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PRO's of pacifier use for SIDS prevention:
- There are many studies which support the claim that pacifiers reduce that risk of SIDS
- Pacifers help keep an infant's airway patent while he/she is sleeping
- Pacifiers stimulate brain activity (sucking) preventing an infant from falling into a very deep sleep, a proposed risk factor for SIDS
- A baby sleeping with a pacifier is unlikely to sleep on his/her stomach, another proposed risk factor for SIDS
CON's of pacifier use for SIDS prevention:
- Pacifier use in general has many downsides, especially the negative effect it has on the ability of an infant to breastfeed effectively (nipple confusion)
- An infant who sucks on a pacifier continuously is at an increased risk of other health concerns such as ear infections and dental problems
- The American Academy of Pediatrics still does not recommend the use of pacifiers for SIDS prevention
(Showen, 2006)
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