Dr. Lauren Crosby is a nationally-recognized parenting expert and pediatrician. After graduating from Smith College and the UCLA School of Medicine, she trained at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center during which time she served as Chief Resident. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and an Official Spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is a Pediatric Expert for television news, serves on the Board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is a medical reviewer for What to Expect, and is a Founding Member of Hope in A Suitcase. She is currently in practice at La Peer Pediatrics as well as the mother of two sons.
Babies are born with an inherent need to suck—the sucking reflex. Pacifiers do a great job of satisfying that need (and can even give a breastfeeding mom’s nipples a break) while also soothing a baby, especially during times when they’re upset or falling asleep. It has also been shown that using a pacifier can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Not all babies take to pacis, but those who do can really benefit from their simple magic.
Pacifier weaning is a struggle for toddlers and parents. Make the transition easier with tips to know exactly when to take away pacifier.