Reasons To Use A Pacifier

Reasons to use a pacifier

I recently asked my Instagram followers to send in their reasons for using a pacifier, and they certainly delivered! Here is everything they came up with:

(Some of these things may be triggering topics, as they involve mental health and various disorders. Read at your own discretion.)

Mental

to ease anxiety

to avoid the urge to using negative coping skills

to cope with the mental effects of getting bullied

to calm down

to help feel “smaller”

to have the comfort one missed out on as a child

to soothe and distract from panic attacks

to help with separation anxiety

to help focus on work

to feel cute

because of the happiness it brings

to help with the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

to help with the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

to help with the effects of overstimulation due to Autism Spectrum Disorder

to prevent and ease tics due to Tourette’s Syndrome 

something to focus on instead of hallucinations 

to feel safe and relaxed

to calm down after a meltdown or breakdown

to cope with trauma

to enjoy the feeling

Physical

to ease the effects of teeth grinding

prevent nail biting

an alternative to chewing on other objects

to fall asleep

to distract from skin picking

to help prevent chewing the insides of cheeks and lips

to prevent thumb sucking

to prevent hand chewing

because they are nice to look at

to healthily oral self stimulate

to give one’s mouth “something to do,” as needed with an oral fixation

liking the back and forth motion

to keep breathing steady

to help prevent binge eating

to not talk as much

to help avoid smoking cigarettes

to prevent snoring

to ease the pain from a tight retainer

to prevent painfully biting down on one’s teeth

to ease gum pain

to help with Pica

to help with wisdom teeth (the person did not specify what exactly, but I’m assuming they mean pain)

I hope you all learned a few things by reading this list! I certainly did. Please feel free to share this list with anyone, including those who may not understand why you use (or want to use) one. The benefits are wonderful, and it’s great hearing how helpful they are to everyone <3

Things our carers need to hear from us.

Great job, I’m so proud of you!

You make me so happy!

Mine!

Thank you for drinking lots of water today.

Thank you for eating properly!

Yay! You got a decent night’s sleep!

You’re a wonderful person and I love you.

Thank you for taking good care of yourself for me.

You’re very important to me.

You look so beautiful/handsome when you smile. Please do it more!

I love you

You’re my favorite person.

I’ve got your back, you can do this!

I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.

I’m here if you need me.

You’re doing a great job, look at all you’ve accomplished!

You are not alone.

Let me help you with this.

Feels like me everyday. But I guess I have to do what I have to do.

You don’t need a reason to be little, sweetie. You don’t need an ‘excuse’ for something that’s so special and good.