Does a baby swallow air when using a pacifier?

Whether a baby will swallow air when using a pacifier generally depends on the specific circumstances.

1. No air is swallowed

Pacifiers are typically available in two types: hollow and solid. With a solid pacifier, which has a solid structure without holes, the baby cannot ingest significant amounts of gas into the gastrointestinal tract while sucking, so no air is swallowed.

2. Air may be swallowed

If a hollow pacifier with openings is used, the baby may ingest some air into the gastrointestinal tract while sucking, potentially causing bloating, burping, and similar symptoms.

Since prolonged use of pacifiers may lead to dependency, negatively affect a child's independence, and potentially interfere with dental development, it is not recommended to use pacifiers for extended periods.