A small child is not only the all-embracing joy and boundless happiness of parents, but also a lot of worries and troubles that take away almost all their free time. Feed, lay, take a walk, entertain, comfort - your head is spinning! Therefore, often, in order for the baby to give parents the opportunity to rest a little, they choose an ordinary pacifier, popularly called a dummy, as their "allies".
Days and months go by, the child is happy to pull the pacifier into his mouth day and night, throwing tantrums about her absence, and the mother finally understands: it's time to wean the child from the pacifier. But how can this be done if the kid actively protests against such a "bad" proposal? Indeed, he spent days and nights with her, and now they want to deprive him of such a sweet and pleasant friend.
And here the real war begins! Mom scolds the child, trying to wean the child from a dummy, and tells him terrible tales: they say, if he does not stop doing this, then the teeth will grow rare, like a wattle fence, and the terrible Barmaley will bite him by the nose. Yes, only the child “listens and eats”, or rather sucks, and is not going to end his friendship with the pacifier.
Moreover, he not only hides it under the pillow and in the stroller, but also "steals" the pacifier from other babies in the yard. Seeing this, moms grab their heads, but they still can't do anything!
So when is it necessary to wean a child from a dummy so that such problems do not arise? How to do it correctly? What mistakes should not be made in the weaning process, and what tricks, on the contrary, can help mothers on this difficult path? About this and much more in our today's article.
Why does nipple addiction occur?
First, let's see why the child is so attached to a simple dummy. The fact is that the sucking reflex is one of the main reflexes of the newborn, which is checked by pediatricians immediately after the baby is born. After all, it is in the sucking reflex that the baby's further ability to develop correctly and even eat well and with appetite lies!
Most babies satisfy him when they latch on to the breast, and therefore calmly do without a nipple. But the rest of the children cannot control the reflex and begin to behave restlessly, sucking everything that comes to hand into their mouths: the edge of a blanket, a toy, and even their own finger, thereby increasing the risk of contracting some nasty infection.
Which babies are most difficult to wean from the nipple?
It is impossible not to mention that category of children, weaning from the nipples is not only difficult - it is simply impossible! Let's take a closer look at them.
"Undernourished"
"Sosalschiki"
Let's say right away that there are few such children - somewhere around 2-3%. Their peculiarity is that they taste the world: they put a rattle in their mouth, then a bear's paw, then a piece of paper. This is not a whim, but a natural need that they satisfy.
Trauma Survivors
After a long illness, the baby can become very attached to the nipple. In difficult times, she calmed him down, so after solving "problems" she remains a true friend for him.
Is a pacifier harmful to a baby?
Some mothers are afraid that a baby who does not part with a dummy will face speech problems in the future, as it will not pronounce the letters correctly. Also, many of them assume that the child's teeth will grow crooked and ugly because of this.
What do doctors say about this?
They do not confirm the original theory, but they warn parents about something else: a child who is accustomed to a pacifier is not very interested in what is happening around him, and therefore can grow up to be a rather reserved person.
And doctors also say that a simple and harmless-looking dummy can really ruin a baby's bite. Therefore, the mother should wean the child not only from the nipple, but also from the desire to push fingers into his mouth and suck them (and this is sometimes much more difficult than fighting a pacifier).
When to start weaning?
Typically, many babies stop sucking on their own when they turn a year or two. However, you should not rejoice at this, because it is necessary to wean the baby from the nipple much earlier: from 3 months to a year.
Moreover, most children are completely ready to part with a dummy from 3 to 6 months of age, only mothers do not notice this. And, most importantly: during this period, weaning from the nipple is less traumatic for the child.
Therefore, if you notice that the child has ceased to be actively interested in the pacifier, having switched his attention to something more entertaining, but not harmful to his health, support his "decision" and hide the pacifier away.
Four methods of nipple rejection
Today, there are several effective ways to wean a baby from the nipple.
Smooth failure: for children up to 1-1.5 years old
Smooth abandonment involves getting rid of the pacifier in a few weeks.
According to this technique, it is necessary:
- do not take the pacifier with you outside;
- hide the pacifier away during the day;
- teach a child to drink from a favorite cup;
- to keep the child occupied with exciting games;
- put a favorite toy in the child's bed to make him feel protected;
- do not leave the room until the baby falls asleep.
