Pacifiers are a great tool for nursing mothers. It helps to keep babies busy while they do some other important stuff. This is because the nipples are similar to the human nipple and babies are too tender to figure out what is going on. It’s more like a trick to keep them busy. Learn how to keep pacifier in newborn mouth.
There’s a problem though. Some mothers, especially first-time mums, find making their newborns keep the pacifier in their mouths without external assistance, difficult. I mean. Going back and forth adjusting your baby’s pacifier can be tiring.
If you are amongst the people I described, then, this article is just for you. I understand your plight and I’m ready to show you the way. Just keep reading to know all you need to know how to give newborn a pacifier.
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How to Keep Pacifier in Newborn Mouth
Below are three ways to achieve your goal:
1. Feed your baby first before the pacifier
This might sound odd but try it. It works!
If you give your newborn a pacifier when he is hungry, he will suck it for a while and push it out once he realizes that the pacifier does not contain what he needs at the moment.
They are babies, yeah, but they also have the ability to reason. And if you do that often, he will develop a hatred for pacifiers. But if you introduce it after he is full, he won’t have much problem keeping it in his mouth. He might even see it as a play tool.
2. It takes time. Have patience
Your baby is still too young and is still learning a lot. Give him time, he will adapt. Some babies take a shorter time to master the use of pacifiers while some take a longer time.
All you need do is ensure you consistently offer him pacifiers. If you do it consistently, he will come to know how to grab and keep it himself.
3. Get another pacifier
If you’ve tried the two tips above and you didn’t record any results, observe the pacifier.
Your newborn may be rejecting the pacifier because of its size or texture. Get him a new pacifier with a smaller nipple. That might be what he needs. No rule says you must stick to one brand. Rather, you should stick to what works for your newborn.
Also Read: When Can You Start Giving Baby Powdered Formula
Can Newborns Sleep With Pacifiers In their Mouths?
If your newborn master the use of pacifiers, you can leave the pacifier in his mouth while sleeping. It will help him sleep longer and if you want to know if it’s safe, let me tell you something you are yet are know.
Pacifiers reduce SIDS.
SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Wondering why I’m suddenly mentioning SIDS? It is because it is predominant among newborns, and the use of pacifiers while sleeping helps to prevent it.
Not much has been written to make the public understand how this thing happen but a lot has been said about the rate at which pacifiers curb SIDS.
With this, I’m sure you are quite convinced.
But!
To further ensure that nothing goes wrong, there are extra things you need to do.
They include:
1. Use of pacifiers with air bents.
If the pacifier you give to your baby does not encourage the circulation of air, he might suffocate. This is why you must ensure the pacifier has a moderate air vent. This will help your baby take in enough air.
Remember, the air vent must be moderate. Not too big, not too small. If you get one with a larger air vent, it will affect your newborn.
2. Use of one piece pacifier
Different brands of pacifiers are in the market. Don’t go for the most beautiful, go for the ones that are safe for your baby.
One-piece pacifiers are great for sleeping. This is because they are made with soft silicone and you need not worry about the nipple loosening at any point.
3. Never attach a string to a pacifier while sleeping
I know you may think that this approach is great. It may benefit you but not your newborn, especially while sleeping. This is because your baby might get strangled by the string.
Yeah, that’s not your intention but it’s better to stop now if you’ve been doing this.
4. Check from time to time
He’s a baby and not a toddler. Even toddlers need to be checked on while asleep. Check on him while he is sleeping to ensure all is well with him and also to get the pacifier refixed if he dropped it mistakenly. It happens!
Allowing your baby to sleep with a pacifier isn’t a bad practice but you must follow these guidelines to ensure nothing goes wrong.
Also Read: How Long After Painting a Room Is It Safe for Baby to Sleep
How to Soothe a Baby that Won’t Take a Pacifier
Some babies are hard nuts to crack when it comes to taking pacifiers. Some babies take pacifiers without much ado, some take them after consistent trials, and some don’t take them at all.
Before concluding that your baby belongs to the last group, try out these tips:
1. Apply tolerance
When handling babies, you must know how to tolerate them. Your baby is new to pacifiers and must show that he is. All he knows is your nipple. Hence, it’s on you to give him time to adapt to the new development.
He might not accept it the first week you introduced it or even the first month. Do not give up. Keep giving it to him, he will eventually come to learn what it is and how to make good use of it.
2. Make him see it as a play tool
Here’s another great way to introduce it to your baby.
Instead of bringing a pacifier to him when he’s hungry or probably uncomfortable, introduce it to him after feeding or after bathing him instead. He will appreciate it more.
You can even bring it alongside his play set. That will be you telling him that a pacifier does not replace the nipple that he cherishes so much. He will begin to see it as something to chill with.
3. Soak the pacifier nipple into expressed breast milk or formula
This is a trick that works although not for all babies. The smarter ones will figure your trick out even before you know it but you just have to try.
Express a little quantity of great milk into a clean cup and dip the pacifier into it.
The breast milk or formula will serve as bait to lure your baby. Gently put it in his mouth, I bet you, he won’t reject it.
4. Act as though you are breastfeeding him
This work so well in babies who are breast milk addicts. Yeah, I know. All babies like breast milk but some babies can’t stay a few minutes without it. They are the ones you can easily get using this approach. If your baby falls into this category, this might be your chance to get him hooked.
This is how to do it.
Carry your baby in a breastfeeding position and give him your nipple first. After a few minutes, remove your nipple from his mouth. Place the pacifier in your nipple and put it into your baby’s mouth and carry him in the same position for a while.
Is It Ok If Baby Doesn’t Take Pacifier
Like I said earlier, some babies will never accept pacifiers no matter how much you try. But this isn’t something to worry about. It isn’t due to any health challenge. That’s his nature and you can’t do much about it.
If you’ve tried your best, I advise you to give up. Don’t rush to the doctor for this issue because it isn’t something a doctor can do for you. Your baby is fine, don’t panic at all.
When to Stop Using the Pacifier
The use of pacifiers for babies can stop when they are 1 to 3 years. But it depends on you and your partner’s choice. You are free to stop your baby’s pacifier usage once he clocks 1 year or you leave him to enjoy it till he clocks 3.
In all, remember that pacifiers are advantageous in all ramifications. You should let your baby enjoy it well before letting go.
Bad Side Of Pacifier
Pacifiers are good generally but there are things we do that make them disadvantageous. One of them is:
Failure to take proper care of them.
Just like your baby’s bottle, pacifiers need to be sanitized daily. Yeah! They all go into one place; your baby’s system through his mouth. So why not sanitize it as well?
If you don’t, loads of bacteria and fungi will make the nipple their happy abode and your baby will keep swallowing them until they become big enough to cause havoc on his system.
Wash your baby’s pacifier alongside his bottles. After that, soak them in boiled water and ensure the water covers them adequately. After some time, remove them and ensure no water is remaining in the nipple.
Conclusion
Pacifiers are great. Don’t panic while using it. Just ensure you play by the rule. If your baby isn’t taking it after trying for a long time, don’t panic still. It’s not a health issue.
Remember, your baby is tender. His system is fragile and can not fight microbial attacks. This is why you must take extra care of all that concerns them.