The soother is a simulator accessory to a nipple is made of rubber, plastic, silicone, or the combination of these, and is given to the baby to calm it, as we know it today its first appearance was in the first decades of the 20th century.
It is necessary? Physiologically and evolutionarily, there is no need for a soother. It does not contribute anything to the normal development of the newborn. After prolonged use in the dentition it causes distortions in the development of the jaws and teeth, making it impossible to close properly that cannot be fixed in the future, causing difficulties that interfere with speech, which sometimes require the help of a therapist for its repair. In short, overuse and prolonged use will only cause problems.
But why use it? Some believe that it is used as an oral substitute to cope with the frustration experienced by babies in everyday life. Initially the newborn clings to his mother to find protection and comfort, but when he has grown up is the key to independence is separated from his mother, and there is not always the possibility of comfort in his arms; Therefore, in times when he needed comfort or tranquility, he would often give himself a soft object or suck a soother or a finger as an alternative. This argument is partly hypothetical because in stages of pregnancy, fetuses have been observed in ultrasound images to suck the finger, it may need or is a physiological or developmental development of this situation or that it experiences its body and develops the senses. But there is no scientific evidence about it. And it is mainly used to calm the baby
Will soother use interfere with breastfeeding? Yes. The action of breastfeeding requires an enormous effort to use the mandible of the newborn that is less developed and must operate during the breastfeeding that requires for that to bring the lower jaw forward and encourage the proper development of it during the first few months, the need to press the nipple with the gums and tongue for breastfeeding and ingestion is an activity that requires great skill that takes time to acquire, soother use is not recommended until 6 weeks because the soother does not require any skill or force, therefore, the suckling in breastfeeding can confuse the baby to a great extent, that finally, breastfeeding will not be effective and will not provide enough milk for the correct development of the baby.
What about premature babies? The usual recommendation is to give a soother to help strengthen and develop the muscles of the premature baby.
Removing the soother as soon as possible to avoid damage to the development of the teeth and jaws, which will lead to several times more serious rehabilitation, it is advisable to gradually remove it during the first year.
Studies on the phenomenon of sudden death have shown that babies sucking a soother reduces the risk of death (babies who suckle also suffered sudden death in a lower percentage) we still do not know what is the reason for this tragic phenomenon and how to prevent it, (may be regional faults in the pharynx causing the tongue to block the passage of air like in adults in stop breathing during sleep but these is my only opinion ), the Ministry of Health recommends the use of a soother until the age of one year to reduce the risk of sudden death.
The different types of soothers: We a dentist recommend orthodontic soothers that prevent damage to the jaws and teeth, but if the withdrawal will be at an early age, as recommended at the age of one year, no matter what to buy, but the most babies suck at least until the age of two and three, and some beyond this age, and the damage is already irreversible. Therefore, it is better orthodontic soothers, which during the suckling are widened inside the palate and of course that prolonged use for many hours a day or during the whole sleep is not recommended at all
