Tuesday, April 3, 2018

6-Week-Old Gideon

Gideon Forsyth is just three days away from his six-week milestone! He has been enjoying the fresh air as Joy and Austin Forsyth work with Austin's parents at their family camp, Fort Rock, in preparation for the Annual Spring Marriage Retreat, which runs from April 20th-22nd. Joy and Austin will share their testimony at the retreat.

Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth, Gideon Forsyth
Joy-Anna and Austin Forsyth, Gideon Forsyth

Gideon Martyn Forsyth
Gideon Martyn Forsyth

Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com/Joy and Austin Forsyth

227 comments:

  1. I always hate it when I see a baby with a pacifier in its mouth. They are so unhealthy and the constant sucking leads to ear infections.

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    1. You should say “can” lead to ear infections. My little sister used a pacifier and has never had an ear infection soooooo......

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    2. Pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS. Look it up.

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    3. well, it's a good thing it's not your baby!! Wow! That's a rude comment to make.

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    4. Actually the sucking relieves the pressure in the ears....that’s why mothers are encouraged to nurse bottle feed or give a pacifier to infants on air plains.

      There are lots of myths associated with pacifiers, google it. The truth is some babies need to suck more than others and no mom can give undivided attention 24/7 even to a first baby.

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    5. Pacifiers are a lot easier to take away than fingers. Babies enjoy sucking. It doesn’t hurt to use a pacifier for a short time.

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    6. There are pros and cons. There's actually research that shows they may help prevent SIDS. Like anything, moderation is best.

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    7. Huh? I know lots of babies who used pacifiers that never got ear infections.

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    8. Bah. Some babies it works for and others not. There are many, many ways to raise a healthy baby. Suck away lil Gideon!

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    9. I completely disagree! My daughter is 17 months old, has always used pacifier day and night and she has never had an ear infection.

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    10. All my babies had pacifiers and never got an ear infection.

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    11. I’m a dr. The constant sucking doesn’t lead to ear infections.

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    12. Joy you look wonderful.

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    13. Um no it doesn’t. Get your facts straight. 🙄

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    14. Agree..My kids did not have them. Their doctor told me not to give them one and that was 30 years old.

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    15. I beg to differ negative nelly, my son loved his paci until 18 months and to this day has never had an ear infection. It’s not the paci causing infections it’s the food they eat and the cleanliness of their environment.

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    16. I totally disagree with you. I have children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that all have taken a pacifier and your observation doesn’t apply.

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    17. Three of our babies had pacifiers for a short time with no bad results and no ear infections. Some babies have a strong sucking reflex and you can't nurse them 24/7!

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    18. Pacifiers are proven to lower the risk of SIDS, which has also proven to be a higher risk in male babies. Joy has more than likely done her research and has chosen to utilize a pacifier for his well -being.

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    19. You obviously aren’t a mother. Sucking helps to relieve the pain of ear infections. Anyone who has had a fussy baby that wants to nurse every second can testify that pacifiers can be one of the best inventions ever made. There has been research that pacifiers reduce the risk of sids as well.

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    20. You must be that "perfect" parent!! Congrats!! Uggggg...

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    21. Sounds like you need a pacifier.

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    22. I had 4 kids and every one of them used a pacifier, never had one get an ear infection. Nothing unhealthy about them. Get your facts straight before leaving nasty comments.

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    23. Oh... idk. We had pacifiers till 4 and 5 and still not done at 2 and we’ve had a combined less than 10 ear infections across three kids. We had asthma with one. One said he’d give it up at 5 and was really proud of his ability to keep a promise and we have a baby still attached! Don’t have any thumb suckers whose families badger them about it: that was me and I sucked my thumb till 10 along with the harassment and shame. I’d rather make it a positive experience...

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    24. That’s a pretty weird statement? My baby never got an ear infection until months after he stopped taking pacifiers. My twins one is always sucking either a pacifier or his hand and the other sucks her lip to comfort herself because she doesn’t like plastic, so they’re always sucking and no ear infections.

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    25. You need to check your facts. There are studies that pacifiers actually help reduce the risk of sids. Plus mind your own business.

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    26. Yes, but how do you know the baby is sucking on it constantly? And what do you consider to be unhealthy about them?

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    27. And ruins their future teeth.

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    28. I believe the medical community has reversed course on this. They actually recommend pacifier use at the onset of sleep to prevent SIDS especially from 4 weeks to 6 months.

