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Infants are born desirous to suck. Some even suck their thumb or fingers earlier than they’re born. It is a pure behaviour that permits them to feed and develop. It’s additionally comforting and helps infants settle.
In case your child appears to need to suck in between feedings, a pacifier might help. Nevertheless it ought to by no means be used as an alternative of feeding, and it ought to by no means be used with out the additional consolation and cuddling a guardian can present.
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Table of Contents
What are some great benefits of utilizing a pacifier?
- You’ll be able to management using a pacifier nevertheless it’s tougher to manage thumb sucking. When it’s time to cease utilizing a pacifier, you’ll be able to throw it away. You’ll be able to’t throw away a thumb!
- A number of research recommend that utilizing a pacifier throughout the first yr of life decreases the chance of sudden toddler dying syndrome (SIDS).
Can there be issues with utilizing a pacifier?
- Utilizing a pacifier incorrectly can result in issues with breastfeeding, enamel (cavities and overbite), and presumably ear infections.
- Home made pacifiers, sweetened pacifiers or pacifiers tied round a child’s neck are NOT SAFE and will result in harm or dying. For those who select to make use of a pacifier in your child, use it properly and safely.
The Do’s and Don’ts of pacifiers
- It’s finest to not begin utilizing a pacifier till breastfeeding goes effectively. Discuss to your physician or lactation specialist in the event you really feel your child wants to make use of one at this early stage. One exception is for untimely or sick infants within the hospital who can profit from utilizing one for consolation.
- All the time see in case your child is hungry, drained or bored earlier than giving him a pacifier. Strive fixing these items first.
- Sterilize the pacifier by placing it in boiling water for five minutes earlier than the primary use. Ensure that it’s fully cooled down earlier than giving it to your child. Maintain it clear by washing it with sizzling, soapy water after every use. Don’t “clean” the pacifier by sucking on it your self as a result of it might probably unfold germs from you to your little one.
- All the time test for cracks or tears earlier than giving a pacifier to your child. Don’t give your child a pacifier proper after giving medication (like a ache reliever, antibiotics or nutritional vitamins), as a result of a few of these medicines could cause the fabric within the pacifier to interrupt down. If there are cracks or tears, throw it out.
- Substitute the pacifier each two months.
- By no means dip the pacifier in sugar or honey. This can damage your child’s enamel. Honey can result in botulism, which is a kind of meals poisoning.
- By no means tie a pacifier round your child’s neck. This will trigger strangulation and dying. As an alternative, you should use clips with quick ribbons hooked up to them. They’re accessible the place you purchase pacifiers and are secure to make use of.
- By no means make your individual pacifier out of bottle nipples, caps or different supplies. These could cause choking and dying.
- Don’t let your older little one crawl or stroll round with a pacifier.
- Use the pacifier solely when your little one wants consolation. Utilizing all of it day lengthy can have an effect on your little one’s means to be taught to speak and might trigger issues with enamel.
- By no means let your child or little one chew on a pacifier. It might break down and trigger choking and dying.
Listed below are some ideas to assist your little one cease utilizing a pacifier:
- Restrict the time you permit your little one to make use of a pacifier. Use it just for sleep time and luxury. Plan to offer it up by 4 years of age to forestall dental issues. That is additionally the age that almost all youngsters begin college and have to develop different coping methods.
- By no means use punishment or humiliation to pressure your little one to surrender utilizing a pacifier.
- Embrace your little one by asking him to throw it away or depart it beneath the pillow for the “soother fairy.” That is particularly useful in case your little one is older.
- Begin a reward chart to mark your little one’s progress.
- Reward your little one when she provides up the pacifier. Inform her you might be proud that she is rising up and provides her a lot of hugs and cuddles.
- Enable your little one to specific his emotions. If he’s upset or indignant, give him particular cuddles to assist him cope.
- In case your little one asks for the pacifier once more (and she or he in all probability will), don’t give in. Remind her that the pacifier is gone and that she is grown up now.