Parent Life

Pacifiers
So many rumors... So many mysteries
Heres a small compilation of information that I have read and found very informative.

Are pacifiers good or bad? You decide!

The Pros

A way to soothe- The amount of time an infant spends crying increases from birth until about 6 weeks, when a baby cries for an average of three hours a day. “That’s a lot of crying stress,” says Cynthia R. Howard, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York. Sucking undoubtedly helps calm a baby, she adds, which is why pacifiers are so popular. According to a 1999 study by Howard published in Pediatrics, approximately 75 percent of babies are given pacifiers to suck.

Health benefits- The only proven medical benefits linked to pacifiers have been seen in preterm babies. Preemies who suck on binkies gain weight faster, according to a 1992 study published in the Swedish journal Acta Pediatrica. Other research has found that preemies who use pacifiers shortly after birth show earlier sucking patterns and experience fewer health complications. “Sucking promotes oral-muscle function and muscle development,” says Nina L. Shapiro, M.D., assistant professor of pediatric otolaryngology at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine.

Reduced risk of SIDS- Pacifiers are associated with a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), according to four recent studies. But since a cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven, researchers aren’t sure how, or even if, pacifiers prevent SIDS. In the meantime, the SIDS Alliance refrains from recommending their use.

For some babies, pacifiers are the key to contentment between feedings. Consider the advantages:

A pacifier may soothe a fussy baby. Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something.
A pacifier offers temporary distraction. When your baby's hungry, a pacifier may buy you a few minutes to find a comfortable spot to nurse or to prepare a bottle. A pacifier also may come in handy during shots, blood tests or other procedures.
A pacifier may help your baby go to sleep. If your baby has trouble settling down, a pacifier might do the trick.
Pacifiers may help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers have found an association between pacifier use during sleep and a reduced risk of SIDS.
Pacifiers are disposable. When it's time to stop using pacifiers, you can throw them away. If your baby prefers to suck on his or her thumb or fingers, it may be more difficult to break the habit.

The cons

Of course, pacifiers have pitfalls as well. Consider the drawbacks:

Early pacifier use may interfere with breast-feeding. Sucking on a breast is different from sucking on a pacifier or bottle. Some babies have trouble learning how to nurse properly if they're given a pacifier too soon.
Your baby may become dependent on the pacifier. If your baby uses a pacifier to sleep, you may face frequent middle-of-the-night crying spells when the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth.
Pacifier use may increase the risk of middle ear infections. However, rates of middle ear infections are generally lowest from birth to age 6 months — when the risk of SIDS is the highest and your baby may be most interested in a pacifier.
Prolonged pacifier use may lead to dental problems. Normal pacifier use during the first few years of life doesn't cause long-term dental problems. If your child continues to use a pacifier persistently, however, his or her top front teeth may slant out or the upper and lower jaws may be misaligned.
Pacifier do's and don'ts

If you choose to offer your baby a pacifier, keep these tips in mind.