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    29. While I never use a pacifier with my babies, they can have positive effects like decrease in the rate of SIDS :)

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    30. How about... what a beautiful baby. Isn’t that so much nicer?

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    31. What the?! I'm a mother of 6, all my children have had a pacifier at some point and none of the have suffered with ear infections due to sucking. Babies suck on bottles if they are bottle fed and they suckle off of mom if they are breast fed. It's how they eat for goodness sake!
      Goes to show that people really will say anything just to have a go at these girls.

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    32. My daughter had used a pacifier since she was about two months old and now she is eight months old and no ear infections yet.

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    33. It also reduces the risk of cod death. Mine never had ear infections. Some used them, some not. This Mama will work it out.

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    34. I always hate seeing negativity and know it all syndrome.

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    35. No it doesn’t.

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    36. Thats funny my kids never had ear infections and both had pacifiers.

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    37. Keep your unkind thoughts for yourself, please. Nobody is interested in it. By the way, a pacifier is not that unhealthy at all. This one is called a soothie, and is also used (in a smaller size) in hospitals for premature babies.

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    38. If that is your opinion on pacifiers it’s fine...but I am sure Joy and Austin made the decision they felt was best for their son. I used a pacifier when I was baby and never had an ear infection until I was older.

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    39. Not true. I used a pacifier when I was a baby and I have only had one ear infection in my entire 24 year old life (and the ear infection occurred when I was a teenager). There are way worse reasons to be anti pacifier than that.

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    40. Stop being a parent police, what ppl do with their baby is their business not urs, I'm 42yrs old and when I was a baby i had one..as long as u sterilize it as soon as it comes out of the package its healthy ask ur doctor..u ppl need to keep ur negative opinions to urself and leave joy alone ..how would u feel if ppl judged u, ur kids etc and told u how u should raise ur kids..exactly..so stop doing it to others

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    41. How about putting something positive on here and mind your own business.

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    42. some children this young are highly prone to repeat ear infections always end up w/ tubes in both ears put in by a doctor only. and these infections can cause a too real delay in talking or the total of hearing. also the too real chance unknowning any person who,s pregnant falls sick from viruses or even micro parasite on un washed under cooked foods, clean change cat litter pan can cause issues w/ the unborn. also helps knowing the family tree history in health to see if there,s any others who had issues in the pass

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    43. If pacifiers are so bad, then why did God give a baby that desire to suck? I think it's better to suck on something that can be taken away at some point than a thumb, no?

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    44. Do some research before you spout such things..

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    45. Also, so long as they don't live with it or have it for too long, teeth will be fine

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    46. All of you who jumped on the OP, please research and reconsider. The OP is correct, and the info is available for you to read online, from legitimate studies, not from parental experiences.

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    47. The Mayo Clinic (2017) cautions that pacifier use could be linked to inner ear infections. There was a study in Finland (2000) that came to this conclusion. There was a Dutch study (2008-ish) that found the same results, leading the BBC to do a story on the study. Pediatric doctors' websites are currently citing pacifier use as risk factor for the infections, along with second-hand smoke and bottle use while lying down.

      Please don't be so quick to gang up on a poster, who turns out in this case to be right. Some of you said "do your research," but had you done it yourself, you would have found these results. I hope this gets posted because I feel bad for the one who started the conversation here. And it looks like most of the repliers could learn something new about pacifiers.

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  2. Share their testimony? They have been married for a blink of an eye.

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    1. Your testimony is the story of how God has worked on your life, and anyone can benefit from hearing the testimony of another person.

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    2. “Testimony” usually implies how their faith is empowering their journey, how they came to know Christ and how they will use their faith and beliefs to keep their marriage strong.

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  3. Gideon is so adorable! Joy looks so good and happy! Motherhood agrees with her:)

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  4. The main thing that struck me about the top photograph is how very young Joy looks, it took me back to when she was a little girl. Also what milestone is at six weeks?

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  5. Six weeks is not a milestone.

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  6. It's weird that the Duggars wear so much collegiate attire when their beliefs and views are anti-university.

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    1. It does seem strange, since none of them attended University of Arkansas or Texas and they do seem to wear a lot of it.
      If I remember right, Jessa and Ben even used the Razorbacks theme as a recessional in their wedding.

