How To Get a Baby to Take a Pacifier Instead of Thumb Sucking
pacifiers can be taken away later in life to prevent dental problems, while thumbs can't, if you're a parent.Some babies don't like pacifiers.It can be difficult for parents to prevent thumb sucking.Since baby does not yet have teeth, thumb-sucked is not a dental problem at the baby stage of development.Most children grow out of it before their permanent teeth.Some babies self-soothe, which means that parents won't have to do as much work to soothe them.If you're worried that your child won't be able to break the habit in time, here are some helpful tips.
Step 1: Wait a second.
Wait until your baby is used to breast feeding in order to avoid nipple confusion.A pacifier can be introduced right away for some babies.If the baby seems likely to want to suck on them, gently push his/her hands away from their mouth until the pacifier is introduced.Feeding time can be a good way to prevent sucking if hunger is the reason.It is possible to cover your baby's hands with baby mittens or baby outfits with sleeves that can be folded over.
Step 2: If you want to see how your baby reacts, slowly introduce a pacifier.
When he/she is about to fall asleep is a good time to introduce a pacifier.The baby is sleepy, in a good mood, and still feels like sucking, so you will have three things working for you.It's a bad first experience if you do anything that will make it worse.If you have to force a baby to take the pacifier, it will make the baby angry and make them dislike it.If you want your baby to dislike the pacifier, try to push it at a slightly wrong angle.You can still do this if you have accidentally done something to make the baby dislike the pacifier.
Step 3: If baby responds positively to the pacifier, skip the next step and try these suggestions.
If your baby spits out the pacifier, try tugging on it when it is in his mouth.This causes the baby to suck it back in.If you accidentally push it on your baby's mouth, it will cause them to spit it out.If you can't get your baby to take the pacifier, give it to him later in the day when he is calmer.Try to find the best mood to introduce it.If that still doesn't work, try out different pacifiers.The standard pacifier is too large for some babies and can make them gag.There are special pacifiers for newborn and premature babies.If all else fails, put something sweet on the pacifier, such as fruit or sugar water.Some babies will refuse to take a pacifier until it is introduced this way.The baby has an interest in sucking on the pacifier.This could take as long as a week or two.Don't give up.It will happen eventually if you stick to it.
Step 4: Now that your baby is interested in the pacifier, keep it handy and give it to him/her whenever he/she wants it.
It is possible to attach a pacifier clip to the baby's clothes.It is best to choose one with a short strap since strangulation is not a risk.You could always have a pacifier in your pocket, diaper bag, or clipped to your clothes.Another option is to buy lots of pacifiers and keep one in each place that you might set the baby to rest in.