Tag: Pacifier use

Non-nutritive sucking is a natural infant reflex that begins as early as 11 weeks' gestation and involves rhythmic sucking for comfort, not nutrition. This behavior, central to understanding what is non-nutritive feeding, serves vital developmental and self-regulating functions, particularly for premature babies transitioning to oral feeding.

For centuries, pacifiers have been used to soothe infants, but the question of whether using a pacifier affects feeding is a source of debate. Many parents worry that offering a pacifier could lead to nipple confusion, decreased milk supply, or difficulty establishing proper feeding habits. This guide examines the evidence to provide clarity for both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding families.