Dear Susan:  I don't believe the studies looking at the harmful effects
of early pacifier use distinguished between types of pacifiers used.
There is no reason to suppose that the NUK would be any less likely to
cause problems.  In addition, it's not merely the differences in the type
of nipple (and there's no good data I know of that show that the NUK-type
is really better), but also that every time the baby uses the pacifier,
he's not at the breast, thereby reducing mother's milk supply.  I think
including any pacifier in a newborn layette, especially from a prenatal
class, sends the message that pacifiers are OK to use, which I believe is
not a positive message.  Alicia.  [log in to unmask]