After some time, after taking these measures, the baby will forget about his not so long ago beloved "friend".
Abrupt refusal: for children from 1.5 years and older
Abrupt rejection is a way to get rid of the nipple for babies who already understand their parents well.
For it to work, you must select one of the options:
- solemnly hand over a pacifier to a newborn baby. Since your child already realizes that he has become an "adult", then it will not be difficult for him to give his girlfriend to a lyalek who needs her more;
- send a pacifier on a long voyage: a small fish or a gray bunny need it so much! After all, only a nipple can protect them in a dark forest from Barmaley;
- throw the pacifier out the window or trash can. True, this option is not suitable for all children, but only for the most calm and flexible.
After the parting with the nipple takes place, it is necessary to give the child something very good, while making sure to notice that only independent children play with such valuable toys.
Cancellation in a week - is it possible?
Some moms share their stories on forums about how to wean a baby from a pacifier in just a week.
We cannot but tell you about this method. However, only practice will show how effective and applicable it is for you.
Scheme of actions:
- Give the baby a pacifier for 5 days 2 times less than usual (not 30 minutes, but 15, not an hour, but half an hour).
- For the next 2-3 days, offer the pacifier only at night. In this case, it is better to give it for a few minutes, and then replace it with a breast.
At the same time, do not "push" the dummy into the child's mouth just like that, but only when he really needs it.
STOPPI for kids from two years old
Modern medicine has come up with another effective way to wean from the nipple, which is simply called: "STOPPI" (STOPPI). This is a special orthodontic plate that must be given to the child in exchange for the pacifier.
Manufacturers claim that just a few weeks of using this plate can permanently wean the baby from the nipple (the use of "traditional" pacifiers during this period is not allowed).
A small disadvantage of "Stoppi" is that it can be purchased only in pharmacies, and it is suitable only for grown-up children (2 years or older).
All children are different, and therefore there is no single recipe for weaning a child from a pacifier. However, thanks to the observation of mothers and the experience of doctors, it is much easier to do this today than 50 years ago.
So, general advice on this matter would be:
Do not impose a pacifier if you don't need one
If from the first days of life your child feels wonderful and without a pacifier, does not pull a finger in his mouth and falls asleep well, you should not impose it on the baby at all.
Communication is the mother of weaning
If you will how to communicate with the baby during the day, demonstrating the beauty of the surrounding world and its features, he simply will not have time for friendship with the pacifier.
Drink - do not harm health
If you teach your child to drink from a mug at about six months, he will quickly master the swallowing reflex and lose the need for bottles and a nipple.
Bedtime Story - Problem Solving
If you tell your child fairy tales before bedtime, then by the year the dummy can be replaced with a whole series of fascinating stories.
Daytime games are so exciting!
If the child plays with cubes and pyramids during the day, he will not be distracted by simple sucking.
Out of sight, out of mind
If you yourself do not persistently offer the pacifier to the child and begin to remind of its existence, he may well forget about it in a couple of days.
What should not be done during the weaning process?
Some mothers make a lot of unforgivable mistakes on the way to getting rid of the nipple. So what shouldn't you do in the weaning process?
Spoil the pacifier
Under no circumstances should the nipple be cut. Imagine what would happen if the kid bites off a piece of this "chamomile"? It will either go into his stomach or cause a spasm in his throat.
Lubricate it with food compounds
Do not smear mustard on the nipple. Not every adult can endure this "nasty" mouth, what can we say about a small child! Plus, it is not entirely safe, since mustard causes swelling and spasm of the throat in children.
Also, under no circumstances should you smear a pacifier with syrup, since sweets not only spoil your teeth, but are also highly addictive.
Scream at baby
In no case should you yell at a baby if he urgently asks for a pacifier. The child does not understand why the mother is so angry with him and begins to be even more harmful.
Start weaning during illness
Finally, do not deprive your baby or start weaning from the nipple when he is sick or teething.
What to do in case of "relapse"?
When you get rid of the pacifier, be prepared for the fact that the child may be capricious for several days and again miss his "girlfriend". Perhaps he will even wake up at night and demand that she be returned "to her homeland."
If the whims continue for a very long time (more than 10 days), and you notice that the psychological state of the baby becomes restless, just buy the baby a new pacifier and after a while repeat the “weaning” procedure.
