The accessibility of a new oral motor pacifier to infants

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to examine whether infants would accept an oral motor pacifier (OMP).Children and methodsSixteen infants were examined for their immediate acceptance of an OMP. The pacifier was regarded as accepted, if the child took it in the mouth and kept it there actively, i.e. sucked it in one way or other. Their parents were informed verbally and in writing literally about how to offer the OMP to the child and how to use it. The OMP was presented to the child and the child permitted to insert it into her/his mouth by her/himself or if the child failed to do so, the OMP was gently put to the child's mouth. The subjects’ reactions were structurally evaluated in terms of 11 statements. The parents of the children received a structured questionnaire with a space for optional free comments and personal opinions.ResultsThe median age (6 females, 10 males) was 18 months (mean 19.2 months, s.d. 10.6 and range 2–38 months). The statement scores showed no significant differentiation based on the age of the subject. The parents’ reports indicated that 14 (87.5%) of the 18 subjects accepted the OMP, 13 (81.3%) enjoyed watching the pacifier as it was shown to them, and 11 (68.8%) explored it with their fingers while holding it in their hands.ConclusionThe vast majority of the children accepted the new OMP either at the first trial or after a few trials.