How To Get Baby To Take Pacifier: Short-cut To Comforting Your Baby

You will notice parents carrying their babies around with a pacifier in their mouth. They seem composed and comfortable, gawking around the world, taking in everything they can. Or you will find a parent giving their baby a pacifier the moment they start getting fuzzy.

However, that is not exactly how things work out. Getting your baby to take a pacifier is not as simple as it seems. It takes them time to get used to it. So, if your baby keeps spitting out pacifier, it is natural that you will think of how to get baby to take pacifier. Let’s check how.

Benefits of Using a Pacifier

It is widely believed that pacifiers keep a baby calm. Well, it is true in some cases, and in some, it does not work. However, here are some of the scientific benefits of using a pacifier.

Pacifiers Distract & Soothe the Baby

A pacifier might turn out to be helpful if you are trying to extend the time between two feedings by a few minutes. This is going to buy you some time. This is also known to keep a baby calm during bedtime and when they are in pain it keeps them distracted.

They Sleep Longer & Better

Some babies like to suck on something even when they are not hungry. They do it by habit. Some older babies demand it during nighttime. This is when a pacifier might come in handy. Since they are not hungry, this will help them sleep for longer hours.

It Reduces the Risk of SIDS

This is a controversial topic. 2005 research found that using a pacifier reduces the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome. Another study done in 2017 has found no such evidence.

However, even after this controversy, some experts wrote in an article in 2020, that controlled case studies have shown a reduction in the risk of SIDS, so they recommend using pacifiers.

Helps When You Are Traveling By Air

When you are traveling by flight, it is equally uncomfortable for the babies. And they cannot even flex their jaws to release the pressure. So, if you know how to get baby to take pacifier, it might be of great help. It will ease their discomfort.

Choosing The Right Pacifier

When thinking of how to get baby to take pacifier, you also have to consider the kind of pacifier you are giving them. So, when you are choosing one for your little one, there are a few things that you have to consider, getting them the best pacifier.

Regular Vs Orthodontic Pacifiers

Regular pacifiers have a round shape and go with the original design. Whereas orthodontic pacifiers come with a rounded top and a flat bottom. These are designed to copy the shape of the nipple.

Pacifier Size

Well, it is not one-size-fits-all. There are different kinds for different age groups. So, as your baby grows, the size of the pacifier should grow as well. Pick the right one depending on their age.

Silicon Vs Latex

Silicon is a firmer material than latex. However, you have to consider the fact that some babies are allergic to latex. So, you will be left with silicon. So, try to find out if your baby is allergic to any material then buy one for your baby.

One Piece

How to keep pacifier in baby’s mouth? Before learning that get one that you do not have to assemble. In some cases, the baby might pull it and break it in two. So, pick a pacifier, which is just one piece as a whole.

Easy to Clean

Get a pacifier which would be easy to clean. If you get a dishwasher-safe pacifier, you will be able to wash it easily.

When To Introduce a Pacifier To Your Baby?

If you are not breastfeeding your baby, you can start trying to get them to a pacifier from the beginning. However, if you are nursing, then you should wait till the baby is 3 to 4 weeks old, according to AAP (Americal Academy of Pediatrics.)

This is the time it takes to establish breastfeeding in most cases. This particular period is needed to make sure that a pacifier is going to come between you and your baby’s feeding relationship.

How To Get Baby To Take Pacifier?

It is time. It’s time to dive into how to get baby to take pacifier. Here are a few ways you can try and keep them interested.

Be patient

Baby keeps spitting out pacifier? Well, it is only natural that they would spit something which they have never known of. You would do the same. So, before you start wondering why won’t my baby take a pacifier, think about it from their perspective.

Give them time. It might not happen in the first few times. However, one day they might surprise you and refuse to let go of the binky.

Do It Just For Fun

Do not offer the pacifier as a solution when they are crying their heart out. It might get them more irritated. They might not find it comforting then. Instead, introduce it to them when they are calm and happy. That is when they are willing to try it and will check it curiously.

Offer After Feedings

Again, do not introduce it to them when they are hungry. This is going to make them even more restless. They need food at that time, and if you get them a piece of plastic, it will irritate them even more.