Do not be afraid that your child goes with a pacifier until retirement: almost all children by the age of 3 completely forget about the pacifier.
When is an emergency dummy rejection necessary?
Excessive nipple attachment
Sometimes it happens that an already quite adult baby does not let the pacifier out of his mouth: day and night he pisses it off and screams loudly if he suddenly loses a pacifier somewhere. In this case, an urgent response is necessary: \u200b\u200bdo not wait for the "suitable" period, it is better to start weaning right now.
So, how to act if time is lost, but you still need to do something?
Explain the situation
Tell your child what harm the nipple does to him: it spoils his teeth, interferes with talking, makes him drool ... Anything, just for the baby to understand you! Just do not scold him and do not laugh at him, pointing at the child with your finger.
"Lose" your dummy
Hide the pacifier. Yes, just like that - get out of sight and that's it. Get together on a visit to your grandmother, and leave her at home. The baby won't run after her through the forests and fields?
"Spoil" the nipple
Cut off most of the nipple (just don't cut all of it!). The baby, taking "lyalu" in his mouth, spits the pacifier in bewilderment: why did she become so full of holes? If the child begins to ask about what happened, explain: a big bear came from the forest, wanted to try a pacifier, but accidentally bit off.
Defects of hearing or speech
Also, do not wait for the moment when the baby will solemnly give the pacifier in your hand and refuse it if he has problems with hearing or with speech.
It is better to solve the problem once and for all, enduring a river of tears and a week of sleepless nights, than then reaping the fruits of your "compassionate" maternal labor.
Summing up
Weaning a baby from a nipple is that easy. At 1 year old, some babies find new interests for themselves without any problems and forget about the pacifier after a week or two, while others are still looking for a pacifier months later, throwing regular tantrums to their parents.
Therefore, the age at which you will wean a child from a pacifier is individual not only for each baby, but also for each family. Even cultural values \u200b\u200band traditions play a big role in this: if in Italy a four-year-old child with a pacifier in his mouth does not surprise anyone, then in Russia, in Russia, his mother will be looked askance at.
However, when thinking about how to wean a child from a dummy, you should remember: you should not be equal in this matter to the advice of neighbors and relatives. It is better to do everything so neatly and correctly so that the baby will abandon the nipple on his own and feel just amazing!
How to wean a child from a dummy is a question that could well be reformulated into "How to take away a child's favorite toy." However, some modern pediatricians, including the well-known doctor Komarovsky, believe that it is not worth weaning off the nipple either - when the baby gets tired of it, he will leave it himself. Is it really? And at what age does a child with a dummy look "not decently" infantile anymore?
A month, half a year and even a year, a baby with a dummy looks touching and natural. And what do you feel when you see, for example, a cute three-year-old girl - in high-heeled shoes and at the same time with a nipple in her mouth? Agree, the first thing that comes to mind - maybe the girl is not healthy? Where are her parents looking?
How and when to wean a child from a pacifier. And is it necessary at all?
Little kids - newborns and older kids - are very individual about pacifiers. Some get used to them instantly, others do not take in any - spit and literally turn up their nose. Some cannot live without a nipple, others need it only in case of extreme hysteria or insomnia. It is a lot of nerves for parents to wean some children from a dummy, while others absolutely calmly and “imperceptibly” experience the loss of their favorite “gadget”.
The first thing that parents need to understand about the use of pacifiers is that there are no standards, norms or deadlines that govern and indicate when you should give your baby a pacifier and when you should decisively take it away.
Many modern pediatricians believe that the negative attitude of parents, whose children have already gone through the six-month milestone, to pacifiers is too exaggerated.
It is scientifically proven that pacifiers do not in any way affect the baby's bite, do not slow down the development of his nervous system and do not interfere with digestion. In theory, a child can suck on a pacifier even before entering college - from a medical point of view, there is no harm in this.
Therefore, when mothers and fathers turn to pediatricians with the question of how to wean a child from a dummy, they usually justly evade the answer: they say, when you yourself think it is necessary, then wean it.
Dr. EO Komarovskiy: “As a rule, parents urgently begin to wean a child off a nipple not because they themselves decided so. But because someone has shamed them - they say, you already have a big child, but everyone walks with a dummy ... In fact, many years of experience as a pediatrician shows: the older the child, the easier it is to part with the nipple. "
There really is no reason to worry about how to wean a child off a dummy in a timely manner - not a single first grader has yet been noticed who would come to school with a dummy in his mouth. Sooner or later, everyone leaves her.
