Aim: To find out the reasons for mothers to either use or not use a pacifier and to find out the mother's reasons for changing their mind.
Method: We analysed the data of 174 mother-infant pairs by means of a semistructured questionnaire performed shortly after birth, and at the age of 7 weeks and 5 months, respectively.
Results: The main reason for mothers primarily refusing a pacifier was their concern about malformation of the teeth or jaw. Until the end of the fifth month, 31% of the mothers changed their mind about pacifier use. Mothers primarily refusing a pacifier introduced a pacifier due to the need of soothing the infant. Mothers, who initially intended to use a pacifier, changed their mind due to rejection by the infant. The prevalence of pacifier use at the age of 5 months was 78%. The majority of mothers (69%) introduced the pacifier during the first week of life.
Conclusion: About one third of mothers had changed their mind about pacifier use, either because of rejection by the infant or the need of settling. Breastfeeding mothers require more and better information concerning the appropriate time of pacifier onset.