Álvaro Fernández, pharmacist: "Pacifiers are great for babies, but if used too long, they can cause problems."

Pharmacist Álvaro Fernández has issued a warning about pacifier use during childhood through a video circulating on TikTok. He explains that using pacifiers during the first few months is beneficial: "It's great for infants," he says, as it helps them calm down and fall asleep. However, he emphasizes that this initial benefit doesn't justify its indefinite use. On the contrary, prolonging it over time can have detrimental consequences for child development.

Fernández focuses on the negative effects that prolonged pacifier use can have. Among them, she mentions the possibility of suffering from deformed palates , breathing disorders , and even language difficulties . Added to these risks is a less visible but equally relevant one: emotional dependence . Ironically, she notes that "there are children who almost make it to university with a pacifier," highlighting how, in some cases, this object becomes a necessity that is difficult to give up.

Removing it little by little is key to avoiding conflicts

In the expert's opinion, it's not about eliminating the pacifier abruptly, but rather doing so gradually . Fernández insists that there must be a clear time to begin weaning the child off it, and that adults must accompany this process patiently. A gradual transition can avoid emotional conflicts and help the child learn to manage themselves without depending on it. The goal is to completely eliminate its use once the child reaches a certain level of development.

Álvaro Fernández's reflection is especially directed at parents and caregivers. Many believe that pacifier use carries no consequences if the child is young, but the pharmacist insists that limits must be set . Although it is a useful ally in the first months, its function should not be extended beyond what is necessary. In Fernández's own words, when the time comes, it is important to leave it behind , because keeping it uncontrolled can interfere with key aspects of child growth.