How to Soothe a Baby Who Won't Take a Pacifier

Susannah Birch is a certified birth doula, announcer, and owner of Trimester Talk, a leading pregnancy website.

Using a pacifier or dummy is not required, only if y'all're interested in using one and your babe just won't take information technology, larn what yous can try.

Prototype by Dariusz Sankowski from Pixabay

How to Get a Baby to Take a Dummy

Equally a new mother, I heard a lot of horror stories almost how hard it is to wean a baby off a dummy. What I didn't hear were the stories virtually how hard it can exist to get a baby to take one!

Babies all like to suck on something. Some parents are happy for their babe to use a thumb, fist, or finger. Other parents prefer to apply a dummy because they're worried near the baby's teeth, or they simply desire to avoid the big amounts of saliva that glaze the baby after a good thumb-suck!

Nonetheless, not all babies are the same (if you haven't discovered this already!) Some take instantly to a dummy, while others accept to take a good recall about it or just flat-out decline. Any the case, hopefully this guide will give you a helping hand!

A Dummy Is Not Always Required

Delight Note: This is NOT a guide recommending that babies take dummies. In fact, babies tin can do but fine without a dummy. However, in cases where babies have wind or reflux, the comfort of a dummy can give the parents a much-needed interruption.

When Not to Use a Dummy

When Starting to Breastfeed

If you lot plan to breastfeed, it's a good idea non to use a dummy until the babe has learnt to feed properly and has right zipper. More often than not, the recommended age for breastfed babies to offset using a dummy is two–3 weeks. If you take problems breastfeeding, cheque with your midwife or a breastfeeding consultant.

With a Newborn

A young baby can sometimes take trouble differentiating between when they want to suck and when they are hungry, since the sucking reflex is an important part of how their torso gets food. For this reason, it'south a proficient idea to hold off at least a few days or weeks to make certain infant is salubrious and has a practiced ambition before introducing a dummy.

Sometimes, baby will happily use the pacifier for a few weeks, and then decline it completely!

Paradigm by Uwe Baumann from Pixabay

Common Pacifier Problems

The post-obit situations are normal, so don't be surprised if they occur with your baby, likewise.

Infant Latches Onto the Dummy Incorrectly

Breastfed babies are used to opening their mouths wide to have a breast, then immature babies do this automatically when something is put in front end of their mouth. Until they acquire that they but need to suck the teat, they may effort to take the whole dummy into their mouths.

Baby Takes the Dummy for a Few Weeks, Then Stops

Don't be surprised if baby seems to love the dummy then suddenly gives it up again without warning. My baby did this, but don't worry—non all hope is lost.

Attempt these tips if your baby refuses to take a dummy.

Prototype by Myshanah from Pixabay

How to Become Your Baby to Accept a Pacifier

• Try a Different Dummy: Frequently, the baby may prefer a dissimilar shape or take a preference between rubber and silicone. Also, make sure that you have the correct size for baby's age. (Meet the section on different types of pacifiers at the bottom of the commodity.)
• Try at Dissimilar Times: Try using the dummy as soon as babe finishes feeding or at unlike times of the day.
• Endeavour When Baby Is Sleepy: When baby is sleepy, sucking on something can often help them doze off and is more of a reflex than a witting activeness.
• Heat or Absurd the Dummy: Try heating the dummy in hot water or cooling it in the fridge.
• Put Milk on Information technology: Express or rub a petty milk on the dummy.
• Tap It: Identify the dummy in babe'south mouth and tap gently to get their attention and help them latch on and continue sucking.
• Stroke Infant's Olfactory organ: This doesn't work for all babies, simply the distraction of having their olfactory organ stroked often helps them suck.
• Finish Trying: If zippo works, try taking a break for a few days or even a few weeks. Babies can modify their minds almost their likes and dislikes at any fourth dimension!

Never Use Honey or Saccharide!

Don't glaze the dummy in honey or sugar. This is bad for several reasons. Honey can cause baby botulism. Also, baby tin can go used to the sweetness and expect it every time they have a dummy, and your baby has a young digestive system which may not be able to handle all the extra sugar.

Read More than From Wehavekids

Different Types of Pacifiers

Cloth

• Rubber
• Silicone

Rubber is cheaper and more flexible, merely silicone dummies oft last longer, specially if you sterilize them by humid.

Shape

• Orthodontic
• Bong

Dummies come up in dissimilar shapes, but these are the ii principal ones. The orthodontic ones are generally meant to resemble a woman'south nipple, and and so they may be more suitable for breastfed babies.

Size

Dummies are fabricated in different sizes for dissimilar ages. Make sure you become the right size and so your baby does not experience like they are choking.

This content is authentic and true to the best of the author's cognition and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have unsafe side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual footing. Seek immediate help if you lot are experiencing a medical emergency.

sunshine Locklear on December 11, 2018:

How-do-you-do to All Mothers its ok if your little one does not have a pacify . mine dies non and i have no promblems with him whatsoever . hes teething at an eary age but i also keep him intertain with many teether soothers . and he loves watching his picayune programs .so i did not need a pacify for him thank god . simply all our childern are differnt in all ways .then i wish you all the best . and god bless y'all all and your beautiful little ones➕

Debra Allen from West Past God on January 21, 2015:

My oldest never liked those things and she never sucked on anything merely a bottle and so she was a short time on that too. There is no rule that they have to suck on onything merely a bottle or a real honest mother's nipple.

Becki Rizzuti from Indiana, Usa on August 27, 2014:

I preferred to employ my own (clean) fingers when my children were very small, or to offer a nipple with my youngest (since she'due south the simply one who was exclusively chest-fed).

Turns out, though, that I was one of those children who never wanted a dummy. I also didn't suck my thumb. I've never asked my mother what I did suck on, but I suspect it was probably something cloth, like a stuffed brute.

metalmomma27 from Hornell,New York on October 06, 2011:

For new moms to be or new mother I would say the best pacifier I used for my children was the Orthodontic pacifiers. I didn't breastfeed them they were all formula feed babies. The best formula that I think is really adept if not breastfeeding would be Similac Advanced with Fe.

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Source: https://wehavekids.com/parenting/Help-My-Baby-Wont-Take-A-Dummy

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