Two other benefits are that mom doesn't have to be the baby's human pacifier and that it is easier to teach the baby to fall asleep on its own if he uses a baby pacifier.
Last, as many babies suck on something anyway, a pacifier might be a good alternative, because they can be thrown away. It might be much harder to help the baby (or toddler when the day comes) to break the habit of sucking his thumb.
Babies need to suckle. Many babies have a strong urge to suckle especially during their first four months. After that the need decreases.
So, easy decision, go ahead and buy one. Put it in to the baby's mouth and... what, he spits it out?! Again and again...?
Look below for a few tips on how to make your baby accept the pacifier. Further down, you'll find some pacifier usage tips.
Don't introduce a pacifier until breastfeeding has started to work well if you plan to breastfeed your baby. To suck on a pacifier and to suckle are two different techniques, so the baby can get confused.
The general recommendation is to wait a month with the baby pacifier if you plan to breastfeed. I did that with my first baby. With my second baby, the breastfeeding went so well that I tried to introduce a baby pacifier when my newborn was less than two weeks old. It didn't work at all! None of my babies have been interested in a pacifier until they were 2.5 months old.
Even when the baby is old enough for a pacifier according to the recommendation, there is no guarantee that the baby is ready. It may work immediately, after some time or never. All kids are different.
So, which is the best pacifier? Well, the answer is that the best pacifier is the one that the baby likes!
There are all sorts of different pacifier styles and materials that you can offer your baby. He might not like the first one you choose. All my children have preferred pacifiers made of latex, rather than silicone. Don't know why.
It is very tempting to try the pacifier in some desperate situation when the baby is crying at the top of his lungs. Forget it! No one, baby or adult appreciates to get an unknown object shoved into his mouth when upset.
Le the baby get used to the pacifier when he is a little bit tired or show signs to want to suckle. But not when he is starving or too tired!
Wash the baby pacifier often in water. No soap. And don't use your own mouth to clean it; it won't get clean, just full of your germs. Instead, bring a small bottle of water when you go out. That's good for your own health too, especially if you breastfeed and need the extra fluid.
Make it a habit to grab the pacifier nipple and pull it now and then to make sure that it's still whole. This is particularly important when your baby has got his first teeth.
If you plan to carry your baby in a baby carrier or a sling, a pacifier clip can be very practical. This is true also when the baby gets old enough to grab things and through them away.
If you don't want your baby to become very dependent on the pacifier when asleep, make it a habit to pull the pacifier out slowly after 10 minutes or so when the baby is asleep. That way he won't get used to sleeping with something in his mouth.
It can be very tempting to use the pacifier too much in my view. A lot of moms habitually put in the pacifier as soon as the baby makes a sound or even when the baby appears to be completely happy. That way, you really create dependence for your child. Try to avoid it!
Babies are so pretty. A baby pacifier doesn’t exactly make them prettier, but why not have some fun if your little darling is going to cover a fourth of his face with plastic for a year or two.
In addition to pacifiers for everyday use, buy one or two for festive occasions. Designer logos, one that matches the baby's dress or whatever. Pacifiers with your baby's name is also both fun and can be very convenient if you have more than one child o rat the daycare center.
Two other benefits are that mom doesn't have to be the baby's human pacifier and that it is easier to teach the baby to fall asleep on its own if he uses a baby pacifier.
