Search

Background: Pacifier use has been postulated to decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The responsible mechanisms are, however, unclear., Objectives: Since little is known about the non-nutritive sucking (NNS) habits of infants during sleep, we investigated NNS patterns and changes of physiological parameters during NNS in sleeping infants., Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed in 12 infants with a median age of 55 days (range 7-82) who regularly used a pacifier during sleep. Episodes of active suckling (bursts) and quiescent periods were differentiated by video observations. We evaluated the time of suckling in relation to the total time of pacifier use, the median number of bursts per min, the median duration of single bursts and the median interval between 2 sequent bursts. In 48 randomly selected bursts, we additionally analyzed changes in heart rate, respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation compared to the 10-second period preceding the burst., Results: Median sleep time with a pacifier held in mouth was 31.3 min (13.0-117.6), of which 15.5% (6.4-36.7%) was spent with active suckling. The median number of bursts per min was 2.2 (1.2-4.5). The median duration of a burst was 3 s (1-22) and the median interval between 2 bursts was 10 s (1-1,434). Heart rate, respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation did not change significantly during suckling bursts., Conclusions: This pilot study presents important data for sucking habits in pacifier users which may provide a basis for further investigations concerning the efficacy of pacifiers in SIDS prophylaxis., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: It has been reported that pacifiers might reduce the risk of SIDS by favouring infants' arousability from sleep. We evaluated the influence of a pacifier on the frequency and duration of spontaneous arousals in healthy infants., Methods: Polygraphic recordings were performed in 14 infants with an age of 51.7+/-19.9 days (means+/-SD) who regularly used a pacifier during sleep. Cortical and subcortical arousals were scored according to the recommendations of the "International Paediatric Work Group on Arousals." The number of arousals per 10-min-period and the duration of arousals were determined for periods of pacifier use as well as for periods after pacifier dislodgement and were compared with the data of 10 control infants (age 49.8+/-16.5 days) who never used a pacifier., Results: Altogether, 211 arousals in pacifier users and 225 arousals in non-users were scored. In pacifier users, 2.0+/-1.6 arousals per 10-min-period with a duration of 12.2+/-3.0 s occurred during pacifier use, and 1.7+/-1.6 arousals per 10-min-period with a duration of 12.2+/-3.1s occurred during periods without pacifier. In pacifier non-users, 2.3+/-1.2 arousals per 10-min-period (duration 13.9+/-2.9s) were scored. The results did not show a significant difference concerning frequency and duration of spontaneous arousals between pacifier users and non-users., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that factors other than arousal mechanisms might be responsible for the efficacy of pacifiers in SIDS prophylaxis.

Aim: To find out the reasons for mothers to either use or not use a pacifier and to find out the mother's reasons for changing their mind., Method: We analysed the data of 174 mother-infant pairs by means of a semistructured questionnaire performed shortly after birth, and at the age of 7 weeks and 5 months, respectively., Results: The main reason for mothers primarily refusing a pacifier was their concern about malformation of the teeth or jaw. Until the end of the fifth month, 31% of the mothers changed their mind about pacifier use. Mothers primarily refusing a pacifier introduced a pacifier due to the need of soothing the infant. Mothers, who initially intended to use a pacifier, changed their mind due to rejection by the infant. The prevalence of pacifier use at the age of 5 months was 78%. The majority of mothers (69%) introduced the pacifier during the first week of life., Conclusion: About one third of mothers had changed their mind about pacifier use, either because of rejection by the infant or the need of settling. Breastfeeding mothers require more and better information concerning the appropriate time of pacifier onset.