Can a pacifier relieve ear pain?

Generally speaking, a pacifier can help alleviate ear pain to some extent. If symptoms are severe, prompt medical attention is recommended, and treatment should follow medical advice. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Infants cannot actively balance ear pressure through swallowing or yawning, so changes in air pressure may cause ear discomfort or pain. In such situations, the sucking action associated with using a pacifier can help infants relieve ear discomfort. Moreover, for patients with chronic otitis media or infantile otitis media, a pacifier can reduce ear pressure and thereby alleviate pain symptoms to some extent.

However, in cases of severe otitis media or other ear conditions, relying solely on a pacifier cannot address the underlying issues. At this point, timely medical consultation is necessary to receive targeted treatment for inflammation, infection, and other related problems. Additionally, excessive reliance on pacifiers may lead to other issues such as oral health problems and misalignment of teeth. Therefore, even when temporary relief can be achieved, pacifiers should be used appropriately under a doctor's guidance.

After each use, the pacifier should be thoroughly cleaned with warm water and a neutral cleaning agent, then rinsed with clean water to ensure there is no residual milk residue or dirt.