Discussion of the Day
Child's Pacifier
EnBird24Jan 25, 24
Having a pacifier on hand is very handy to have, or maybe not. I see & understand when a baby or a child needs one, but if you can even better if they are not used to it. In my opinion, I would never introduce this to any child or baby for many reasons. I was so lucky that my children never had it. What I really find that is disgusting when you're in public & you see a child about 3 4 yrs old & still have one. Don't parents know it is really bad for their gum & new teeth growing, plus at that stage they drop it & straight away in their mouth without washing. A baby is always contented by not being hungry, wet, dirty, cold, hot, burped, cuddled, held, talk/sing whatever. If you do all of this, baby is fine. No need of a pacifier. I had 3 & none never ever took it. What do you feel by having a pacifier? Is it a quick fix thing to shut the child for peace, or just habit by following others?
Comments
  • Well my lil girl used one but yes I I agree
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    • Yes
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      • My children used them. When they were 18 months took it away. Bye bye
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        • I agree about the dropping and not cleaning before they put it back in their mouths, I still see this when I am shopping.
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          • Americans call it a pacifier...the British call it a dummy...my case rests
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            • I didn't have one when I was a child. My children had one when they were still using their baby bottle. When they were about one year old they gave up both.
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              • I had four children and none of them ever had a dummy. But then again, I gave of my time to my children and comforted them or cuddled if needed made sure they were not hungry, dirty, wet, cold, and we laughed a lot and danced to songs on the radio and did things together. So they didn't need one. So many parents seem to be too busy with their phones, jobs, or other people rather than their children so a dummy seems to suffice for the care you gave to your children.
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                • I sucked my thumb as a kid and that was from lack of a decent mother didn’t do my teeth any favours but the witch wouldn’t get me braces so I had to sort it out myself . My kids only had them because my mother in law gave them a dummy but they got tossed before they were 12 mths old .
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                • Priscilla R 316016Carrie C 565223
                  Good on you. You would have been a great mother as you wanted the best for your children!
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              • Basically I think it is up to individual parents and I don't believe in judging others. My kids didn't need them ... but.
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                • I gave dummy to my son when he was 10days old. He spit it out multiple times so i didn't give to him again. He never had one and i am so glad!!! I don't think children really need one it's the parents who need their children to have one.
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                  • My children spat it out first time ... guess they weren't going to waste time if nothing was comint out.
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                    • do you as an adult have something that gives you comfort? Well, a child will choose something that gives them comfort. My first child didn't accept a dummy, but used to chew the hell out of his bottle's nipple (and he tried it on my nipple too!!!). My other two children used dummies and stopped once they went to prep/school. All my kids have great teeth. Always check off first what the child needs (food, nappy change, warmth/coolness, thirsty, pain etc) Always cuddle and reassure. Whatever keeps them happy, settled and secure.
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                      • They use them in hospitals and they are great for colicy babies. I had 1 out of 3 use one. Introduced by Neonatal unit.
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                        • I breast fed my 2 children & neither ever needed or wanted a pacifier(Dummy )
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                          • They kids they rules sit back and watchs
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                            • Dummies are great.
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                              • dummies are easier to break the habit of than a kid sucking its thumb. I cant stand seeing 3-4 yr olds with a dummy hanging out its mouth...
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                                • Depends on the baby...whatever works. As long as it is clean and that doesn't meamn going into the mother's mouth!
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                                  • My first one didn't but the second one did. I think it depends on the child & how content they are. I do agree that it is not good for their teeth. I have a great-grandson whose front teeth were quite protruded and soon after the smoother was gone they all fell back into place & look so normal now.
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                                    • I do believe that sometimes, Mum needs the quiet that she can achieve by popping a dummy in the cranky little face that wants to cry for no apparent reason, especially as the first teeth break through. Every Mum sometimes just wishes to "have a little peace", while she gets dinner for the family and the urge to have Junior calmed is very strong.
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                                      • 1st rule of parenting... never say never! You do what you need to to keep yourself sane and your child happy.
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                                        • Absolutely disgusting things.
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                                          • There is a time and place for it. In Australia we call it a dummy. At 3-4 They are too old for it.
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                                            • Looks like ENBIRD that you annoyed some others on here Lol You aren't a child expert obviously.
