Many babies and toddlers find comfort in objects like soft comforters, pacifiers, or stuffed animals. But are there any concerns about using these items during sleep?
We've written this guide to help you learn more about pacifiers and other comfort items and their relation to baby sleep.
Can babies sleep with a pacifier?
Sucking is a natural way for babies to self-soothe. While pacifiers can't replace the comfort that you can offer when cuddling or feeding, they can be beneficial for calming and relaxing babies.
If your baby enjoys sucking, offering a pacifier at naptime and bedtime can help them sleep better.
Bottle-fed babies can use a pacifier from birth. If you're breastfeeding, it's generally recommended to wait until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and has established a good breastfeeding routine before introducing a pacifier.
Pacifiers and sleep: The benefits
Some studies suggest that giving your baby a pacifier when putting them down to sleep might reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
However, it's not clear exactly how a pacifier might help. Research has also found that if a baby used to a pacifier doesn't have one on a particular occasion, the protective effect may be reduced.
So, if your baby uses a pacifier as part of their general routine, you should aim to offer it each time you put them down for sleep, day or night.
Whether or not you give your baby a pacifier at bedtime, you should always follow safe sleep guidelines (such as not smoking and placing your baby on their back to sleep) to significantly lower the risk of SIDS.
A pacifier at bedtime can also help your baby self-soothe and fall back asleep. However, you might find yourself getting up in the middle of the night to retrieve a lost pacifier. If you want to avoid nighttime searches, consider offering them a glow-in-the-dark paci.
