Pacifiers Linked with Breastfeeding Problems

Many doctors of chiropractic suggest that parents refrain from giving their infants pacifiers because they may interfere with  TMJ (temporomandibular joint) function. Now a new study highlights another possible adverse effect of pacifiers: breast-feeding problems. 

A total of 281 breast-feeding mothers were divided into two cohorts. Half of the women were instructed to avoid pacifier use, while half were not counseled about pacifiers. Altogether, 258 women completed the 3-month study.  "We found a strong observational association between pacifier use and early weaning. No such association was observed, however, when our data were analyzed by randomized allocation, strongly suggesting that pacifier use is a marker of breast-feeding difficulties or reduced motivation to breastfeed, rather than a true cause of early weaning," wrote researchers.

Kramer MS, Barr RG, Dagenais S, Yang H, Jones P, Ciofani L, Jane F   Pacifier use, early weaning, and cry/fuss behavior: a randomized controlled trial   JAMA 2001 (Jul 18);   286 (3):   322-326

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