The Use of the Soother |
For the baby, sucking is a spontaneous action that gives it pleasurable sensations.
It is an answer against fear and the sense of loneliness, as it stimulates the production of substances in the brain, which help relaxation.
The soother, therefore, comforts and gives peace of mind to the newly born baby and, thus, to the family environment.
 Naturally, the soother must not be a substitute for the intimate mother-child relationship, which is so important for the psychological development of the child.
It is advisable to use it when the child clearly shows a strong desire to suck, and avoid using it when it is evident that the child wishes to communicate.
 The use of the soother should be limited, at least in the first phases, to enable good progress to be made with breast-feeding.
If there is a reduction in the amount of maternal milk, it is advisable to reduce the use of the soother for a time to encourage the baby to latch on to the breast more frequently.
At present, the use of a soother during sleep at night, and during the day, is becoming more widely advised for all babies until the age of 1.
A study published in the highly respected scientific journal Paediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Paediatrics), has in fact shown that the use of the soother during sleep results in a significant reduction in the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) also known as "cot death".
Moreover, it has been shown that the use of the soother until the 24th month of life does not interfere with the natural growth of the palate, the teeth or the gums, but in fact, it has a positive influence on the development of the mouth.
The sucking of the thumb, which is the usual alternative to the soother, is more dangerous because it exercises more pressure on the teeth and the muscles.
It is not advisable to use the soother only in the case of frequent otitis or dental malocclusion.
It is highly inadvisable to give the soother to the baby after dipping it into sweet substances such as honey or sugar: this could encourage bad feeding habits and result in the early formation of decay in the milk teeth.
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