing for tired or sore nursing moms.

When a soother may be helpful

-baby still wants to suck after being nursed or fed

-when it is desirable to have a calm or quiet baby such as in church or theater

-when extra saliva will help relieve acid reflux or indigestion

-when you prefer your baby not suck their thumb (easier to remove a soother than a thumb)

When the soother is better avoided

-during the first several weeks of nursing while baby is learning how to nurse

-if it is starting to interfere with proper development of baby teeth and or jaw

-if the soother is preventing the child from developing verbal communication skills

-the child is only able to calm themselves with a soother

Soother safety

-never tie or attach a soother to your baby, it can be a strangulation hazard

-always inspect the soother for tears, holes or other damage that can harm your baby

-periodically give the nipple a good tug to check that it is still firmly attached

-buy the size designed for the age of your baby

-never sweeten the soother with honey or other sweet "treat" it can lead to early tooth decay and promote poor eating habits