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Pacifier or Thumb?

By Joanna Savarese

You've vowed never to pop a pacifier in your baby's mouth, and you plan to keep his thumb out of there too. But sucking can help your baby feel secure  -- and give you some peace. You can't control which self-soother your baby chooses, but it's good to know the pros and cons of each  -- especially when you want him to stop.


Thumb

Pros

• You don't have to worry about losing it.

• It's free.

• Keep your baby's hands clean, and you won't have to worry about germ buildup.

Cons

• You have no control over when, where, or how often your child sucks it. ? You won't be able to take it away when you're ready for him to stop, and, in some cases, it can become a habit.

• A child who's still sucking his thumb after 24 months may throw off his teeth and jaw alignment  -- and need expensive braces down the road.


Pacifier

Pros

• It's not all that expensive.

• Using a pacifier frees your baby's hands and fingers, so he can explore his world.

• It's easier to break the habit.

Cons

• If your child sleeps with his pacifier and loses it during the night, you'll have to get it for him.

• It gets dirty easily and can harbor bacteria that'll make you want to throw it out.

• A child who uses a pacifier after 24 months may throw off his teeth and jaw alignment and need braces down the road.

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