PACIFIERS

There is evidence that early introduction of pacifiers negatively impacts breastfeeding outcomes.

However, pacifier use during the birth hospitalization can provide comfort during painful procedures (e.g., circumcision) when the infant cannot otherwise be comforted.

Pacifiers can also reduce the risk of SIDS, which occurs most commonly between 2-4 months of age.
Therefore, the AAP’s policy statements recommend that introduction of pacifiers for breastfed infants be delayed until breastfeeding is firmly established, which is generally within the first few weeks.

Content source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion