Perception of pacifier use among caregivers of infants 0–1 years of age

Abstract

American Academy of Pediatrics approves pacifier use for soothing and calming; it recommends delaying its use until breastfeeding is well established. Though pacifiers have protective effects against sudden infant death syndrome, prolonged use of a pacifier can lead to complications. American Academy of Family Physicians discourages the use by 6 months to 1 year of age. Pacifier use guidelines are not established primarily due to a paucity of information regarding initiation, termination, benefits, and harmful effects of pacifiers by parents. We aim to investigate pacifier use among caregivers of 0–1-year-old infants. It was a descriptive study of parents or caregivers of children 0–1 year of age who completed a questionnaire focused on pacifier use. Statistical analysis was calculated using SPSS version 23. One hundred thirty-three caregivers were interviewed. One hundred eighteen (88.7%) caregivers were mothers. Ninety-one (68.4%) of caregivers identified as Hispanic and 42 (30.1%) as African American. Caregivers reported that mean pacifier use was 16 months and 3.4 h/day. One hundred six (80%) reported the most common use of the pacifier alone was to calm the baby. For the weaning method, 37 (27.8%) stated that gradual decrease of pacifiers was useful whereas 33 (24.8%) stated that abrupt removal of pacifiers was effective. Seventy-two (54.1%) reported that their family and friends recommended pacifiers. Eleven (8.3%) caregivers reported that information about pacifiers was provided by medical and day-care providers. Pacifier use was not significantly related to the feeding method during the first 2 months of life. This study identifies impressions and common misconceptions of pacifier use which may assist in the development of comprehensive guidelines.