You can't argue against instincts
Let us repeat: when exactly the time has come to wean the child from the dummy, this is a purely personal matter of your family. But there is an age before which, in principle, it is not worth doing this - before 1 year. The fact is that newborns and babies under one year old have a highly developed sucking reflex - in fact, if you do not give them a nipple, they will suck their own finger or "hang" on your chest for days. At the age of up to a year, a dummy is more than appropriate - children with a nipple in their mouth quickly calm down, fall asleep easier and stronger, are less moody, etc. And all this precisely because with the help of a dummy they actively follow their instincts ...
The only important nuance is that a pacifier should not be offered to newborn babies who. The fact is that it is the sucking reflex and, accordingly, the frequent attachment of the baby to the breast, and is the most powerful stimulator in the process of establishing and developing lactation. And only when the mother finally realizes that she is producing adequate milk, the baby has enough of it and she has no problems with breastfeeding, she can, with a light heart, fill her baby's sucking reflex with a pacifier.
How to wean a baby from a pacifier ... for the coming sleep
If you are adamant in resolving the question of how to wean a child from a pacifier, then most likely you will face the problem of falling asleep - the baby will be capricious and refuse to sleep without a nipple. There are no recipes here, except for one thing - physical fatigue for the baby, and a charge of patience for you.
To completely suppress the habit of falling asleep with a nipple in a baby, 3-5 days are enough. But during this time, you should spend the day with your child as actively as possible, and especially the evening, take a walk before going to bed, then feed them satisfyingly and put them to bed. In other words, the baby's body must spend enough energy to be ready to fall asleep, regardless of external circumstances.
And so - for several days in a row. During which the habit of falling asleep, smacking the pacifier, will completely disappear.
Give it to good hands!
Judging by the numerous reviews of young parents on our forum, one of the most effective ways to wean a child from a dummy (and, in fact, from a favorite "toy") is to invite the child to give it to someone. The "script" works best with a younger brother or sister; with other familiar kids; and if there are no toddlers in the circle of friends-acquaintances, then the dummy can be presented to a squirrel with squirrels in the park or a cat with kittens, a raven with ravens, etc. - fantasize as much as you like!
Something like this: “You are already so big, but Aunt Natasha's daughter is very small, she has no nipple, so she cries all the time, from grief ... let's give her your pacifier - let her be happy, I agree ? ". Oddly enough, but children usually not only willingly agree to such "charity", but also do it with great pleasure ... And it may very well be that this is the most painless and "humane" approach to how to wean a child from a dummy, without giving him any stress.
Until the baby is ready to voluntarily give up the nipple, you will not be able to organize this "parting" without tears and hysterics.
However, a very important point: if your child is against the act of giving, in no case take the dummy from him by force, do not morally press, do not call him greedy, etc. It is very important that your staged “performance” of weaning your baby off the nipple does not turn into a real tragedy and drama for him. Any negative emotions should be avoided! If the child is categorically against parting with the nipple, it means that the time has not yet come. Just be patient.
By the way, there are a few more "not" -cautions associated with weaning a baby from the nipple.
How to properly wean a child from a dummy: the main "not"
- 1 Don't get angry or scold your baby for still sucking on the nipple. The baby is unlikely to consciously understand the cause of your screams and irritation, but instead will be very scared. Remember that children in many ways copy our own behavior and reactions: if you yourself every time scream and tantrum at the sight of a nipple, then your child will do the same. But if you are kind, gentle, calm and patient, then the child will be less emotionally worried about parting with his favorite pacifier.
- 2 Do not smear the pacifier with various unpleasant-tasting compounds., like mustard, levomycitin ointment and other bitter drugs. In addition to the fact that you deliberately deliver unpleasant experiences and resentment to your own baby, you can develop a persistent fear in him: after all, in the first year and a half of life, babies very actively learn the world precisely "on - they pull into their mouth everything that comes their way ... And just imagine: one of the things he was used to, which he used to take in his mouth without fear, suddenly became unbearably bitter - such stress can cause a certain fear in the child of other things familiar to him from the cradle.
