*Mute*

Pacifiers seem to be the sort of thing that people develop a philosophy about. It almost seems to be elevated in some circumstances to the level of the moral. Many people establish themselves in camps of Pacifiers where "Orthodontically designed" is their battle cry...or Thumbsucking where "God-given" is their battle cry.

I am not in a camp.

I just know that our doctor said that research has shown pacifiers seem to contribute in lowering the risk factors for SIDS. Enough said. I'll give it a try.

For weeks, Michael didn't want a pacifier. We would offer it to him...he'd smile, but then quickly spit it out with a definitive Pttang! Ok, Michael, you don't want it? You don't have to have it.

But on one specific occasion when I was putting Michael down for a nap, he was sleeping in my arms, I leaned over to put him in his bed...and *bing!* his eyes opened up. Arg! I thought. I worked so hard and now I have to start over. For some reason, though, I didn't pick him up. I just put the pacifier in his mouth and began to rub his head. I rubbed his forehead, his eyebrows, his nose, his head....trying to lull him into sleep.

And do you know what?

It worked.

Of course, it only worked for about 5 minutes. But you know, Michael, for the first time since I can remember, dozed off to sleep without being bounced, rocked or jiggled (the usual magic combination). His eyes just got heavier and heavier and heavier, until finally, he went to sleep. What a victory!

Since that day, whenever Michael wakes up and is still in a slightly dozed state, a pacifier will help to get him back to sleep. The sucking sensation is apparently soothing, and helps him get himself back to a dreamy state.

And the best part is when I am trying to get him to sleep and I rock him to sleep in my arms, put him down and he wakes up again angry and mad and crying...do you know what quiets him down without having to pick him back up again and start from the top? You guessed it...that silly pacifier! On several occasions now, he has gone from upset to sleeping by one little *pop* of that thing. I'm sold.

Now, I know the dangers of pacifier use: namely addiction. Since we are at the early stages, I may one day be looking back and cursing myself for ever introducing the darn thing. But for now, if it seems to help him sleep (a definite plus!) and since there is even a slight chance it helps reduce SIDS, it brings about a little more peace of mind.

But the thing that really does it for me....

He is just so darn cute with it!