Looking for reasons to feel good about using a pacifier? You’re in the right place.

Pacifiers are more than just a quick fix for fussiness—they offer real, research-backed health benefits that can make a big difference in your newborn’s development and well-being.

Whether you're still building your baby registry or wondering if pacifiers are the right choice for your little one, here are five powerful reasons to consider introducing one—especially in the first six months of life.

1. Pacifiers Reduce the Risk of SIDS

This one’s big.

According to both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American SIDS Institute, using a pacifier during naps and bedtime can significantly lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

While the exact reason isn’t fully understood, experts believe the pacifier may help keep the airway open and encourage lighter, safer sleep cycles.

Translation: A simple pacifier can play a meaningful role in safe sleep—especially during the most vulnerable months.

2. Pacifier Use Can Help Babies Go Home Sooner

In NICUs, pacifiers aren’t just comforting—they’re used as a clinical tool. Studies show that non-nutritive sucking (i.e. using a pacifier) helps babies improve their digestion, coordinate sucking with swallowing, and transition more easily to bottle feeding.

That means better feeding efficiency, faster weight gain, and often—a shorter hospital stay.

If your baby arrives early or needs NICU support, a pacifier could help them come home faster.

3. Pacifiers Provide Natural Pain Relief

Did you know that pacifiers are often used to ease pain during minor procedures or immunizations?

The natural sucking reflex has been shown to calm the nervous system and reduce stress responses in infants. Combined with sucrose (sugar water), pacifiers are recommended by pediatricians as an effective, non-pharmaceutical way to relieve discomfort.

A simple tool. A powerful comfort.

4. Pacifiers Help Lower Cortisol and Improve Digestion

Pacifier use activates your baby’s parasympathetic nervous system—aka the “rest and digest” mode.

This triggers:

• A drop in cortisol (the stress hormone)

• Increased saliva production (which helps digest milk)

• Improved blood flow to the digestive tract

• Slower heart rate and energy conservation

All of which support better digestion, nutrient absorption, and ultimately, healthy weight gain.

Pacifiers don’t just comfort your baby—they support their entire system.

5. They Offer Emotional and Sensory Regulation

The world is brand new (and overwhelming!) for newborns. The act of sucking offers sensory comfort, emotional grounding, and a predictable way for babies to self-regulate during transitions, sleep, and periods of overstimulation.

Think of pacifiers as a tool—not just for soothing, but for supporting your baby’s emotional development in those early months.

So… Are Pacifiers Safe for Newborns?

Yes—especially when used safely and intentionally.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends pacifier use in the first 6 months, not just for soothing—but for the long list of physical and emotional health benefits they provide.

And while concerns about dental development and weaning are valid, those risks are associated with extended use beyond infancy—not early use during the critical newborn stage.

The Bottom Line

Up to 85% of babies use a pacifier.
And for good reason.

With benefits like SIDS reduction, pain relief, shorter hospital stays, lower stress, and improved digestion, it’s clear that pacifiers aren’t just about calming fussiness—they’re about supporting your baby’s health and development in real, meaningful ways.

As with anything in parenting, the choice to introduce a pacifier is personal. But when used wisely—especially during the first 6 months—it can be one of the most beneficial tools in your newborn care toolkit.

Looking for a safer, smarter pacifier?
Explore the Soothe Beginnings Starter Kit, designed with medical-grade materials, PFAS testing, and a reusable, keepsake-quality shield.

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