- 3 Do not scare or frighten the child with "horror" about the fact that some negative incident can happen to him if he continues to suck the pacifier. Like “Babayka will come at night and take you to the dark forest!” ... Again, you deliberately expose the baby to stress, and this is definitely not worth doing if you are trying not only to wean your child from a dummy, but at the same time to maintain his emotional balance.
- 4 Don't shame your baby. Especially when comparing with other children. “Just look! Neighborhood Mitya has been walking without a pacifier for a long time, and you are still like little, right? Mitya will soon go to school, but you will stay - you will sit at home and suck a dummy ... ”. Whatever pedagogical experiments you are fond of, one thing must remain unchanged - you must be a source of positive emotions for the child, he must feel the most reliable support and support in you. Therefore, before trying to shame your baby about the dummy, try the "let's give it to a cat and kittens" trick.
- 5 Don't change tactics. Even if everything went wrong for you, and the child is throwing a tantrum after a tantrum about "losing" his pacifier, be decisive and persistent (but do not get angry!). If you have already taken the pacifier - do not try to give it back, breaking under the children's screams. Thus, you will clearly make it clear to your kid that one or two sonorous tantrums can "fork out" you for anything ... Do not give in!
Although sucking a pacifier does not pose any threat to the health and development of the baby, in the minds of most ordinary people a child aged 4-5-6 years with a pacifier in his mouth looks at least strange ... "Compassionate passers-by" can scold the mother of such a baby - they say , where are you looking? ... But in Europe and the West, there are no problems with this - no one would even think of paying attention to a child with a pacifier in his mouth, just think! ...
A dummy for some mothers at first is a lifesaver. However, after a while, parents become seriously concerned about how long the child will use the pacifier.
At what age and how to wean a baby from a pacifier, when it is necessary to wean it, and when it is necessary to wait, what should and should not be done during weaning from the nipple, in more detail in this article. Practical advice and advice for parents and more.
No mother will answer this question. After all, every child is unique and individual. Each child has its own characteristics of mental and emotional development. And only a mother, a mother who is with her baby most of all, a mother who understands her child from a half-look, such a mother will be able to recognize the best time to wean a baby from a dummy.
Neither grandmothers, nor neighbors, nor mothers from the yard can impose their position on the situation on you and your family. You make all the decisions about your child, and let them take care of their children.
Of course, you don't need to take advice with hostility. Listen to everyone, but make your own decision, weighing and evaluating all the pros and cons.
Do you know why a baby needs a pacifier?
The baby needs a pacifier to satisfy the sucking reflex. While still in his mother's tummy, the baby sucked his finger. Sucking helps the baby to calm down, helps to cope with stress, to feel protected and relaxed. Because of this, the child becomes addicted to the pacifier.
It is also worth distinguishing between breastfed and bottle-fed babies. Babies satisfy their sucking reflex by eating mother's milk. And if the child for his first six months was breastfed on demand, then his sucking reflex gradually fades away. He can safely do without a dummy (of course, there are exceptions everywhere). But babies who are bottle-fed take longer to show interest in the pacifier. They only eat from the bottle, and with the help of the nipple they calm down and fall asleep.
Cases when it is necessary to wean a child from a pacifier:
- If the baby is constantly sucking on the pacifier. Does not hold in the mouth, namely sucks.
- If your child has problems with speech or hearing.
- If a child at all.
Cases when you do not need to start weaning from a dummy:
- If the child is sick;
- If your child's teeth are teething;
- If you have moved or are about to move to another place;
- If you decide to potty train your child;
- In any stressful situations,
As for whether it is harmful to suck a pacifier, I will say this. The dummy will not affect the baby's permanent teeth in any way. The bite can be damaged if you constantly suck on a pacifier or a finger.
Consider several options for weaning a baby from a dummy.
How to wean a baby from a dummy or how to wean
There are two different ways. Let's take a closer look at each of them.
- Gradually
- Abruptly or quickly
Gradual weaning from a dummy. How? Where to start and what to do?
The very word “gradually” tells us that we need to wean from a dummy smoothly and slowly. At the same time, have a lot of patience and endurance.
You can start weaning in this way at about 6-9 months.
It's easy to wean. Did the kid start to act up?
