Authors: Lindsten, Rune¹; Larsson, Erik²

Source: Journal of Dentistry for Children, Volume 76, Number 3, September-December 2009 , pp. 199-203(5)

Publisher: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract:

Purpose: Pacifiers and their forerunners have been condemned in past centuries, probably beginning in the 17^th and 18^th centuries when alcohol and opiates were incorporated as fillings in sucking rags in Great Britain. Nowadays, the modern pacifier is criticized for reducing breast-feeding time and encouraging weaning. The purpose of this study was to analyze if pacifier-sucking has been detrimental to breast-feeding in the past few decades.

Methods: In the present study, 2 groups of young children born 30 years apart (1967 and 1995 to 1997) in the same geographic area were analyzed in the first 6 months of age regarding their sucking and feeding habits, including initial and prolonged pacifier-sucking and breast-feeding.

Results: Findings do not support the commonly held opinion that pacifier-sucking reduces breast-feeding time. In the 30 years that separate the 2 groups, the pacifier-sucking habit increased by 32% and prolonged use of a pacifier increased. At the same time, breast-feeding at 6 months old has increased 20-fold in the contemporary group (born between 1995 and 1997) as compared with the 1967 group.

Conclusions: The results suggest that mothers might be unable to satisfy their child's sucking urge through breast-feeding alone, and that they use the pacifier as a supplement. Pacifier use does not negatively affect the prevalence of breast-feeding.

Keywords: ORTHODONTICS; PUBLIC HEALTH/EPIDEMIOLOGY; GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Department of Orthodontics, The Institute for Postgraduate Dental Education, Jonkoping, Sweden 2: University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Publication date: 2009-09-01

More about this publication?

• Acquired after the merger between the American Society of Dentistry for Children and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in 2002, the Journal of Dentistry for Children (JDC) is an internationally renowned journal whose publishing dates back to 1934. Published three times a year, JDC promotes the practice, education and research specifically related to the specialty of pediatric dentistry. It covers a wide range of topics related to the clinical care of children, from clinical techniques of daily importance to the practitioner, to studies on child behavior and growth and development. JDC also provides information on the physical, psychological and emotional conditions of children as they relate to and affect their dental health.
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