Effect of breast- and bottle-feeding duration on the age of pacifier use persistence

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of breast-and bottle-feeding duration on the age of pacifier use persistence. Questionnaires (n = 723) with information on nutritive and nonnutritive sucking habits of children aged 3-6 years were assessed. The sample was divided according to breastfeeding duration: G1 -non-breastfed, G2 -up to 3 months, G3 -discontinued between 4 and 6 months, G4 -discontinued between 7 and 12 months, and G5 -longer than 12 months. The children were also assigned to 4 groups by age of pacifier use persistence, as well as by age of bottle-feeding persistence: no habits, up to 2 years, 3-4 years and 5-6 years. Associations between nutritive sucking habits and pacifier use were analyzed using logistic regression. The larger breastfeeding groups were G2 (37.9%) and G4 (19.4%). Many children discontinued pacifier use and bottle-feeding at 3-4 years of age (24.9% and 40.1%, respectively). Chances of non-breastfed children (G1) with prolonged pacifier-sucking habits, in the three age ranges, were progressively higher in comparison with group G4 (OR: 4.0-7.5, p < 0.01). When comparing bottle-fed with non bottle-fed children, the age range at which bottle-feeding had been discontinued was significantly associated with that of pacifier use cessation: up to 2 years (OR = 6.2), 3-4 years (OR = 7.6) and 5-6 years (OR = 27.0), p < 0.01. It may be suggested that breastfeeding duration has an inversely proportional effect on the age of pacifier use persistence. Bottle-fed children who use pacifiers tend to discontinue these habits at the same period.

Bottle feeding, increased overjet and Class 2 primary canine relationship: is there any association?

“…8 Several authors have pointed out that bottle-fed children have a strong tendency to develop a pacifier-sucking habit. [9][10][11][12] Nutritive and nonnutritive sucking habits, namely bottle feeding and pacifier use, are associated to an atypical swallowing pattern, with tongue thrusting, which may be related to the development of malocclusions such as posterior crossbite. 5,7 However, while some authors have focused on the relationship between pacifier use and malocclusion in the primary dentition, 13,14 the degree of association between bottle feeding and the prevalence of occlusal alterations in the sagittal plane is still subject to conjecture.…”

“…The study groups were established based on previous research, which indicated a beneficial influence of breastfeeding without the use of artificial nipples on occlusion; 15 which recommended nonnutritive sucking habit cessation at 2 or 3 years of age, 13,14 and which demonstrated that bottle feeding is discontinued at a higher frequency between 3 and 4 years of age. 9 …”

“…4,5,[9][10][11][13][14][15]17,18 Not surprisingly, no significant effects were found for breast-feeding duration and gender. However, children with positive history of pacifier and/or digit-sucking habits were found to be 4.42 times more susceptible to the development of increased overjet (95% C.I., 3.07-6.34, p < 0.001) and to have a fourfold greater chance of presenting Class 2 canine relationship (95% C.I., 2.83-5.71, p < 0.001), compared to children without any history of nonnutritive sucking behavior (Tables 1 and 2).…”

“…Bottle feeding was found to be strongly connected to pacifier use between 3 and 4 years of age. 9 This nonnutritive sucking habit has often been implicated in the etiology of malocclusions diagnosed in the primary dentition. 4,5,[13][14][15] In fact, there is evidence of a complex interplay among breast-feeding, bottle feeding, nonnutritive sucking habits (specially pacifier use), irregular orofacial functions and malocclusions.…”

“…4,5,[13][14][15] In fact, there is evidence of a complex interplay among breast-feeding, bottle feeding, nonnutritive sucking habits (specially pacifier use), irregular orofacial functions and malocclusions. [3][4][5][6][7][9][10][11][13][14][15]17,18 Prolonged breast-feeding is related to lower frequencies of nonnutritive sucking habits. 4,9,15 Nevertheless, early weaning has been associated to the introduction of artificial nipples for nourishment or only for calming the child.…”