SUCKERS UNITE: Stressed-out folks soothing with adult pacifiers
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Stressed-out young adults in China are reverting to baby mode, popping in pacifiers to sooth their weary souls.
Once regarded as a niche quirk, the silicone soothers are reportedly now big business on Chinese e-commerce giants such as Taobao and JD.com, where they are priced anywhere from US$1.40 to US$70.
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The adult-sized pacifiers are sold as sleep aids, stress relievers, and even smoking-cessation tools, and shoppers are suckers for the items. Some online sellers move thousands every month, the South China Morning Post(SCMP) reported, per the New York Post.
Fans of the grown-up soothers aren’t shy about using them, either.
“When I’m under pressure at work, I feel a sense of safety from childhood,” one Chinese buyer said, as reported by the outlet.
However, not everyone is in favour of the baby-item boom.
Dr. Tang Caomin, a dentist in Sichuan, warned SCMP that “if you sleep with a pacifier in your mouth, it can interfere with breathing, and in the worst case, there is a risk of suffocation.”
The doc also cautioned that prolonged use could mess with your bite, strain your jaw and even disrupt sleep.
The trend isn’t limited to China. TikTok videos show videos of American adults pacifying themselves in traffic, at work, or during burnout.
In the comments section of a TikTok by @thebentist, one user swore, “I just use an adult pacifier it hasn’t moved my teeth been using them for 4 years.”
Said another: “Just get an adult pacifier I use one! And the ADHD tip it works!!(for me).”
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Not everyone on social media is on board with the concept.
“If you want something in ur mouth, chew gum. if you want to suck on something (like a pacifier) have a sucker (lollipop),” one commenter said.
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