Distract with a toy, for example, you can build turrets from cubes or build a wall from plastic cups, kids love to drill such structures. You can take it on handles, caress it, tell a funny rhyme. If not at all, then give a pacifier.
That is, the point of gradual weaning from the pacifier is to gradually reduce the time of using the pacifier. Now it's much more fun to play than sucking a nipple.
It should be remembered that if you want to wean your child from a pacifier, you will have to sacrifice your free time. If the child is crying, you need to distract, if it is capricious, hug or vilify in your arms. A baby needs a dummy to calm down. Perhaps he only knows this way. Show him other options. Help him. And after a while, the dummy will fade into the background.
If a baby drops a pacifier, keep it away from eyes. If very much asks, give.
What can help you gradually wean from a dummy?
- Teach your child to use a cup instead of the usual bottle.
- A child should learn about this world with his fingers. Play finger games with your baby, give him various toys in shape, size and structure.
- There is no need to offer a baby a dummy. If he asks, then give.
A sharp weaning from a dummy - how is it? What needs to be done and who is it for?
This type of weaning can be used for children from 1.5-3 years old. Children at this age already understand a lot and you can try to negotiate with them.
How to wean a baby from a pacifier using this method?
- You can limit the time you use the nipple to a minimum.
- You can play a fun game about goodbye to the nipple. Let the magic fairy fly after a while for a pacifier for a little girl, and bring your baby a gift.
- You can try to lose the pacifier and see how the child reacts. And then act on the basis of the situation.
- Think of a little kitten who is very bad without a pacifier (it's good that you saw such a kitten the day before). So, the kitten really needs a dummy, but he doesn't know where to get it. Maybe one kind boy (girl) will help him. After all, he / she no longer needs a dummy. Since he / she is such / such an adult and independent. Perhaps your child will regret the kitten and give him his pacifier. Only with the consent of the child, "give" the dummy to the kitten. And remember that this tale will have to be repeated every time your child looks for his dummy. A very important point. If the child has changed after 10-14 days without a nipple: sleep disturbed, nervousness appeared. Give the dummy to the baby.
Most often, a child needs a pacifier as a means of calming and. As you fall asleep, try gradually replacing the pacifier with your favorite soft toy. Let him initially sleep with both a pacifier and a toy. Don't leave the bedroom right away, stay close to your child.
You need all your free time to do something for the child, for example, read fairy tales, draw, walk in nature, build castles. This will make your baby less likely to remember his pacifier.
All these ways resemble the ways
And now about what should not be done during weaning from a dummy
- You cannot smear the nipple with anything bitter or sour, be it mustard or something else. First, the child may have allergies. Secondly, the child learns the world by licking and tasting various objects. And then one of these items (very beloved) suddenly changed its taste. Where is the guarantee that other familiar objects have not changed? It seems to me that there is no need to expose the baby to incomprehensible experiences once again.
- Do not grind the pacifier. After all, a particularly stubborn child can choke on a piece of it. Extra unjustified risk.
- You can't shout at a child.
- You can't tease a child. It will not help, rather, on the contrary, it can provoke a back reaction. The child may not part with the pacifier because of resentment.
- You can't cheat on a child.
- You can't scare.
And also ask yourself: "why does the dummy bother me?" And only after answering this question to yourself honestly, start weaning, if you are sure that your little man is ready for this mentally and physically.
If you think your baby still needs a dummy, do not listen to anyone else. If it's time to wean yourself from a dummy. Act according to your child's personality. And this article will help you. And may you succeed!
What methods have you used to wean the dummy? How old was your baby at the time of weaning? How did you manage? We are waiting for your comments, maybe your comment will help someone find the right way.
Weaning a baby from a pacifier is often a very difficult task. Parents get used to it so that the dummy saves from screaming, calms the baby, that they simply miss the time of painless rejection of the "bad" habit. And this period takes on the character of a turning point: an unconditioned reflex is reborn into a conditioned one, that is, all signs of addiction appear. Awareness of the parents' mistake comes late, after two years, and therefore the separation of the baby from the nipple becomes a difficult process.
Why does a child get used to a dummy a lot: we analyze all the pros and cons
Sucking is a normal little human instinct. Some toddlers suck their thumb, others love pacifiers. But parents often face the question: is the dummy safe, can it somehow harm the child?
The nipple has both advantages and disadvantages. We decided to look into this in more detail, and consulted a pediatrician. This is what the specialist told our correspondent.
