甄穎：你不可不知的安撫奶嘴說
甄小美常常使用安撫奶嘴，婆婆又給我們寄來一大箱東西，其中有六個6個月以上寶寶使用的安撫奶嘴。我們寫信請她買兩個，可她說：“每個都那麼漂亮，那麼可愛，我就都買下來瞭!”安撫奶嘴在國外的寶寶中非常普遍，但是在中國還算是比較新鮮，很多中國父母，尤其是爺爺奶奶輩，不能接受安撫奶嘴。我們帶甄小美出去散步，還遇到過老人家當面指責我們。我認為隻是大家的觀念不同而已。
我仔細做瞭research，結果讓我放心：
Pacifiers: Are they good for your baby?
安撫奶嘴：對你的寶寶好嗎?
For many parents, pacifiers are must-have baby gear. Here are the pros and cons, plus pacifier do's and don'ts.
Babies are born wanting to suck. Some even suck their thumbs or fingers before they're born. Beyond nutrition, sucking is often an important method of self-soothing — a comforting, familiar and calming mechanism in a new world.
寶寶們天生需要吸吮。很多寶寶在胎兒階段就在子宮裡吸吮他們的大拇指瞭。除瞭營養以外，吸吮是寶寶們另一項非常重要的自我安撫的手段 – 是寶寶與生俱來的機制，可以讓他們在這個全新世界裡通過熟悉的方式讓自己平靜下來。
That's why many parents rank pacifiers as must haves, right up there with diaper wipes and baby monitors. But are pacifiers really OK for your baby? Although the answer to that question is often debated, the American Academy of Pediatrics gives pacifiers the green light throughout baby's first year.
…盡管關於安撫奶嘴的爭論比較激烈，但是美國兒科學會已經對安撫奶嘴開瞭“綠燈”。
The pros 正面作用
For some babies, pacifiers are the key to contentment between feedings. Consider the advantages:
§A pacifier may soothe a fussy baby. 安撫奶嘴讓焦躁的寶寶平靜下來 Some babies are happiest when they're sucking on something.
§A pacifier offers temporary distraction. 安撫奶嘴能夠暫時分散寶寶的註意力 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. 安撫奶嘴有助於寶寶睡眠 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). 安撫奶嘴能夠有效減少嬰兒猝死 Researchers have found an association between pacifier use during sleep and a reduced risk of SIDS.
§Pacifiers are disposable. 安撫奶嘴是可丟棄的 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 負面作用
Of course, pacifiers have pitfalls as well. Consider the drawbacks:
Early pacifier use may interfere with breast-feeding. 太早使用安撫奶嘴可能影響哺乳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. (甄小美從1個多月開始使用安撫奶嘴)
Your baby may become dependent on the pacifier. 寶寶可能會對安撫奶嘴產生依賴 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. 安撫奶嘴有可能提高患中耳炎的幾率 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. 但是0到6個月寶寶患中耳炎的幾率是最低的，而這個年齡的寶寶嬰兒猝死的幾率卻是最高。
Prolonged pacifier use may lead to dental problems. 過長使用安撫奶嘴有可能導致牙齒問題 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. 哺乳穩定後再使用安撫奶嘴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. 讓寶寶來決定 If your baby's not interested in the pacifier, try again later — or skip it entirely. Don't force the issue. 如果寶寶不喜歡安撫奶嘴，可以過一段時間再試試，(甄小美不喜歡我們第一次買的大拇指形狀的安撫奶嘴，但是馬上喜歡上瞭後來買的圓柱形的安撫奶嘴)
Choose the one-piece, dishwasher-safe variety. 選擇全體密封性、可洗滌的安撫奶嘴 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 準備多餘的安撫奶嘴以替換. Once you've settled on a favorite pacifier, keep a few identical backups on hand. Many babies refuse a substitute pacifier.
Keep it clean 保持安撫奶嘴清潔. 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. 每日用用等量白醋和水浸泡安撫奶嘴幾分鐘，然後讓安撫奶嘴自然晾幹。不要用自己的嘴“洗”安撫奶嘴。(除瞭每隔幾天把安撫奶嘴煮一煮，如果在外面掉在地上，我們就是用自己的嘴“洗”，沒辦法)
Watch for signs of deterioration 不要用損壞的安撫奶嘴. Replace pacifiers often. A worn or cracked nipple can tear off and pose a choking hazard.
Use caution with pacifier clips 使用安全的安撫奶嘴鏈/繩. Never use a string or strap long enough to get caught around your baby's neck.
Let sleeping babies lie 如果安撫奶嘴從睡著的寶寶嘴裡掉出來，不要再放回去. 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 嘗試用別的辦法安慰寶寶. 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 知道什麼時候停止. 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. 絕大部分寶寶在2歲到4歲之間會自行停止使用安撫奶嘴
The bottom line 底線
The decision to use a pacifier — or not — is up to you. Let go of any guilt or pressure as you learn what works best for your baby 到底用不用安撫奶嘴 – 完全取決於你自己。
一個法國朋友告訴我，法國一些爸爸媽媽到寶寶三歲生日那天會告訴他/她：安撫奶嘴仙女今天晚上要來把你的安撫奶嘴收回去瞭，因為從今天開始，你就是個大孩子瞭，不需要安撫奶嘴瞭。
甄小美快2歲時，停止使用安撫奶嘴。我們把她的安撫奶嘴“扔”進瞭大海裡，“送”給瞭海裡的魚寶寶們。她很明白自己是大孩子，不再需要安撫奶嘴，會說“binki, fish!”
因為她的飲食很健康，而且養成瞭刷牙的習慣，所以牙齒非常好。三歲多帶她去第一次看牙醫，做牙齒檢查，牙醫稱贊她的牙齒：“這麼小的孩子，牙齒這麼好，現在比較少見。”。
安撫奶嘴的主要功能是滿足孩子的“口唇撫慰”-- 這是哺乳動物的天性。有些孩子雖然不用安撫奶嘴，但會通過其他方式，比如吸吮手指、咬棉佈、指甲等，獲得同樣的安撫。有些父母把安撫奶嘴當作“萬能安撫物”，結果讓孩子形成嚴重依賴。
畢竟，孩子最大最好的安撫，來自媽媽。
專家檔案 專家姓名 甄穎 職稱 作家 作品 《和小美在一起》 博客地址 http://blog.sina.com.cn/zhenhaitong 博客鏈接 http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_53cb2b850102dugc.html 註：表格由太平洋親子網制作
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