Quote:
Originally Posted by cristeen 
Most societies in the world don't have them and get by just fine.
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Really? Most? Cause I've lived a lot of places with my kids and we currently live in a rather global community (over 90 different nationalities) and so far, pacifiers seem to be considered not only normal but
vital to the newborn parenting arsenal. The only people I have spoken to who don't use pacifiers are from tribal communities and even they stll use other forms of substitute nipples for sucking comfort, not to mention other methods of pacifying babies that would certainly raise eyebrows amongst most westerners to say the least...I don't get this arguement at all.
I didn't introduce one until I watched my son writhe and cry in frustration from wanting to suck and not being able to, and he just couldn't keep his fingers in his mouth, if he could even get them there to begin with. His latch was good and my supply was solid, but if he sucked my milk came down, and fast. I did worry about the chemicals in the plastics, but found a good local brand in Argentina that was natural rubber and he loved it better than anything else I could offer.
He also spat it out one day at about six months, and never looked back.
That's just my experience. I don't think they are necessary, but they can be a very good source of comfort to a baby who just wants to soothe themselves but can't quite manage yet. I think you have to follow your baby's cues.