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  7. I sure hope they aren't making Joy do physical labor! She would barely be healed from the surgery.

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    1. I think she was just hanging around with the baby while Austin and his dad work

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  8. Beautiful pictures! And Gideon is one of the most adorable babies I've seen in a while. So happy for them!

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  9. I have two grown up daughters and two grandchildren, all had dummies and no ear infections. If it helps little one's and in turn helps mums n dads what's the problem.

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  10. What is a testimony in this context?

    Love from your Jewish fans

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    1. It basically means a story of how God has worked in your life.

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    2. Maybe they’re going to talk more about how they met. I’m not really sure since they’re still newlyweds.

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    3. Telling everyone about your faith in god within your marriage I’m guessing.

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  11. That is the first I have ever heard either of those opinions, and I have had 4 babies. In fact, I was recommended to use pacifiers, as 3 of our 4 babies were somewhat tongue tied, so sucking on a pacifier helped to shape the tongue correctly so as to be able to latch on better when breast feeding

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  12. Just wondering why he does not have a hat on? He is still young,just saying.

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  13. How on earth can these two share their testimony???

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    1. Every Christian has a testimony. It just means sharing what God has done in your life.

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    2. Your testimony doesn’t just start when you get married. What did they both do to prepare for marriage? Were there books that helped them? What has surprised them the most about marriage? They have been married a year. You learn a lot about each other in the first year. You figure out how to compromise and handle disagreements and how to work together as a team. Everyone has different experiences, and we can all learn from each other.

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  14. Actually, pacifiers have been shown to reduce sids. There’s nothing wrong with paci’s and if they give the exhausted parents some relief then that’s great. Don’t be so judge, pacifiers aren’t bad, unless the kid is like 8, then maybe it should be taken away.

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  15. I don’t like the fact that the pacifier seems to be covering his nostrils. This might be too large for him right now.

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    1. That's the same kind of paci that they gave my babies at the hospital. It doesn't smash up against their nose; there is room for them to breathe.

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  16. Beautiful boy! A Paccy isn't a huge deal particularly if they are nursing. Congratulations Joy and Austin!

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  17. A pacifier? Ugh. Those things tend to be nasty. I've rarely seen a parent do anything other than stick it back in the baby's mouth if the baby spits it out. Occasionally the parent will rinse it off if it falls on the ground. I think they're not good for the baby.

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    1. LOL, well that's the parent's fault, not the pacifier's fault.

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    2. Are you a parent? Come back and say this after you've had a baby. Your comment is very judgmental.

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  18. I don't understand why you felt it necessary to post that comment and...sorry...that is incorrect information.

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  19. Wow now we're picking on the newborns! :)

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  20. Pacifier use during naps or nighttime can prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Doctors aren't sure how it works, but if you give your baby a pacifier while she's asleep, you might lower her risk of SIDS by more than half. Satisfy the suck reflex. Babies have a natural need to suck.

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  21. False, it does not lead to ear infections. My son used a pacifier and never had an ear infection.

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  22. They are actually beneficial if you do the research do you have children

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  23. Not to be snarky, but I don't really think being married less than a year qualifies you to speak at a Marriage Retreat (no offense intended).

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    1. It does in Duggarland.

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    2. Do you know how long the people have been married that they are going to speak to? Are they talking to people engaged to be married but not married yet? You can learn something from anyone if you are willing to listen. They are tons of adjustments in the first year of marriage. Sometimes those of us who have been married for a long time forget those things. If they are giving their testimonies, then they are just telling about their experiences not offering advice. I always like to hear how people met and how their relationship progressed.

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    3. Right, wait til 10-20 years

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    4. Why not? They're married, are they not? There isn't a specific length of marriage that makes it "legitimate" and qualifies them to talk about their marriage. Their testimony is theirs. They have the right to share about their relationship just as anyone does. Besides, very frequently retreats like this have special activities for newlyweds and for engaged couples, both of which would benefit from hearing from a young newlywed couple. And if you didn't intend any offense, you wouldn't have made the comment. The only reason to say something like that is to be "snarky".

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  24. That is not true! Both of my sons used pacifiers, and neither had any ear infections growing up.