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                                              • Mine never took them either, but if they had taken them and it made life easier you can bet I definitely would’ve used them, and I would never judge someones else’s parenting for using one. Parenting can be overwhelming sometimes and I think they are a useful tool when needed and if used properly damage to gums and teeth shouldn’t be an issue. I didn’t use them and all 3 of my kids needed braces. My cousin used one for her son and his teeth are perfect. And not all babies are content with having all their needs met. I had one baby like that and one that cried if he wasn’t being constantly held and one that was kind of in between.
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                                                • My son loved his so much that he would have one in his mouth, one above is nose and mouth and one in each hand
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                                                  • He hee ,dedication! :)
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                                                • When I was at primary school a girl about 7 or 8 use to suck on her thumb. I did think that odd! I never did that, not that I ever recalls.
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                                                  • I don't know if I ever had one. I did like my bottle, I remember. I use to carry it around at 3 or 4. Lol. Liked the milk. Mum gave me that as I didn't want to yet use a mug.
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                                                    • None of my 3 babies were ever interested in a pacifier. They were all breast-fed, so maybe that is why. Whenever I saw a child over than 3 or 4 with a pacifier, I was grateful that mine were never dependent on those "plugs" !
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                                                      • Dreadful things!
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                                                        • It's up to parents, yes. But the dummies need to be non toxic. I'm not sure if they were years ago. My nephew's use to have them, only until they could learn to walk. Any older than 2 is a bit ridiculous. Btw, this topic was done previously. People should check the topics, old ones, before posting new topics. Rewardia doesn't notice apparently.
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                                                          • I think it's up to the parents of the child/children to do what they think is best for them, I had 3 children, and we didn't use a dummy/pacifier, but our youngest son sucked his thumb and that was harder than getting rid of a dummy, Our grandson had a dummy/pacifier and it did him no harm to eat a bit of dirt etc. and one day we were on the ferry going from the north island to the south of NZ, when he was a toddler and it got a hole in it and we didn't have another one so I said to him what are we going to do now it's broken? he looked at me and I said shell we put it in the rubbish now it's no good and say bye bye to it, so he toddled over to the bin put it in and that was that all gone, and if he asked for it we would just say remember you said bye bye to it on the ferry, he now has a son who has a dummy so we will see how he copes with his son. If it helps the child to feel safe, or whatever there's nothing wrong with it in my opinion, each to their own, more things in life to worry about.
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                                                            • All babies are different and so are parents tolerance. Some parents prefer to not use the pacifier, while others do. You choose
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                                                              • Babies are all different, some need the reassurance of a blanket, some with a pacifier. Some can't live without Mummy and some can't wait to run away. Some love wearing pretty clothes and some strip off all the time. I love that every baby is different.
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                                                                • Its still better than a thumb you cant take that away
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                                                                  • I think it depends on the baby. 2 of mine were placid babies and didn’t really need one but the other was really hard to settle and cried a lot so a dummy really helped.
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                                                                    • Just used at that point to build up their immune system so they grow up big and strong and hopefully without any allergies. But if that fails they die from whatever disease they contract from the silly thing though it is probably cleaner than having a breast pushed into their mouth on a regular basis at that age.
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                                                                      • View all 5 replies
                                                                      • The first part of statement makes perfect sense ,, the second half is absolute nonsense!! Sorry .So now we're having a go at breastfeeding mums as well?
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                                                                      • Only when the child is 4 years old + then yes I am having a go at breast feeding women who have lost the plot and are still hanging onto some silly idea of they are doing the best thing for their child. They also seem to be the ones who are Anti Vaccers which scares me even more as they seem to think that sucking on a breast stops all infections.
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                                                                      • Liane H Colin L 88398
                                                                        Well each to their own , I'm not exactly an older child breast feeding advocate nor anti vaxxer but it certainly isn't unsterile/ dirty as you are suggesting ! Lol There are a very small percentage of children in that age bracket with special needs ( severe autism for example) that do still find benefits in night feeds to calm them down and or for nutritional needs ,but I do hear what you're saying.
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                                                                      • That is probably why I hear so often my child can not have Whooping Cough as I breastfeed the 8 year old and they are immune. If you use a bottle to feed an infant it is sterilised but I have seen women just lift a T Shirt and stick a breast in a child's mouth kind or reminds me of Little Britain where the Son of the Laird or whatever is constantly saying Bitty and demanding to be breast feed at 30 years of age or there abouts. You can go to far and some do. Also when animals are feeding their offspring and the offspring get sick their lick the feces so they get the infection and start to produce antibodies that will get transferred to the offspring Humans for some reason do not do that. Oh and above I was not talking about Breastfeeding in general just going overboard like some people do.