Do not try this often, or they will think of it as an unappetizing nipple. Try it after they are done eating. That is when they are not expecting food, and they are calm. This is when they will be willing to experiment.

Coat it in Formula or Breast Milk

If your baby is taking it out often, not knowing the purpose of it, then dip it in formula or breast milk. This will tempt them to keep it in their mouth. This is one of the best tricks to train them to take a binky.

Pretend To Breastfeed

If your baby loves milk, then it might be a little more difficult for you to hold on to a pacifier. To get them in the habit, you can just insert the pacifier in their mouth, the moment they are done eating.

If you make the transition quick, they will not have time to refuse it. It will be done before they can realize it. Moreover, you can just touch the other side of the cheek, like you do while breastfeeding. The moment they open their mouth, insert the pacifier and check their reaction.

Use Reverse Psychology

This is an age-old trick that parents have been using. Using reverse psychology on their kids and tricking them into believing it was their choice to do it.

If your baby refuses pacifier or spits out the pacifier, the next time they have the binky in their mouth, just tug it gently, so they think you are pulling it out. Most babies will show resistance to this, and suck on it and hold it tightly in their mouth.

When Should You Stop Using Pacifier? How to Wean?

A pacifier might help your baby sleep. However, they might get dependent on it, and it might get difficult for them to sleep without it. It is best to try to get rid of it when they reach 6 months.

After that, babies grow emotionally attached to certain objects. According to AAP, it is best to reduce the use of pacifiers, or there is a risk of getting an ear infection. However, there is no rule that you have to do it at that age.

If it is not causing any issues, you can keep using it and wean it for between 2 to 4 years. Here are some tips you can use to get rid of the pacifier.

Phase it Out

Slowly limit their use of pacifiers. Limit it to their bedtime, and slowly take it away from them during sleep time as well. In the beginning, it might disrupt their sleep schedule. So, you have to start a bedtime routine and try out different things to see which works.

Find Alternates

When your baby is crying, or looking for comfort, do not go to the binky directly. Try holding them, reading a story to them, or singing to them. See what calms them down.

Positive Reinforcement

Give them a treat or praise them when they do not choose the pacifier in times of distress. However, do not scold them or punish them when they are going for the pacifier.

Say Goodbye

Organize a special ceremony to say goodbye to their binky. And after that take it away and leave them with a reward. This works well for older kids.

Cold Turkey

This is one of the fastest methods but will involve a lot of protesting. Here, you will have to leave them alone and adjust themselves without their pacifiers. This works best for babies who are under 7 months of age.

Expert Tips for Using a Pacifier Safely

It might seem a good idea to give your baby a pacifier to comfort them, but there are some safety parameters that you have to consider.

• Choose silicone pacifiers: Get silicon pacifiers and not rubber ones. The rubber gets stuck, and you have to change it after a while. Moreover, they might have some chemical residue as well.
• Do not dip it in harmful objects: Do not dip the pacifiers in honey or any kind of syrups. This can cause botulism, which is a fatal disease. If you want to dip it, then dip it in formula or breast milk.
• Wash it daily: One of the studies shows that 80% of pacifiers have bacterial or yeast growth. Wash it with soap and water, and squeeze out the water with your clean hands.
• Do not hang it on their neck: Do not keep it close to them, like tie it on their hand, or the crib. This might cut off the blood circulation from their hand, and if it somehow gets wrapped around their neck, it might cause them to choke.
• Check the nipples: Keep a check on the nipples to make sure they are not torn, and there is no change of color on them.
• Check for ear infections: If your baby is getting frequent ear infections, your doctor might suggest you get rid of them. Sucking on the nipples too much can disturb the ear pressure and lead to infections.

Never Force It

Now that you know how to get baby to take pacifier, it is important that you also know that you should not force them to take it. There are a lot of benefits to taking a pacifier, but it is not a necessity. You can always find other ways to soothe them.

You just have to be creative and figure out a way to comfort your little ones when they are in distress. Look at the bright side, you do not have to go through the time when they have to give up on their binky. Let me tell you, it is no easy time.