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  25. Handsome boy ! Congrats

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  26. So happy for Austin and JoyAnna. Love him up. If you think these past 6 weeks went fast...you havent seen anything yet.Love Gideons name. Beautiful and unique.
    Sharon from SC

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  27. Pacifiers are not "unhealthy" and they don't always lead to ear infections. Newborns have a inborn need to suck which is natural.

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  28. He looks like a mini Austin so much. It’s crazy lol.

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  29. He doesn't look like he cares for it either....😬

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  30. Good thing he's not your kid then. My son had a pacifier and was perfectly fine. To each their own. Quit shaming parents who didn't from you.

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  31. Besides the negativity could you say anything nice about this beautiful baby boy.

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  32. Congratulation what a beautiful baby

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  33. Adorable family! Both my girls had pacifiers and had no issues whatsoever...

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  34. He is so adorable God bless him

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  35. Awe! What a gorgeous baby boy! I adore him, so sweet! Joy and Austin look fantastic and it obvious they are enjoying their journey as parents! So happy for them!

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  36. My son had the same pacifier! So sweet!

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  37. Seriously, stay off this site, if you are negative and grumpy. No words about Joy, Austin, or how cute Gideon is. Just a sour puss. Your behavior is inappropriate.

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  38. He’s adorable ♥️

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  39. Sucking is very natural and soothing for a baby. As long as the kid isn’t in preschool with a pacifier, then it’s fine.

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  40. Pacifiers are actually recommended to reduce the risk of SIDS.

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  41. Unless the baby's pediatrician recommends otherwise, pacifiers are of great benefit. Pacifier use greatly reduces the risk of SIDS, and pacifiers are used therapeutically in the NICU to strengthen the jaw muscles of premature and sick babies so that they have the strength to feed from breast or bottle. They are indeed very healthy for a lot of babies unless the baby's pediatrician instructs otherwise. Good job Mom and Dad, you're doing great and he is absolutely adorable!

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  42. He is so adorable!! I can’t believe he is 6 weeks already! My son loved his pacifier too we called it his binky!

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    1. Aww! My son called it his "sucky"

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    2. We called our daughters her "best friend" LOL. I think it was more our best friend looking back. And she didnt have any ear infections, ever. She is 11 now.

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  43. He is absolutely adorable!!

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  44. Pacifiers actually reduce the risk of SIDS, meet a physiological suck need that infants are born with, and relieve pain via endorphins released by sucking. There is nothing unhealthy about using a pacifier to "pacify" or soothe an infant. Misuse, such as using it to avoid a feeding, encouraging children to use them constantly (to keep quiet), letting children speak with them in their mouth (consequently causing speech abnormalities and tooth movement), or using them as a rewards/consequence definitely causes issues. 70% of recurrent ear infection are related to genetics and anatomy, not pacifiers. Research even shows that the use of pacifiers has no impact on the success of breastfeeding.

    Moms who choose to use pacifiers are doing the best thing for their child. Moms who choose not to use them are doing the best thing for their child. Neither one is better than the other.

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    1. All babies are different. It's easy to judge when you are not in their shoes. I used to work in daycare before I had my son and those pacifiers were a Godsend!

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  45. And why is it that they are given in the NICU and to babies after birth in the hospital setting?


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    1. In my experience, after having a preemie that had to stay in NICU for 2 weeks, pacifiers are probably given to soothe the babies so they don't cry so much. The nurses didn't have time to hold the babies and comfort them. One of the first questions they asked me was, "Are you ok with us giving your child a pacifier?" I thought it was odd to be asked that and then after a couple of days I knew why. I live in Canada so I don't know how practice here compares to elsewhere.

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    2. Good point, RN Roxie! Gideon's pacifier looks exactly like the one we were given at the hospital for our newborn.

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  46. no proof of that, lets love people and stop being so judgemental

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  47. That is ridiculous! The nurses give a pacifier to the babies in the NICU and Intermediate Nurseries! Also, if a baby doesn't use it's sucking muscles, they have a difficult time learning to talk.

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  48. Anon please cite your research. Nearly 27 years as an OB RN and breast feeding educator. We encourage our moms to wait on the pacifier til breast feeding is well established but that's it. Your info must be either quite old or erroneous. Please do some modern research.

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    1. I think some of our profession forget their evidence based practice!

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    2. Thank you. Always love to hear from the experts.

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  49. They haven't even been married 1 year and speaking at a marriage retreat???

