I believe it was Linda Smith who once mentioned that the negative pressure
created by sucking on a pacifier (which has no air or milk coming through)
can actually deform the upper palate, leading to breathing problems and
dentition alteration.  I questioned a dentist on this, and he said it could
easily happen.  Sorry, I don't have references.

Michelle Bentley, BEd, LLL, CLE

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeanette Panchula" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 11:39 PM
Subject: Infant sucking needs
However, she brought up a point that I have been thinking about...she
asked: If we say that baby's needs for breastfeeding do not end at a
particular age (i.e. 12 months) or for a particular length of time (i.e.
feed only for 10 minutes per side, etc.) then, are we not giving incorrect
information to bottle feeding mothers also?  Why should pacifiers be
removed from baby's mouth at 12 months - or even 2 or 3 years?  Don't
bottle-feeding children have sucking needs also that cannot be met on an
empty bottle?  Don't babies need to suck - whether at breast or bottle?
.... should there not be a way to help them to develop optimally - including
offering them the
opportunity to suck until they outgrow the need? ...
Jeanette Panchula, BSW, RN, PHN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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