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                                                                      • Collin...you moron. It's the natural way. Better for babies.
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                                                                    • Sucking on something is perhaps the only instinctual behaviour that the child has. You fool around with Mother Nature and you'll get burned. I'm so glad your 3 kids were deprived of a little self induced soothing and you had the time to "not let the baby be hungry, wet, dirty, cold, hot, burped, cuddled, held, talk/sing whatever." I get the feeling that you're in a financial situation where you don't have to work and you have all the time in the world to look after the little tikes or else you're on welfare and that's how you get so much free time to look after all three kids needs. I'm sure it will do them a world of good when they try and entertain themselves in their later years when you're not around to cater to them every minute of every day.. You're right to suggest that 4 or 5 year olds shouldn't be using a dummy (but makes you feel disgusted? Who died and made you queen?) but they may be displaying some kind of missing need if they still use a dummy at that age. Try and remember that all kids are different and react differently to all kinds of stimulus. The same as parents. They're not your kids you're looking at and you have absolutely no idea what their parents situation is. This could be the very time to keep your opinions to yourself.
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                                                                      • I could use a pacifier sometimes...
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                                                                        • They should make adult ones for oh soooooooo many people.
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                                                                          • Especially the whinging that goes on here at times. Weak souls!
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                                                                        • Babies need to suck for soothing. (Think about it's name.... soother or pacifier... because they soothe and pacify a baby.) If it's not a pacifier/soother, it's a thumb or something that is much harder to stop than a pacifier. You can't just lose a thumb or forget it at home when its time for the toddler to give it up.
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                                                                          • They aren't all like that.
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                                                                        • I remember getting them and using them but it wasn't a constant thing. It was a comfort thing to go to sleep and if crying and they would spit them out later on. It never was a necessity.
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                                                                          • It's what it says it is, pacifies, if your baby sucks it's thumb it's the same thing, at least with a pacifier you can get pretty ones.
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                                                                            • hmmm, both mu kids had pacifiers/dummies. I breast fed and because my milk flowed to fast they didn't get the sucking time that is needed for healthy development. I tend to agree there is a time for them not to have one, that is individual choice
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                                                                              • Breast milk can be put into sterilised bottles.
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                                                                            • Since we are all individuals those that have the privilege of becoming parents can make up their own minds. I'm sure they could turn around and say they don't agree with some of your life choices given the chance I actually find some of your statements condescending hateful and plain ignorant as you have no knowledge of other people's situations.
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                                                                              • my son had one cannot remember when he stopped using it although he was not 3 or 4, however his twin sisters arrived when he was 17 months old so pleased he had his comforter, the twins would not take it however they found their thumbs, one had to have her teeth fixed hard to throw away a thumb although when I put stuff on her thumb she stopped her sister did not & washed her thumb. Probably they sucked their thumb in bed when I was not around, seeing little children with their thumbs in their mouth is not nice either at least with the dummy you have some control of when they use it I only used it for them to go to sleep it was a comfort for them & seem to help with colic.
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                                                                                • None of my 5 children took to a pacifier. I don't judge parents of children who use them , to each his own
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                                                                                  • Don't worry as a lot of adults spit the dummy quite a bit.
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                                                                                    • Most of them are parents.
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                                                                                  • Well I had a mom that told me not to use one for my son and I did not, The doctor did one time and I had to tell my mom it was the DOCTORthat used it. I never did, I do see that everyone has their own opinion so just take care of the kids and go from there, God Bless
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                                                                                    • It depends on the parents if they want to give it their kids
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                                                                                      • never had kids - no comment
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                                                                                        • I only gave one child a pacifier. For a short time it helped to give me peace, only when he was a few months old. I had four children. I think a child of two or three years old do not need a pacifier.
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                                                                                          • we never used them,they dont know what they are missing if you never give them one
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                                                                                            • I don't have kids and I myself am far too old for a pacifier
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                                                                                              • Both my grandchildren did not use one. As for my 1st born I did use it for only a few months.
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                                                                                                • It's your kid..so its up to you Do what you think is right for YOUR baby
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                                                                                                  • Sometimes as a last resort but agree with need for good hygiene.
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                                                                                                    • If you never give them a dummy, how will they learn how to spit one when they grow up…?
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                                                                                                    • I was one of those mothers ,determined my baby was never going to have one! Fast forward 3 months of endless sleepless nights and squawking, he wasn't one to take a bottle either and I was on my own with him !, so at wits end I wheeled him in to the chemist ,pulled one off the shelf and shoved it in his screaming mouth.. bliss for half an hour! Weaned him off aged 3 and half when the Easter bunny came and took them all away for him. All kids are different and nobody should judge!