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    1. Perhaps they will discuss purity, what the first year is like, how they lean on Christ to encourage them through the trials of early marriage or even the struggles they have endured as a couple this year.

      All couples have experiences to share....even those early in marriage. Have an open mind. 😀

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    2. I know! Right?

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  50. He looks so much like Joy in this picture went she was a baby...He is adorable....

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  51. Not your child. Sometimes that's the only way to calm a child. You don't have to let your kids have them but don't tell someone else how to raise their child

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  52. Why do you feel the need to say this? Look at the same articles that you found this information on. Pacifiers also reduce the incidence of SIDS. Leave these people alone. And why not show the world your name as readily as you post this dumb comment? Love you Joy and Austin! And keep on taking care of that little one as you see fit! —-Kayla Miller, Duggar Fan!

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  53. What a mean comment!Why the criticism of every little thing they do?The whole pregnancy Joy was picked on.If you don't have something nice to say keep it to yourself. #KINDERGARTEN Rules.

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    1. Couldn't agree more. Joy has been attacked so much. What a sweet family picture.

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  54. Only one of my seven kiddos ever had an ear infection;). He's a cutie pie!

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  55. Both of my kids used pacifiers and have never once had an ear infection. Every child is different! 🙂

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  56. Sucking doesn't lead to ear infections. Fluid build up is what causes them. Pacifiers are actually recommended to avoid SIDS. They act as a reminder for the babies to breathe, because of the desire to suck. I have 3 children who have used pacies and none have gotten ear infections.

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  57. He's a doll. Congrats to the young family.

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  58. Joy looks so happy! I wish more young women would realize that this is what brings real fulfillment - much more so than going to college or having a career, in my opinion.

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    1. Of course being a wife and mother can be fulfilling. It can also be a trap with no options if a woman finds herself with no education or job skills and in an abusive marriage, abandoned, or widowed. Adults should be self sufficient. All adults, not just male ones.

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    2. You're right- it's your opinion. I have enjoyed and experienced "real" fulfillment in the best of both worlds. Being a stay-at-home mom is a temporary job. I think it very important that women have some kind of job training or education to fall back on. It's not a good idea to assume you can depend on a man for support indefinitely.

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    3. Thanks to college I've had many accomplishments and have fulfilled my dreams of traveling to Europe and getting a job at the airport as a CSA for two international airlines.
      And I wish to achieve more in my career.
      Not every young woman wants to get married and have children. Some of us prefer studying and having a career. I'm only 23 and I feel happy about what I'm doing. But of course, that's my opinion.

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    4. And I know many young women who go to college and have a career, are just as happy. Not everyone wants to get married and become a mother as soon as they’re old enough to leave their house. If you do that’s fantastic, but it’s not for everyone.

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    5. That is a double standard. Men manage to be fulfilled by having a job or career and being a parent. There is no reason that couldn't be true for a woman too, if she would like that. Not to mention, it would be proactive for both parents to have skills to support her family as well, as financial circumstances can change.

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    6. What is “real fulfillment”? I was a young mom, am a college graduate, and am self employed in my career of choice. All 3 of these things have been fulfilling in many ways, and none of them took away from the fulfillment I derived from the others.
      The fact that my choices were not limited to one or the other has led to a greater level of self determination, from which I was able to create the life I wanted. What could be more fulfilling than turning your dreams into reality?

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    7. Not all women want to get married and start having children at a young age. Some don't want any children at all and want no part of domestic life- there's nothing wrong with that. What brings fulfilllment for one person, may not for someone else.

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    8. I wish people would realize fulfillment looks different for everyone.

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    9. In my opinion, what brings real fulfilment is different for every woman and may be a combination of study/career/motherhood, one or those things or none of the above.

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    10. My children have brought me great joy, but I will never regret having a college degree and a satisfying professional career. I knew that my husband didn't have to be relied upon to be the sole bread-winner. We were able to afford the expenses associated with the adoption of our children. I'm also quite fulfilled being retired now and having a good pension to supplement my social security. "Real" fulfillment comes in many different packages. I'd like to think that they all add to the spices of life.

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    11. Anon@11:47- While some women may find marriage and motherhood fulfilling at a young age, there are also many who do not. The reasons may be due to financial struggles or they're in an abusive relationship. A woman does herself a huge favor by being proactive in planning for the future. Having an arsenal of job skills or training may come in very handy some day if she finds she has to support herself and her kids. Life has a way of throwing curve balls, so you might as well be ready for them. And, it's downright fulfilling knowing you can provide for yourself and loved ones.

