Tips To Wean Your Toddler From A Pacifier
Babies love to suck on pacifiers. They’re comforted and soothed by them. Millions of new parents will attest to the calming effect that a “paci” can have on a fussy infant. However, at some point, your baby will need to weaned from it. Otherwise, constant reliance on it can lead to a number of problems, including poor teeth alignment and slow development of communication skills. Many pediatricians also attribute middle ear infections to pacifiers.
Below, we’ll provide 4 quick tips for weaning your baby from her “paci.” It may seem difficult in the beginning; her first tantrum while you’re shopping at your local mall will have you scrambling for it. But, with diligence and plenty of loving care, you’ll help her break the habit.
Tip #1: Reduce Her Dependency Slowly
Most babies won’t respond well to having their pacifiers taken from them “cold turkey.” Instead, start slow. Give it to her only when you’re putting her down for naps or to sleep at night. When she grows accustomed to having limited access to it, stop giving it to her during her naps. Eventually, stop providing her “paci” at night. She may put up a fuss at each stage, but it will subside. After several days, she’ll likely forget about it.
Tip #2: Give Her A Substitute
Infants grow attached to their pacifiers mostly because of repetitive action. It’s always there for them. You can wean her from it by providing her with a favorite toy in its place. She may become fussy at first, but over time, she’ll come to expect her toy as a worthwhile substitute.
Tip #3: Make A Hole
Make a tiny hole in the bottom of your baby’s pacifier. When she uses it, the balloon-shaped portion will deflate. This won’t cause any discomfort for her, but it will make the “paci” less gratifying. Eventually, she’ll lose interest in it.
Tip #4: Be Consistent
This is the most important tip. Parents will often give in to their baby’s crying; rather than staying the course and remaining resolute during the weaning process, they surrender to their toddler’s wails. If you provide her “paci,” you will undo the effort you’ve invested in order to wean her from it. It sends a confusing message and she’ll learn that you will likely concede if she cries.
Be consistent. Expect her to put up a fuss and prepare to respond by showing her tenderness, love, and affection. Her dependency on her “paci” will diminish quickly as long as you’re willing to stand your ground. Within a few weeks, you’ll look back and be glad you used a bit of “tough love” to wean her from it.
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