Pacifiers may double chances of ear infections

Ear infections are the most frequent medical diagnosis for kids six and under. Blame may go to a popular children’s accessory.

Three-year-old Isabella doesn’t like to be without her favorite pacifier. So the ‘fish pacci’ is always close at hand.

“They make me feel better,” said Isabella.

That may be true, but in at least one respect, pacifiers may be making a lot of kids feel worse.

According to a new study of nearly 500 babies, researchers in the Netherlands found that children who use a pacifier are twice as likely to suffer from ear infections.

Why?

Pediatrician Phillip Weiss said, “Possibly the pressure in the Eustachian tube runs from the middle of the ear to the throat, by sucking in throughout longer periods actually can cause pressure to either suck germs into the middle ear space, or prevent them from normally draining which they do.”

Isabella, who has plenty of pacifiers, has also had an ear infection.

Doctors say this new information has to be measured against the benefits some parents say they get from a pacifier.

Weiss said, “Worst case scenario, even if your child does get a few more ear infections, if the positive effect you’re getting from the pacifier if you feel your child is really a calmer baby with a pacifier, you need to just make your decision to use it.”

Dentists have also expressed concerns about heavy pacifier use, because they have been linked to dental problems in young children.