[Submitted Question]

My little one will usually stop crying if I give her a pacifier. I never wanted to be one of those moms that use pacifiers to calm their babies. Now I wonder if there is a better way or whether maybe a pacifier isn’t quite so bad after all.

[WombToBloom]

There is nothing wrong with a pacifier for a baby. Nothing at all. Now, toddlers and preschoolers who have to remove pacifiers from their mouths in order to speak to their moms in full sentences? That, I have issues with.

The sucking reflex can be so calming – as you already know. If it relaxes your daughter, let her be relaxed. Don’t be held hostage by expectations you placed on yourself before you even had kids. Go with what works.

If you’re concerned about a total reliance or “addiction”, you can try limiting the use of a pacifier to the crib only or at nighttime only as your baby gets older. You can take the pacifier out of her mouth (gently!) after she is asleep. You can take it after she has calmed down and become distracted by something else so that she doesn’t get used to having in her mouth all day long.

But don’t beat yourself up about something that can be very helpful and soothing – most moms have enough guilt issues as it is. No need to add another!