How do I get my 8 week old to take a pacifier?

Question

She will bew nursing but then violently move her head around. I think she just wants to suck and gets mad that milk comes out. She won't take a pacifier, she'll only suck on my pinky finger. Are there any pacifiers that resemble a pinky, if not how do i get her to take pacifier?

Answer 1

You really don't want to put sugar or honey on the pacifier. Honey could cause an allergic reaction, and sugar...well, you don't want your child to get dependent on that to soothe them. I don't recommend placing anything on the pacifier.

The soothie may work if you really want to go that route.

Pediatricians think that some baby's have a need for non-feeding sucking. But, 8 weeks may be too young or too late to introduce a pacifier as it may cause nipple confusion. You probably should have started this immediately after birth, and you may be able to introduce it later without problems.

The best option (IMO):
Guide your baby's fist close to her mouth when she shows evidence of wanting to suck. It is actually best that she suck her fist or palm so as not to get into the habit of thumb sucking, PLUS she can self-pacify without you having to worry about keeping up with a pacifier. She will grow out of this MUCH quicker than she would a pacifier or her thumb.

Oh, and if she does suck her thumb...it will not mess up her teeth (and neither does a pacifier). Unless she is sucking her thumb or binky when she is growing her permanent teeth in. Baby teeth fall out... So, if she is not sucking her thumb or binky when that starts to happen her perm. teeth will look just as normal as everyone else's.

Good luck!!

P.S. A baby's mouth is VERY sensitive. Be careful when trying to introduce a pacifier. They can make it sore.

Answer 2

Try putting some of your breast milk on the end of the pacifier so she gets the taste. That might help some and if not there are those pacifiers that some hospitals give that are blue. They have some at wal mart, they dont have any plastic on them they are all rubbery and you can even stick your finger in it while the baby sucks on it so that might help. My friends daughter was breastfed and that was the only pacifier she would take.

Answer 3

All you can do is try putting the pacifier in her mouth and hold it there with a little light pressure for a few moments. She may just be having a hard time latching onto the pacifier long enough to keep it in. Some babies just don't like them, though, and in that case, there is not a lot you can do.
Also, sometimes baby doesn't like the pacifier's taste. Put a little sugar water or breast milk on it and see if she takes it.

Answer 4

I waited 7 weeks before I gave my 3rd child a pacifier. She never took it. I tried every one that I could find. I was told there was a window from like 2-4 weeks you have to introduce one, and also a bottle, or they will probably never take either one. I nursed until I had to go back to work, but I missed that window and she was very unhappy until she finally found her thumb. Then all was well after that. Maybe you could see if you could get her to suck on one of her own fingers. With my 4th one, I made sure I did not pass that window up. Good luck!!

Answer 5

Well, if your baby won't take a pacifier, consider it just one more bad habit that you won't have to break her from when she's older. As far as the person who suggested to put a dab of honey on the paci, DO NOT do this. Honey can be very life threatening to a baby until they are older. Something having to do with some sort of bacteria or whatever in it that makes them really sick! My stepson's doctor told us when he was a baby that you NEVER dip the pacifier into anything, especially something that has sugar in it because of the harmful effects it can have on their gums and future teeth, like bottle rot or cavities.

Answer 6

Why does she have to have a pacifier? My baby was restless when she was around same age and only chewed on it for 1-2 days then got over it. She was not started on a pacifier at birth and we never pushed it. All it will do is mess up her teeth and create a habit to break. I wouldn't force it on her.

Answer 7

Try using the soothie pacifers, they are at Target or you can order them online too. My daughter using the soothie and she likes it. They are different than other pacifiers. And it is an added bonus that they are all one piece.(less of a choking hazard)
Also you baby might not know "how" to suck on a pacifier, you will probably have to hold it in her mouth at first. Just until she gets used to it. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

Just keep putting it in there mouth...trust me, my 2 daughters had pacifiers and I hated it but now my son wouldn't take a pacifier he used his thumb and I let him, well now I am having a huge problem with it. His thumb is so infected and there is not much I can do, cause it is always there. Push the pacifier as much as you can!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Try lots of different pacifiers. My friends daughter prefers a brand that have little raised ridge type bumps on the nipple. . .it's supposed to feel more natural (I wish I could remember the name but I know she gets them at Walmart) But, some kids never take to one. My mom said I never did. Good luck.

Also in response to another persons answer NEVER give an infant Honey. It causes food poisoning in infants.

Answer 10

If you're nursing you won't want to give her a pacifier. That will only cause nipple confusion and make nursing more difficult. Sometimes babies only want to suck, it's called non-nutritive nursing and is completely normal.