How to get baby to take pacifier – 8 Tricks That Work

New parents will be faced with challenges and obstacles as they transition into becoming parents. These responsibilities can be stressful and at times overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out how to get baby to take pacifier or soother to reduce the risk of SIDS. Resolving this challenge is not only important to keep your baby safe while they sleep, but it’s also one of the most challenging tasks new parents face. Whether you have a boy or girl, there are different ways to teach baby to take pacifier that will also ease your mind about their safety as well.

American Academy Of Pediatrics on Pacifier and Benefits

AAP suggests offering pacifiers to infants at the onset of sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. AAP recommends avoiding pacifier use until breastfeeding is well established (usually by one month of age). AAFP recommends that it is good idea to educate mothers about the effect of pacifier use on breastfeeding in the immediate postpartum period. Read here about benefits of pacifiers, safety tips and risks of pacifier use.

Should you force a baby to take a pacifier?

If a baby refuses use of a pacifier, it is not mandatory that you force the baby to take one. What is important is to ensure that the baby has access to an adequate breast milk supply. The use of formula can also help in preventing a baby from developing a preference for the different pacifiers.

Forcing a baby to take a pacifier can be an option, but there are several things to consider before doing so. First thing is that you should make sure that the pacifier is right for your baby. for many new moms, you need to identify the right time and right size of pacifier. Some babies don’t like to be held while they’re using a pacifier, so it’s important to be prepared before you attempt to give it to them.

Second, it is important to remember that forcing a baby to use a pacifier can cause problems down the road. Babies who are forced to use a pacifier may develop speech problems, difficulty with swallowing and problems with coordination. Lastly, there is the risk of choking for bottle feeding baby while using a pacifier.

Why do some babies not take pacifiers?

It is important to understand that pacifiers can be used as a tool for soothing babies and relieving discomfort, as well as providing comfort in situations such as car rides, when a baby may be wriggly and uncomfortable. When a baby is in pain, they naturally turn their head away from the source of pain and this can put pressure on their airway which is why it is critical that they are able to suck in order to reduce discomfort.

While pacifiers are often recommended for crying baby to help them relax, there are some reasons why it might not work for every baby. Some babies don’t like the feel of a pacifier in baby’s mouth or may have trouble holding on to it. Others may be able to keep the pacifier in baby’s mouth longer than expected or may have a preference for a different shapes and different brands of pacifier. Additionally, some babies cannot tolerate even the best pacifier because they are sensitive to one of the materials used to make them, such as plastic or latex.

There are also other reasons why a particular baby might not be able to use a pacifier –

• They may be too young (less than 1 month old)
• They may be teething and not able to hold on to the pacifier. With baby’s teeth growing, it is difficult to hold pacifier
• They may have an allergy to the material used to make the pacifier, such as plastic or latex
• They may have difficulty sucking, which can be choking hazard.

Since there are many factors involved in choosing whether or not a baby will take a pacifier, it is important that you consult with your pediatrician before offering one to your baby.

What to do if baby keeps spitting out pacifier?

There is a strong likelihood that the baby is trying to get rid of the pacifier. A common reason for this is that the teether may be irritating to the mouth and the baby may be trying to avoid it. If you notice that your baby is consistently spitting out the pacifier, you should take it away and try using another type of teether, such as a frozen ball of ice or an over-the-counter teething chew, until your child gets bored with it. Another cause can be a sensitivity to the pacifier material, so if your baby seems irritated by a particular brand, switch to another one.

Another cause could be medical issues such as reflux and allergies. In these cases, you should consult your child’s doctor and seek treatment from him/her.

What is a good age to take away a pacifier?

A large majority of babies outgrow the need for using pacifiers by around two years of age. However, if your child continues to use one after this age, there may be underlying medical reasons driving their continued use. These might include reflux issues or tongue-tie. In these cases, it is critical that the pacifier be removed and replaced with a nipple cup or bottle.

8 Tricks on how to get baby to take pacifier

By the time most babies are 6 weeks old, most of them have come to view the pacifier as something that only comes out for feedings or snuggles. How can you get your baby to keep using it? The following tips could help a fussy baby to take pacifier

Try the strap

If you have a baby that is older than three months of age, you can try using a strap to help them learn to take the baby pacifiers. This will give them a sense of comfort and make it easier for them to know when to suck on it. You can also try putting a strap on your finger while you are breastfeeding your baby so they can get used to sucking reflex while they are being fed.