Dummy benefits.
An indisputable plus is a way to calm your baby. With whims and excitement, it will relax and bring the long-awaited comfort to parents as well. The simplest example is that a child cannot sleep. The best way out is the nipple.
But there are more disadvantages of using a pacifier:
- early nipple training is fraught with problems with breastfeeding. It is better to wait until the baby learns to take the breast, and then give the pacifier;
- quick addiction, constant need for it. If the nipple falls out of the mouth at night, crying begins, as it becomes difficult for the baby to breathe;
- frequent use of a pacifier can lead to the development of middle ear infections;
- use after two years causes dental problems and leads to malocclusion.
Also, the pediatrician has compiled a detailed memo on what you need to know before you start using the pacifier.
- The benefits of a pacifier only last up to six months.
- Do not force the baby to take the pacifier. If she fell out, the baby does not ask her back, then you do not need to show your initiative and insist, giving it to the baby again and again.
- Do not go for the trick (add sugar to the pacifier) \u200b\u200bso that the baby begins to suck on it.
- It is necessary to keep the pacifiers clean and change them as often as possible.
- The choice is a responsible business. The best option is a nipple with protection and ventilation holes.
- A dummy is an extreme calming method. It's best to try something different before using it. Change position, shake the baby, quietly sing him a lullaby.
- Regular consultation with your doctor is advisable on when to stop using a pacifier.
- The optimal weaning time is from six months to one year.
This instruction is a visual aid that will help in many situations with the use of the nipple and make life easier for parents.
When should you start weaning your baby off the nipple?
Parents need to be careful to see signals that indicate the need to wean the baby from the nipple.
So, these signals include the following points:
- the baby does not part with the pacifier all day;
- the nipple becomes a priority over communication with peers, relatives, that is, because of it, social communication skills are not acquired;
- delay in speech development;
- age - more than three years;
- the child learned to use utensils - a plate and a mug. During this period, new aspects of life open up, new interests appear, therefore, the dummy fades into the background. The best period for weaning a baby from a nipple .
And, of course, the most optimal weaning age starts with six months. It is at this age that the innate sucking reflex fades away, and you just need to help the baby, gradually eliminating the pacifier.
These are all the signs parents should see. There will be very little left - to overcome the period of refusal from the nipple without harming the emotional and mental state of the baby.
Expert advice: how to quickly wean a baby from a nipple
There are many ways, from the simplest and most gentle to the most severe methods.
The pediatrician has advised using the following methods.
- Switching attention ... You will need an ordinary rubber toy, the child can play with it, and also chew instead of a nipple.
- Before going to bed, stroking , scratching, head massage, humming lullabies.
- Gradually cutting off the nipple ... Little by little, then more, and so on, until the nipple begins to fall out of the mouth. It is inconvenient to suck such a suck, therefore, there will be no pleasure from it either, the baby will throw out the pacifier himself.
These methods are good for children between one and a half years old.
Older, at the age of 2-3 years, children no longer buy such tricks. The history method is more appropriate here.
- A simple example. The bunny ate the pacifier and gave the baby a big thank you. You can show it spoiled by accompanying this scene with a similar story. The main thing is fantasy, honest eyes and a convincing voice.
- Another option is to go for a walk with the baby and give the pacifier to the kitten or puppy, again, telling a story. If you start demanding to return the item back, you can safely answer that the little one gave it to the suck. The main factor is voluntariness, the child himself must give, for this he must be praised.
There are many more methods, but these are the most effective. In any case, whichever method is chosen, you need to tune in only to win. Kids are sensitive when their parents give up and are ready to give up. Children can easily manipulate, so all that is needed is firmness in the decision to wean the child from the dummy!
Many mothers are happy to give the baby a dummy, considering it a useful accessory that helps to fall asleep quickly, stop being capricious and cry, and also get rid of gas cars. But it happens that the baby is so attached to the nipple that he does not want to be separated from her at an older age. When and why, and most importantly, how to wean a baby from sucking a pacifier?
Why is this needed?
It should be noted that the opinion about the negative impact of modern pacifiers on the development of the child, his digestion and bite has no medical confirmation.
But if a child walks with a dummy almost 24 hours a day, this is wrong. After watching Dr. Komarovsky's program, you will learn when children need to be given a pacifier.
