Your baby's natural need to suck has two purposes:

nourishment and comfort.

Your child may suck his/her thumb, finger or a pacifier.  You can limit sucking on a pacifier more easily than thumb or finger sucking.

Sucking after the permanent teeth have started to erupt may cause problems in your child's tooth development.

Below are some suggestions for the use of a pacifier:

• Choose a pacifier to aid in proper dental development
• Keep the clip-on ribbon short (should not be long enough to wrap around baby's neck)
• Wash the pacifier before the first use
• Check the condition of the pacifier often - if it becomes cracked, torn or sticky, replace it
• Do not dip in honey, sugar or any other sweetener
• Do not moisten or clean the pacifier in your own mouth as germs may be transferred to the child

For more information call 625-5984.