Thumb Sucking vs. Using Pacifiers

It used to be that parents were discouraged from using pacifiers, since there was the worry that they interfere with breast feeding and prolonged use could cause speech delays and dental problems.

But since the American Academy of Pediatrics came out with new recommendations and stated that using a pacifier might be protective against SIDS, more babies are using them.

Latest Developments

Background

Parenting experts have long known that nonnutritive sucking, such as sucking on a finger, thumb, or pacifier, is normal behavior for most infants and young children and according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, it is "associated with their need to satisfy the urge for contact and security."

Most infants don't just like using a pacifier though. Some prefer sucking on their fingers or thumb. So is using a pacifier better than allowing your baby to suck on her fingers or thumb? That is the question that many parents are asking now.