Sucking a Pacifier Affects Speech Development

A pacifier may save a lot of problems without being detrimental to your baby’s health and development if used reasonably. The study of babies in Patagonia, Chile, showed babies sucking a pacifier or their fingers past the age of three were three times more likely to have speech development problems.

In their research held in Patagonia, Chile, scientists were looking at how sucking a pacifier or fingers affects speech development. The study involved 128 babies aged between three to five years. They found babies using a pacifier or sucking their fingers past the age of three were more likely to have difficulties in pronouncing certain sounds. The study was published last Wednesday in BMC Pediatrics.

According to a study by the University of Washington, US, the babies who were not bottle-fed, at least, before the age of nine months had lower risk of developing speech defects. Babies sucking their fingers or a pacifier past the age of three years were three times more likely to develop speech problems.

Scientists showed earlier that extended use of a pacifier or sucking fingers affects the anatomy of mouth, jaws and teeth, while breastfeeding helps develop coordinated breathing, swallowing and speech articulation.

Source of the image: sxc.hu/profile/fnavarro.