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                                                                                                      • I have found that a hammer works rather well as a pacifier. Now don't get me wrong, I am talking about a rubber hammer not a carpenter's type hammer. A quick wack on the lug and they keep quiet for ages.
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                                                                                                        • I never considered a pacifier for my three children so they did not get into the habit of needing one. I had heard of the possibility of teeth problems and felt they were unhygienic (although kids do tend to take things off the floor anyhow). Some of my friends and my sister were all for using them so guess it all boils down to personal preference.
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                                                                                                          • It can for some.
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                                                                                                        • Don't have children, a friend little one has a pacifier but there using one that has 2- holes in it so cannot suck air in, and wing the child off pacifier earlier.
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                                                                                                          • My first son wanted something all the time, until he started spitting up because I was always giving him a bottle. So when the Dr. complained, he suggested giving a pacifier. That was a miracle, until it lasted only one day. So I had to pick him up & hold him all the time.
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                                                                                                            • My child has a lot of pacifiers that I bought for him in which he bites them all.
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                                                                                                              • My parents and we never used them. It was said, and I don't know if this is true, but if you do allow your child to use one long-term it can distort the gums and your child can end up with buck-teeth. If this is true then maybe they should not be used and most certainly no child over 1 year old should be allowed to do so. we always shudder when we see a child throw theirs on to the ground and Mum just bends downs, picks it up gives it a bit of a suck and then puts it back in the child's mouth. Heaven only knows what she is putting into her and her child's mouth!
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                                                                                                                • I never had kids because I can't stand a screaming child and wasn't prepared to take the risk. It would have been my luck to get one of those babies that cry constantly. You may think that's a selfish attitude but I wouldn't have had the experiences I have had if I had kids. In my opinion..... anything for a quiet kid - including giving them a dummy.
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                                                                                                                  • Same!
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                                                                                                                • some kids need them some don't. my girls both spat them out so never had them. if your child needs one then give them one if they don't like it don't. it is up to you and your child NOT what other people think.
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                                                                                                                  • My daughter had underdeveloped gums & the dentist recommended a pacifier to increase her bite. It did help alot/work & yes she was about 2yrs- 3yrs old.
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                                                                                                                    • never agreed with them
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                                                                                                                      • I agree with you. My parents never used the pacifier on us, I never used it on my four children. Mynephew was six when he was weaned off. When i baby sit him I never came him his pacific he was fine. His parents said it was the only way to keep him quiet
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                                                                                                                        • None of my kids ever used one.
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                                                                                                                          • Many people come on here talking crap. I do not believe what some people say. They think they are perfect. Just everyone is different and what is not good for many, it maybe good for others.
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                                                                                                                            • It's not about adults like yourself, it's about what best for the individual kids.
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                                                                                                                          • I once had my grandchildren come to stay, and put the three of them to bed - 2 went to sleep straight away but the third sobbed for hours. Eventually went to sleep when I cuddled him for a while. Next day my daughter said it was because he did not have his dummy. Neither of the others used one, but this one needed it for some reason. Turned out OK though - now just as strong and robust as his twin.
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                                                                                                                            • I didn't need one, I found my thumb. Same with my children. Did me no harm, nor my kids.
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                                                                                                                              • The thumb suckin is much worse.
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                                                                                                                            • I think they are disgusting.My 4 children and 7 grand children never had one or needed one.
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                                                                                                                              • Only parents need a pacifier. Babies do not come into the world looking for their pacifier. Parents who don't know how to parent or don't have the patients for parenting or lazy parents are the one the pacifier is designed for not the babies.
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                                                                                                                              • We were so poor we couldn’t afford such luxuries I had to suck my thumb
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                                                                                                                                • And you probably still do. Hahahahaha
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                                                                                                                              • I agree we had 7 children and we never had a pacifier at all. Another word for it is dummy and you have to be one if you bring up a child with a pacifier
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                                                                                                                                • While they are useful for a short period/need, I find that they were designed for lazy parents, and I see so many people using them/picking them up off of dirty surfaces and giving them back to the child.
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                                                                                                                                  • No more than 1 or 2 years.
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                                                                                                                                • I wish the neighbours used one on their kid, screams and screeches all day long.
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                                                                                                                                  • Poor you! Kids can be a pain and their ignorant parents.