If you think your baby is ready to take a soother but they don’t yet have the motor skill to put it in their mouth, use the strap to help them hold it in place. This will also make it easier for them to transition to a different soother once they can put it in their mouth. Strap is an easy way to teach baby to take pacifier

Try the funny smell trick

This may sound silly, but it’s an effective way to teach baby to take pacifier. Before you introduce the soother to your baby, you can put the pacifier in a container of coffee grounds or a jar of peanut butter. These items will create a funny smell that will help your baby want to put the soother in their mouth. As your baby gets older, they will associate the soother with the funny smell and will be more likely to take it when they are fussy and want to be soothed.

Distraction Techniques

When your baby is fussy and you’re trying to teach baby to take pacifier, try distracting them with something else first. You can also use some white noise to help your baby calm down. Place a fan near your baby’s crib or cradle swing to make the noise louder. This will help your baby start to calm down and eventually be ready to take the soother.

When you’re ready to transition your baby to the pacifier, try putting the soother inside their hand. This will help them get used to the feel of the soother so they don’t immediately stick it in their mouth. Babies also like to explore their hands, so this will give them something to focus on. You can also try letting your baby suck on your finger or your nipple to help them get used to taking something in their mouth.

Make it a game

If you have an older baby, you can try making it a game to teach baby to take pacifier. You can put the pacifier in a box and let your baby try to grab it out. If you have a younger baby, you can put the soother in a box or bag and let them try to find it. This will help your baby understand that they need to take the soother to get it out of the box or bag.

This will also help your baby learn how to put the soother in their mouth and stay calm while they or practice this skill. As your baby gets older, you can make the game more challenging. You can also try putting the soother on a string or in a cup so your baby has to work harder to get it out. This will help your baby get used to the feeling of the soother in their mouth so they will be ready to start breastfeeding with it.

Keep propping up the Pacifier until they get used to it

If your baby is older than two months, you can try keeping the soother in their mouth almost all the time until they get used to it. You can do this while you are feeding them to help them start taking the soother. Put the soother in their mouth once they start sucking mechanism on mother’s breast or bottle so they get used to the feeling. This is usually the most easiest way to teach baby to take pacifier.

Once they start to suck on the soother, keep it in their mouth after feeding time is done. You can also prop the soother in their mouth while they are lying in their crib or bassinet. If your baby is old enough to sit, keep the soother in their mouth while they are in a highchair or sitting in your lap. The idea is to keep the soother in their mouth as much as possible so they can get used to taking it. This will also help your baby transition to breastfeeding because they will be used to the soother being in their mouth.

Use the Sleep Shaping Technique

If you have tried all of the other techniques listed here and your baby still won’t take a soother, you can try the sleep shaping technique when they are sleeping. This is a gentle transition technique that involves waking your baby up and trying to get them to take the soother while they are still half-asleep. This transition technique will work best when your baby is fussy and wants to be fed but you don’t want to feed them in the middle of the night.

You can try waking your baby up and rubbing its back or giving them a warm bath. Once they are calm and relaxed, try getting them to take the soother. You can also try waking your baby up when they are in the middle of a sleep cycle. This will help your breastfed baby transition to the soother without ever realizing they were being weaned off of breastfeeding.

Using a Calming Technique Called Tapping With Baby

If your baby is older than four months, you can try tapping with them teach baby to take pacifier. This is called tapping with a baby and can be used to help your baby sleep longer without needing to feed as frequently. Tap your fingers against the soother so your baby can hear the sound and feel the vibration. This will help your baby stay relaxed and fall asleep.

You can do this while you are feeding your baby so they can get used to the feeling of the soother in their mouth while tapping is happening. This will help your baby get used to the feel of the soother and help them fall asleep while they are taking it. This will also help them transition to breastfeeding better so they don’t wake up hungry as often.

Don’t Yank it Out If They Hate It Or Throw It Out

If your baby hates the soother or is too old to take one, don’t yank it out of their mouth or throw it away. Instead, put the soother in a box or bag so your baby can interact with it and play with it. You can also put a toy in the box or bag so your baby can play with that while they are taking the soother. This will help your baby get used to the feeling of the soother in their mouth and make it less scary for them.

Once your baby gets used to the soother again, you can throw out the toy or take the soother out of the box or bag. This will also help your baby transition to not needing the soother as often and getting used to breastfeeding again.

Conclusion

Babies can’t communicate what they need. Once they are old enough, they won’t tell you they are hungry and are ready to eat. This is why it is important to know teach baby to take pacifier. Above are best tips that will teach baby to take pacifier and get used to the pacifier so they can sleep better and be more relaxed.

If you have tried all of these tips and tricks, don’t give up. Keep trying different things until you find what works best for your baby. Babies are unique, and they all have different personalities, likes, and dislikes. This is why it will take some time to figure out how to get your baby to take a pacifier. With little help and support, you will be able to manage fussy times easily.