There has been some discussion recently about the use of artificial nipples
and pacifiers and their effect on breastfeeding. One of the better references
on this topic is the book by Lynn Wolf and Robin Glass: Feeding and
Swallowing Disorders in Infancy. Therapy Skill Builders, Tucson, Arizona,
1992. They mention that the use of the NUK pacifier can have the effect of
suppressing the central groove or cupping of the tongue. Obviously this can
have effects on the sucking characteristics of the breastfeeding baby.

There have been a few studies done where ultrasound has looked at the sucking
mechanics of babies on various nipples. These give us a clue as to what is
actually happening inside the mouth. Using a pacifier to teach a baby to
breastfeed, plug him up, extend the interval between feedings, etc can have
repercussions in some babies. Too bad we can't predict ahead of time which
ones these will be. We have markers that let us know a baby is at a higher
risk for sucking difficulties, but convincing people about the problems
associated with pacifier use remains difficult. Parents are highly affected
by the type of advertising that accompanies this product. Letters to the
editor of the magazines and journals that carry this advertising can
sometimes be effective in either changing the false claims or getting the ads
removed permanently.