Neither of my boys took to a pacifier, and so far Katelyn has been the same way. However, I really think she/we could benefit from her having one. There are times when it seems like she just wants to suckle, and therefore will use ME as a pacifier. Then there are the car rides when she screams her head off non-stop until we reach our destination, so we hardly ever leave the house because of this. So even though I initally thought I wanted to avoid them altogether again this time, I think a pacifier might help.
So. How do I get her to take one? We've tried the soothie, nuk, mam and another type. Is it just a matter of trying different ones and she'll take to one she likes right away? Or do we need to just keep offering her the same one over and over until she gets used to it? She'll play with it in her mouth for a little bit, biting and such before finally pushing it out. What should I do?
I just don't know, Jo. I didn't have paci kids-Anna couldn't keep one in, even though she liked it, and so from early on, we gave it up. I wouldn't have walked 5 steps from her and it would fall out of her mouth, and what is the use if you have to sit there and hold it in, you know? Kate liked it, but never slept with it-just used it during the day, really. It was good for when she was fussy and awake, which was pretty often, lol. I never offered her different kinds though. I just bought one and that is what we used. I think they were the nuk kind.
Do you think she is spitting it out because she doesn't like it or because she can't keep it in? Hmmm...I am just not sure. hopefully someone else with more paci experience will chime in. The crying in the car is just awful!! Good luck...
Thanks, Laura. I'm not sure, it seems to me that she doesn't like them and so spits them out. Or maybe she just doesn't know how, I don't know. You'd think she would just naturally take to it since she's pretty good about nursing, but nope. She doesn't actually suck on them, so I don't think it's a matter of not being able to keep it in. Again, just not liking them or not knowing what to do with it since it's not familiar.
Hmmm...well, it is totally different from your nip, so that makes sense, I guess. I am not sure how in the world you get a baby to love a paci!!
What if you tried getting her to take one at home for a while first, and expressed a bit of breastmilk onto it? i wonder if that would get her more interested, and maybe the taste would give her the indication to suck? IHNI-just a thought...
Or maybe a bait and switch? Like when she is about done nursing, or close to asleep at the breast or something, try and do the ole switcheroo to the paci?
Hey Jolynn, both of my kids were binky babies. Bryson still is, but not for much longer. They both used the soothie 0-3 months, neither of them ever cared to move up to the firmer ones. Hannah took it from day 1 but B was a bit tougher. I just offered it a lot and then he loved it. I thank the paci for their being fantastic sleepers and just in general very mellow. He's only had it at nap and nigh night time for a week or so now and is doing well, soon it will be all gone. Hannah was just over 2 when we took it away from her too and it was a little tough for a couple days then she never missed it. I hope you can find one that works for Katelyn.
I would try the bait and switch for a bit like Laura mentioned.
As far as what kinds I would maybe offer a certain kind only for a few days and if she is not taking to it maybe try another kind.
Bryce and Keegan have been my paci babies. And both took the Avent kind and took to them right away. I always offer them even in the hospital.
Owen (as in true Owen high maintence fashion) would not take one. I bought all sorts and at points was tempted to tape one over his mouth since he was such a cryee clingy baby. He was also a car screamer as you say Katelyn is, he finally outgrew that at some point between 6-9 months, I cannot remember exactly now. It was pure hell!! But the boys peditrician has 4 kiddos and he said one of his was the same but continued with it until he was around 18 months. Owen did end up sucking his thumb (and still does :eyeroll) but he was 5-6 months when he started doing that, hence probably the timing he stopped constantly screaming in the car since he could soothe himself.
i had to CONVINCE emily to take a paci - she definitely needed one.
she refused to take one from me no matter what kind i tried. but my mom came to visit one weekend and emily was fine with taking one from her and we never turned back.
itu what you are saying - emily just NEEDED one. and neither of my kids was hard to break from the habit, so i am not anti-paci at all.
Thank you, April and Erin! I'll try having somebody else work with her and see what that does for us.
Yeah, my avoidance of pacis has been due to fear of having to battle later, but it's reassuring to know that other kids have had no problems with breaking the habit.
