Should you give your baby a pacifier? What science says about the benefits, hidden risks of using them and what parents need to know

Pacifiers can comfort babies and potentially lower SIDS risk. Non-nutritive sucking aids premature babies in feeding and hospital discharge. Prolonged pacifier use after eighteen months may affect dental development. Frequent use after one year can increase middle ear infection risks. Parents should consider their baby's needs when deciding on pacifier use.