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  59. Hmmm... interesting... I have 3 boys, all pacifier babies... only 1 ear infection with cold.

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  60. I love this picture. Joy always seemed to be in a quiet shadow before Austin but now a wife and mother of this beautiful boy she has blossomed and her voice is heard. Speak out Joy we live to hear you cxxxxcxxx

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    1. Fredster- Speak out about what, exactly? She's been married less than a year and a mother less than two months. I'd say she's still very wet behind the ears. I don't mean that to be disparaging, because at that stage in life- I was pretty wet behind the ears, too.

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    2. Watch the newest video about the house. Her voice isn't just heard, it bosses Austin around! She'd better be careful there.

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  61. My daughter is eight months old. She has used a pacifier since two months old and has had no ear infections.

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  62. I don't understand where you get your information but you are wrong. Some children may be more accessible to get ear infections... Not all. In fact none of my 8, nor 15 grands suffered from ear infections because of their pacifiers or at all. Please do not post incorrect information.

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  63. All 3 of mine had them .No ear infections. It always makes me mad when people tell other people what they should and shouldn't do with THEIR kids .Just saying .😃

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  64. Both my sons had them, were very healthy babies, and rarely had ear infections. Anyway, it’s Joy and Austin’s choice.

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  65. Love his pacifier and also did you know that it can prevent sids

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    1. I'm not sure he'll appreciate the picture later on in life. My daughter wouldn't have anything to do with a pacifier because there was no food coming out of it.

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    2. So how does sucking on a piece of rubber prevent sids? The pacifier in Gideon's mouth covers his nose which might interfere with breathing.

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    3. Anonymous 9:02 we don’t know what triggers or causes SIDS, one theory is that the message to breath doesn’t happen and death occurs. Makes since that a pacifier could keep the baby stimulated and that sucking reflex could keep the breathing reflex going reducing deaths by SIDS.

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    4. It does not cover his nose! We had that same pacifier.

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  66. Beautiful gift from God!

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  67. A pacifier may be good for a small baby but I hope he doesn't end up like the 4 year old in our church nursery with one on a string around his neck which he sucks on periodically. I've never dared ask his mother why he still needs it for fear of stirring up a hornet's nest.

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  68. I rather have my babies suck on a pacifier than their thumb/other fingers. None of my sons had ear infections. Some babies don't even like the pacifier. My nephews didn't.

    Anyway, happy 6 weeks baby Gideon. Enjoy every moment, Joy and Austin. Soon 6 months then 6 years will arrive right before your eyes.

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  69. I too doubted the first poster's comment about the pacifier....until I looked it up. I found solid research, some papers 2 or 3 years old, from respectable institutions to back up her claim about ear infections. Medical journal type reports on that risk plus others that pacifiers can cause. Everything from latex allergy to bacterial infections to lack of interest in breast feeding to malformation of the palate. It's the constant open state of the eustachian tubes from the sucking that can contribute to ear infections.

    So first poster is technically correct. What others of you have experienced is just that - your experience.

    First poster, thanks. I didn't know about that, and would never have looked it up if you hadn't mentioned it.

    And no, I'm not the first poster answering herself. I am someone who wasn't happy to come here and see someone else get verbally jumped on like that.

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    1. Thank you. I'm the guilty party that stirred up the pacifier hornet's nest. Babies don't need to be constantly sucking on something no matter what people presenting themselves as nurses say. Sticking a pacifier in a baby's mouth in the hospital NICU makes a nurse's life easier. My biggest objection to pacifiers is that parents rarely sterilize them so they're full of germs and mostly they're used to keep the baby "busy" when the parents are doing something else.

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    2. Yeah. That caused quite an uproar. Since babies don't need to be constantly sucking on something, the sole purpose of a pacifier is to keep the baby occupied while the parents do something else. Hence the name. I don't see how sucking on something would "prevent SIDS". Pacifiers simply make life easier for parents but are usually full of germs and therefore a source of infections as babies have underdeveloped immune systems

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    3. Thank you @10:15 for researching this. Learn something everyday.

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    4. I'm not a fan of pacifiers myself but it wasn't worth getting in a tweak over. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for nurses and the work they do, but after being in the hospital for three months a few years ago I don't put a lot of store in what a nurse says about the use of pacifiers. They have a habit of justifying whatever they do to make their lives easier when caring for patients.

