Is there a connection between pacifier use and ear infections?

There is no direct connection between pacifier use and ear infections. Ear infection can be caused by bacteria or a virus growth when fluid builds up in the area behind baby's eardrum and then becomes infected. This is because fluid that enters this area flows through a tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. The tube is called "eustachian tube". If this tube is blocked, the fluid gets trapped in the middle ear. This usually happens when the baby is having a cold. The trapped fluid allows bacteria to grow. You can read more about ear infections from this article: http://www.babycenter.com/0_ear-infections-in-babies_83.bc Though use of pacificer can increase the risk of ear infections but it is not the cause of it.