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                                                                                                                                • no thank you
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                                                                                                                                  • Neither of my children liked them so it was an easy choice but I do think some parents use it as an easy fix
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                                                                                                                                    • Neither my children or my grandchildren had a pacifier.
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                                                                                                                                      • I thought they were called a Dummy?
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                                                                                                                                        • In Australia yes, in US a pacifier.
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                                                                                                                                      • NO. Disgusting germ carriers also endless orthodontist work down the track
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                                                                                                                                        • I have 6 kids & none had a pacifier & grew up great. I now have a great great granddaughter & she has one, but I guess I will not be around to see how she turns out.
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                                                                                                                                          • I remember my wife getting really angry with me when she got back into the car after shopping wondering where the baby came from, I didn't know what she was on about, I mean she asked me to change the baby while she was gone.......I bought my friend a pacifier when his first was born it was in an enclosed case that said in case of emergency break glass it lasted 1 hour before it was used, but we will not be using pacifiers, he said, each to their own i say
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                                                                                                                                            • Haha! Funny 😂
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                                                                                                                                          • Used them with my kids when they were younger, but it got removed more than stapled to their mouth....one preferred her finger, the other preferred engagement. Yes, we had to pay some dental fees later on. In today's lovely world, looking back there are things I would not repeat. Jokes: I've seen a dog with one and it's the most horrific (unsafe) thing I've ever seen🙄
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                                                                                                                                            • Some dogs definitely need them.
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                                                                                                                                          • Faulty Pacifiers are common and should nt be used as they were in the old days. A child in England choked on one when the rubber part got logged in his throat. He turned blue and died in his crib at 2.am
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                                                                                                                                            • No one has the right to judge anyone especially about how people should bring up kids. . When you are perfect then judge other people . The world would be a better place if everyone shut their mouth about other people , I had 4 kids, all had dummies. They are all married, their teeth are fine, no hangups, healthy, their kids had dummies. No bad teeth, happy and well adjusted .Now judge me. OMG all the wars and things happening to day and you worry about dummies/ pacifiers whatever you call them How spiteful and judgemental . Each to their own
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                                                                                                                                              • Judge not less ye be judged by God
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                                                                                                                                              • HERE WE GO, WORDS OF WISDOM ABOUT NOT JUDGEING PEOPLE AND THE BENEFITS OF NOT JUDGEING, AS YOU JUDGE OTHERS FOR JUDGEING. HYPOCRITICAL OR WHAT??? YEH, BERYL. SURE.
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                                                                                                                                            • Both my kids liked pacifiers till they out grew them around 2 years old
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                                                                                                                                              • I never had children so I can't give a good opinion. I also don't remember using mine as a child or baby.
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                                                                                                                                              • My parents never weaned me off of my pacifier. I had to do it myself as I grew up. Now I have a lisp because of it.
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                                                                                                                                                • i dont have any kids, i always thought it was normal, but i can see how its bad and if it could be avoided i guess avoided it
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                                                                                                                                                  • Each to their own with no judgement. There are other important things in life to focus on. Try to give other parents and their children some slack. You are not walking in their shoes.
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                                                                                                                                                    • pacifiers needed
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                                                                                                                                                      • Use a dummy..it calms them .I've had 3 children.bot and girl's..all mine used one.. eventually they forget about it...Iwjem my bku had a dummy he loved it a little too much.he was nearly 1& I kept pretending to throw it and I told him. The crows took it. I did that for bout a month.taking the dummy for a little longer every Time..til inw day he never asked for it back..he was my first child.k was 16/17yrs then..i knew NOTHIN but thought I knew EVERYTHING..lol..like we all do at that age..i had2more girls before I was 21.im 41 now.kids aren't kids my son24,22,18.they a W still My everything..prescious moments when they LITTLE
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                                                                                                                                                        • u want the baby to talk but instead shove a piece of plastic in the mouth
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                                                                                                                                                          • A child may need one for extra comfort. I do agree overtime it's not good for their teeth.
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                                                                                                                                                            • Each to their own. I had 3 children and mine never had one either and one was a premie baby. However, I have known bubs to really need one or they hug a rug or a special toy. I personally do not like them after about a year old. Some bubs like their bottles longer than others also. Each child is different and something will work for one and not the other. It is a learning curve for bubs and parents. Glad I left that school. lol
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                                                                                                                                                              • Pacifiers are to help babies get to sleep or when needed when you are out …. Not for 3-4 year olds that’s ridiculous…. Good for you if you were lucky to have children that settled well not all of us did ..
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