Wait until breast-feeding is well established. Be patient. It may take a few weeks or more to settle into a regular nursing routine. If you're breast-feeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to introduce a pacifier until your baby is 1 month old.
Let your baby set the pace. If your baby's not interested in the pacifier, try again later — or skip it entirely. Don't force the issue.
Choose the one-piece, dishwasher-safe variety. Pacifiers made of two pieces pose a choking hazard if they break. The shape and firmness is up to you — or your baby.
Buy extras. Once you've settled on a favorite pacifier, keep a few identical backups on hand. Many babies refuse a substitute pacifier.
Keep it clean. Before you use a new pacifier, wash it with soap and water. To keep fungus at bay, soak your baby's pacifier in equal parts white vinegar and water for a few minutes a day. Allow the pacifier to air dry thoroughly before returning it to your baby. Resist the temptation to "rinse" the pacifier in your own mouth. You'll only spread more germs to your baby.
Watch for signs of deterioration. Replace pacifiers often. A worn or cracked nipple can tear off and pose a choking hazard.
Use caution with pacifier clips. Never use a string or strap long enough to get caught around your baby's neck.
Let sleeping babies lie. If the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth while he or she is sleeping, don't pop it back in.
Try other ways to calm your baby. Don't use a pacifier as a first line of defense. Sometimes a change of position or a rocking session may be all that's needed. If your baby is hungry, offer the breast or a bottle.
Know when to pull the plug. Most kids stop using pacifiers on their own between ages 2 and 4. If you're concerned about your child's pacifier use, consult his or her doctor for suggestions.
Just Saying No
When it comes to diminishing a child's pacifier attachment, Dr. Black says providing encouragement and a sense of independence for children is most effective. "Let's give children the decision to stop using a pacifier, just like you may give them the choice to wear the blue shirt, green shirt or yellow shirt when they are learning to dress themselves," he says. "You always want to use positive language to help build a child's self-esteem, and you don't want to have a negative effect by saying things like, 'You don't want to be a little baby with a pacifier do you?' This gives children the wrong connotation and they may think that when they were babies, you loved them more. If we want them to feel confident about growing up, we need to teach them the decision-making process. We must help them grow up by themselves."
For many parents, helping their children realize they no longer need the comfort of a pacifier can be the most difficult stage of the weaning process. Although Dr. Black does not pinpoint a certain age at which a child should stop using a pacifier, he does warn of the sociological issues that are often involved. "If a child is over the age of 1 1/2 to 2 years, using a pacifier in public can carry with it a negative impact," he says. "We don't know why people have such negative feelings about older children with pacifiers, but it is an issue that can be brought up by other family members or even complete strangers. In that case, it's never good to negatively confront an individual who has reacted in some way in front of your child. You can approach the situation with your child by saying, 'Some people won't like you using your pacifier in public, so maybe we can try to go out without it.' This allows the child to stop using a pacifier by method of trial and error. It's not always scientific; it's about decisions."

Sources:
http://www.toddlerstoday.com/resources/articles/pacify.htm
http://www.ohiohealth.com/bodybirth.cfm?id=2950
http://www.fitpregnancy.com/yourbaby/216
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacifiers/PR00067

I have a lot more stuff I wanted to share but, I figured I'd cut it short.
I'm goin g to put together a post of the most popular pacifier brands.

Ethan update!

Well, we haven't had a good detailed Ethan update in awhile so, I figured it was a good time.

Two teeth on the top on coming in. So very close to breaking the skin.
He has another ear infection(3rd)
He is on Anti-biotics for it.
He still has a sinusy type infection.

Shout out to Entrecard

Entrecard is a Blog Networking site that I am pretty active in. My entrecard profile.
Recently the site has been going through some tough times with their servers and the load times. I have been baring with them and the guys [Phirate] and [Graham] have been doing a tremendous job at being admins and fixing the problems. I can honestly say this is the first site I have EVER been on where the admins openly and publicly explain what the problem is, how their going to fix it, what they had to go through to fix it and how real they are. They actually comment on the forums and give their opinions to such topics as duplicate web sites and competition. I love the atmosphere and great place Entrecard is.

Also this is my twentieth post!! :D

As you know wednesday was my birthday. I turned 18. I know I know I haven't updated my stuff but, thats all on my list of things to do.

So, late late wednesday night I followed through with my plans of getting a tattoo.
We had Ethans footprints from when he was in the hospital printed in a baby book so, I decided (from Nikki's original idea) to get his footprint, name, and birth date. I originally wanted it on my chest but, I'm so tiny there wouldn't be enough room for the 2897987 kids were going to have :D ("Oh whatever andy" [Nikki]) Heres a pic of it being done:

And this is the finished product:

The tattoo artist's reply to my question of how bad is this going to hurt was...
"Depends on your pain tolerance. I see people with smaller tattoos that run crying and some people with bigger tattoos think it tickles."
Not to be a hard~~ass~~ But, I was expecting excruciating pain seeing as I am a total wimp but, it felt a lot like someone was writing on my back with a ball point pen really hard.

The cute stuff

Yesterday Nikki, Brittany, Ethan and Brieanne all went to the park. Unfortunately I was at work so, I missed out on all the fun.
Heres a couple of really cute pictures from their fun-day.