Sucking a pacifier at any age can in no way harm a person's health. However, the psychological effect of sucking is noted - children with a dummy behave more withdrawn.
Usually, weaned off the pacifier in the following cases:
- If the baby sucks it almost all day.
- If the accessory interferes with the communication of the baby with peers.
- When a child has hearing or speech problems.
- When the baby is 3 years old.
At what age should you wean?
On the advice of psychologists, weaning from a dummy should begin at the age of 3-12 months, choosing the most favorable period for this. If the child has not given up the dummy by the age of one year, the next attempts at weaning are made at 1.5-2 years old, when it will already be possible to agree with the baby. However, there are no rules indicating when a baby needs to decisively abandon the nipple. Each case should be approached individually.
What can’t be done?
- Lubricate the pacifier with garlic, mustard or other unpleasant tasting food. Have pity on your baby's taste buds. In addition, it can be unsafe (there is a risk of developing allergies and throat swelling).
- Cut the nipple like a chamomile. If the baby accidentally bites off part of the pacifier, it can be dangerous if inhaled.
- Screaming at the baby if he wants his favorite pacifier. In this case, it is not very clear to the kid why mom was angry, which will turn into even greater whims for you.
- Take away the pacifier from the baby when he is sick or can hardly tolerate the appearance of new teeth.
- Scare the baby with any horrors that could happen if the baby does not refuse the nipple.
- Shame the child and compare with others.
Gradual failure
In order for the baby to give up sucking a pacifier without any problems, it is most often recommended to remove his attachment gradually. Mom will need:
- Spend more time with the baby, walk more, play with the baby, show something new and interesting so that the baby is carried away by new impressions and does not remember the nipple.
- Remove the pacifier from the baby's mouth after falling asleep.
- Hide the pacifier from children's eyes during the daytime and do not offer the accessory yourself, giving it only on demand, when the baby remembers the pacifier.
- Give a baby over 6 months old to drink not from a bottle, but from a cup.
- Closer to one year old, teach to fall asleep while reading a fairy tale without a dummy.
- Do not take the pacifier for a walk.
Quick failure
This method is usually used over the age of 1.5 years, when the child can understand the mother's explanations. The kid can be offered:
- Present a pacifier to a small child, for example, a younger brother or a newborn baby at a neighbor's. At the same time, tell that nipples are always passed on to younger children, emphasizing that the child has grown, and the baby needs a dummy more.
- Send to a fish, a bunny or another fairy-tale character. You can tell a fascinating tale of why the little animal needed a dummy.
- Exchange a dummy for another item. For example, instead of a pacifier, you can give a toy that such an independent and large child can play.
It is important to get the child's consent for any of these scenarios. Once you get rid of your pacifier in one of these ways, be prepared for a few days of whimsy. The baby may wake up at night and cry for a pacifier. If the whims do not stop in 10 days and the baby is inconsolable, do not torment the baby, but buy a new pacifier, leaving weaning for a later period. Most babies part with this accessory on their own by the age of 3.
E. Komarovsky's opinion
The famous doctor claims that there are no other ways to wean a baby from a dummy than pedagogical. Parents will have to distract their child and entertain the child. It is important that the whole family treats the weaning process in the same way. If you decide not to give a dummy, then do not agree with any cries and whims.
Having yielded once, the parents will give the child a signal that all problems can be solved by crying. It is also important that there is no situation when mom says “no” to a dummy, and grandmother or dad allows it.
Komarovsky claims that parting with a dummy is not capable of damaging the child's psyche. And if the child is capricious for several days during the weaning period, this will more affect not the baby, but the mother. He also admits that most often they begin to wean off a pacifier, not because this accessory interferes with a mother or baby, but because its use is condemned by others. In most cases, you should be patient and the baby will abandon the nipple on its own, since the sucking reflex fades over time.
For more details, see the program of Dr. Komarovsky.
Most often, parents who decide to separate the baby and the pacifier will have difficulty falling asleep. The best help for them will be the physical fatigue of the baby. The day should be spent as actively as possible, go for a walk before going to bed, buy a child, feed and put to bed. A child who has spent a lot of energy will fall asleep quickly even without his favorite nipple. A few such active days - and the baby will completely forget about falling asleep with a dummy.
