Dummy/Pacifier Effect on Your Baby

IND Version

Perhaps, one of the exciting discovery in this world is the discovery of Dummy for the baby. Mothers or parents who actively care for their children is certainly aware of the "blessings" of the dummy existence. In essence, Dummy facilitates the process of caring for baby, because the parents are not too bothered if baby's sucking desire arise at certain times (especially in the middle of the night).

This delight may begin to be interfered with many reporting that the use of the Dummy is not safe for the baby. Dummy began to be considered as "enemies" for breastfeeding advocates. We might thingking : is it true that Dummy is not safe for babies? Should we emphatically reject the use of Dummy? Some of this information may be used as consideration in determining your choice:

DUMMY PRO SEDATIVE

In a study noted that the Dummy is able to provide a calming effect on babies under 6 months when they want to do minor medical procedures. Feeling safe and comfortable during pulled-dummy give  peacefull feeling for infant thus reducing the time to cry. Dummy calming effect on minor medical procedures that have been studied include catheterization, circumcision, infusion, lumbar punction, screening retinopathy in premature cases, and venipuncture.

DUMMY PRO PREMATURE INFANT

Dummy is known to accelerate the ability of premature babies to use his ability to suck (using the mouth) so that the length-use of infusion can be reduced. Sucking on a pacifier mechanism to strengthen the muscles around the mouth that is used as an exercise in premature infants. The result, the ability of preterm infants to bottle-dot increases, the use of intravenous nutrition as the path is reduced, and the time of hospital stay decreased.

DUMMY PRO DECREASING SIDS

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome = Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) usually occurs in infants in the prone sleeping position (head down), having trouble swallowing so that the rest of the food still comes out through the mouth while sleeping (Javanese people often use the term gumuh -red), and suddenly stopping breathing during sleep. Dummy use appears to resolve the problems. To that end, Dummy can be given when the baby going to sleep and wait until the dummy apart itself because of falling asleep.

Some advantages of Dummy use to the baby also needs to be balanced by the constraints that may arise due to the use of Dummy in infants, such as: Exclusive breast feeding, Infection, Otitis Media, and Impaired dentition.

DUMMY VS BREASTFEEDING

Hot topic raised regarding the effect of the use of Dummy is its effect on breast-feeding (breast milk). Many people argue that the Dummy would inhibit the provision of exclusive breastfeeding program. Babies who use Dummy early on led to decrease of sucking ability to natural breast because it has been accustomed to an artificial nipple sucking (pacifier). With reduced ability to suck the breast is prone to exclusive breastfeeding failure.

Why is that happen?
Like a cycle of cause and effect, the less stimulation of breast sucking by the baby will experience a decrease in milk production. Reduced milk production would be addressed by many parents with the provision of Dummy in children. The result, the child's ability to suck the milk was decreased. Finally, exclusive breastfeeding are vulnerable to failure.

Recognizing the importance of breastfeeding for children's development, the experts suggest the use of dot just after the baby is able to suck (steadily) on the nipple / breast naturally. The average time it takes a baby to be able to suck on the nipple is one month.

DUMMY VS INFECTION

Using non hygienic dummy is potential to spread germs to the baby. Some studies show that Dummy is a "home" of a few colonies of bacteria and fungus Candida. Infections that may occur in infants using Dummy is a disorder of the ear (Otitis Media) and infection of the tooth. One way  to maintain hygiene Dummy is (always) cleaning during use.

DUMMY VS OTITIS MEDIA

Otitis media is an infection that occurs in the middle ear. The structure of the ear canal in infants closer to the mouth and protection system is less favorable than the structure of the adult ear. Because of this structure, the disturbance at the mouth will ease the disruption to the structure of the middle ear. On the Dummy users found increased cases of otitis media. Perhaps these events associated with impaired dentition and increased susceptibility to infection in the use of the Dummy is not hygienic. Researchers at the AAP (American Academy of Pediatry) suggested to reduce or completely stop the use of the Dummy in children at age 6 months and older to avoid the occurrence of otitis media.

DUMMY VS DENTAL GROWTH DISORDER

It is undeniable that the Dummy has a different texture with natural breasts. This texture effect on the growth of your child's teeth at a later date. From the survey results revealed that children who are still using a Dummy/pacifier at the age of 24 months (2 years) will be compromised dentition (i.e. the upper teeth and lower teeth are not symmetrical when shut). Research shows malocclusi cases are increasing as the longer use of Dummy in children. Looking at the results of this study, associations of pediatric dentists in the United States (AAPD and ADA) recommends to discontinue use of the Dummy actively at the age of 4 years and above.

In addition, although research has not shown consistent results, giving the sugar in Dummy also affect the occurrence of dental caries of children. To avoid this, you should not always give a smear of liquid sugar in children Dummy.

So, after a brief description of Dummy effect on the baby, how is your choice in using the Dummy? Certainly many people hope for caring for a child with a healthy, safe, and easy way. Hopefully this brief information can make you choose a right choices that match the spirit of healthy, safe, and easy way.

Sources :

1. Ari Yunanto. Masalah Penggunaan Dot pada Bayi. situs : http://www.idai.or.id/asi/artikel.asp?q=201239105845, akses : 1 Agustus 2012.

2. Bamirus Mikail, Asep Candra. Waspadai Efek Samping Penggunaan Dot. Situs : http://health.kompas.com/read/2012/05/06/16245774/Waspadai.Efek.Samping.Penggunaan.Dot, akses 1 Agustus 2012.

3.Will a dummy interfere with the development of my baby's teeth?. Situs : http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/dailycare/dummy&teethexpert/, akses : 1 Agustus 2012.

4. Sumi Sexton and Ruby Natale.2009. Risk dan Benefitsof Pacifiers.Am Fam Physician; 79(8):681-685