Sucking Your Baby’s Pacifier to Clean It May Prevent Allergies

Of the 128 mothers completing multiple interviews, 58 percent reported current pacifier use by their child. Of those who had a child using a pacifier, 41 percent reported cleaning by sterilization, 72 percent reported hand washing the pacifier, and 12 percent reported parental pacifier sucking.

“We found that parental pacifier sucking was linked to suppressed IgE levels beginning around 10 months, and continued through 18 months,” says allergist Edward Zoratti, MD, ACAAI member and co-author of the study. “Further research is needed, but we believe the effect may be due to the transfer of health-promoting microbes from the parent’s mouth. It is unclear whether the lower IgE production seen among these children continues into later years.”

“We know that exposure to certain microorganisms early in life stimulates development of the immune system and may protect against allergic diseases later,” says Dr. Abou-Jaoude. “Parental pacifier sucking may be an example of a way parents may transfer healthy microorganisms to their young children. Our study indicates an association between parents who suck on their child’s pacifier and children with lower IgE levels but does not necessarily mean that pacifier sucking causes lower IgE.”

Contacts and sources:
American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Citation: Association Between Pacifier Cleaning Methods and Child Total IgEAuthor: Eliane Abou-Jaoude, MD