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  70. Joy looks so cute in that hat and shirt but that outfit needs a pair of jeans! The whole black skirt/pantyhose thing isn’t doing her justice.

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  71. Gideon is adorable and blessed to have Joy and Austin as parents. Gideon is lucky to have a Ministry Family Camp to go to whenever he wants. I would of loved that when I was a kid. God is good!!! Jane

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  72. Sweet baby! The only thing I'd say about the pacifier is that it's attached to a stuffie. Those are heavy- just get him a regular pacifier and let's leave them alone.

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    1. It looks like the stuffed animal is just sitting on top of Gideon, not attached to the pacifier. We had that same pacifier.

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  73. I have five children, none of them used a pacifier or sucked their thumb. I just nursed them whenever they wanted. We also co sleep and nurse at night. Not everyone is for cosleeping, but it's what works best for each family. I can think of alot more important issues though than if a baby uses a pacifier or not.

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  74. In a way, Joy has a job!

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    1. I agree! A person just has to look at the pic to see what a big job joy has! I'd rather train and influence my own children than drop them off at a daycare to somebody's else's training and influence just for a different job.

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  75. My son will be a year old this month and he has never took a pacifier and he had to have tubes put in because of ear infections.. I think if the baby will take it let him.. But don't force it.. You are doing a great job as mother.

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  76. Wow. the whole thread is about Giddy's pacy. It's really no big deal. My second cousin had one for a time, but his dad took it from him, saying he didn't need it. But anyway, no biggie.

    Congratulations Joy and Austin! Cute photos by the way!

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  77. My little peanut used a pacifier and didn't have an ear infection until she was beyond the pacifier stage.

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  78. what kind of advice could joy and austin give about marriage? Sorry but I do not need their advice they need to listen to others and see what marriage is really about before they give anyone adivce. too young people running off and married to make a baby right away. Joy is too young to marry by the time she is 30 will have four kids and no education for herself. They will be on welfare when this show ends. I hope they read this because they need good advice.

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    1. Wow! Why the grim reaper approach!

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    2. 5:47 Actually, they will be sharing their testimony about how the Lord has worked in their lives not giving advice.

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  79. I think we've debated the use of a pacifier to death now. Can we move on?

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  80. Oh my goodness this whole pacifier thing has caused chaos here. People either like to troll here or dont have kids. Let the parents be the parents

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  81. Lol. Over 100 comments and most of them are on pacifiers. Well, at least tgat first post got people talking.

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    1. And people wonder why the show is boring lol!

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  82. ellie, you mention austin & joy will "share their testimony". i have heard the duggars and the bates use that phrase before but i honestly have no idea what that is or means. could you please shed a little light on this for me? thanks

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    1. Good morning! That's a great question. When a Christian person refers to their testimony, they are referring to the story of how they came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

      Have a great day,
      Ellie

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    2. Ellie, I was just this second going to type that. Thank you!

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  83. Testimony of what? I would expect testimonies from people that actually did something extraordinary in their lives...

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    1. Every believer has a testimony and regardless of the circumstances they are all extraordinary.

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    2. Your testimony means all the people that ministered the Lord's Word (the bible) to you and/or the situations leading up to the moment of time when you made the decision to ask Jesus Christ into your life and heart to be your personal Lord and Savior. It does not mean that all this has to be dramatic or extraordinary. Sometimes a person's "testimony" is dramatic, where they have a big story to tell, other times a person's "testimony" is humble and quiet.

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    3. God is the one who does something extraordinary in the heart of a sinner - that's what a testimony is all about.

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  84. Don't Austin's parents own the Flat Rock facility? That's convenient for Joy and Austin as featured speakers at a conference there.

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  85. My take on the "great pacifier debate" is that healthy babies don't need pacifiers but their exhausted parents do. lol Thus all the angst over the first post. Babies with mouth and/or jaw problems can benefit from them but otherwise it's just a thing caregivers do to help themselves cope with the demands of the baby.

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  86. I read that pacifiers greatly reduce the chance of sids. I called my daughter in law and asked her if she had one for my 4 day old grandchild.

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  87. Who cares about the pacifier? Where's Gideon's hat? He needs to have one like Austin and Joy.

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