Pacifier dilemma?

Question

Ok..here's the thing... My 5 1/2 mo. old little sweetie is very dependent on her pacifier. She needs it to go to sleep and wakes up for it several times throughout the night. I think she "needs" it right now (because of teething and all), but waking up 20 times a night to stick it back in her mouth is getting old fast. I'm considering taking it away, but as soon as I pull it out of her mouth, her fingers go right in. I certainly don't want her to be a finger-sucker, so what should I do?

Answer 1

here's what we did

when baby is ready to go to bed, lay a receiving blanket on the floor, fold over one corner to about 10 inches in - lay baby so her head is about 1/2 way up over the folded corner (ie the blankie is even with her ears. Take her left arm with your left hand and hold it gently against her side - take your right hand and grab the right corner of the blanket and fold it securely over babies chest and tummie area, thereby fixing her left arm against her body. Tuck this corner under baby. Take her right arm with your right hand and do the same thing, wrapping the blankie securely around baby. The blankie should be fairly snug enough that baby can wiggle a bit, but not move her arms. This sounds cruel, but actually they like it. It's called swaddling and it's very secure for them.
At this point, the blankie should actually be covering her chin, and you can tuck the soother into her mouth and have it held in by the blankie. Lay her in the crib on her side - she should be old enough now that laying her on her tummy will work too. Trust me, she will be so relaxed by the swaddling that you should be able to grab a few extra hours of sleep without having to replace the soother.

Also important - when she wakes, simply go into the room without turning the light on, whisper "hi baby" or whatever so she hears your voice, feel around for the soother and pop it back in her mouth. Do not pick her up - she only needs the reasurance that you have been there. Of course if she's hungry feed her, wet, change her or unswaddled, reswaddle her.....

blessings

Answer 2

Hold out. Shes still young enough to have the strong sucking desire. She is SOOO close to being able to put it back in her own mouth, so hang in there! Once she gets that down, it will be so much easier on you. Pediatricians and docs recommend that they have a pacifier no later than age two, so you dont have to worry for a while yet. My daughter broke herself of her binky at 10 months, but I've heard that if you cut the nipple all the way off of the binky, they get frustrated and stop wanting it. Thats for when its time for it to go, of course. Good luck! They develop amazingly fast at this age, so one of these days, you're gonna wake up and she will know how to put her binky back in her mouth. Here's hopin that its sooner than later! Try playing with toys and such with her to get her coordination going.

PS: studies show that binky babies are at less risk for SIDS! shes still so little, I would let her keep that thing ;)

Answer 3

My son gave up his pacifier at 4 months old and started sucking his thumb. To me, it is SO much better than the pacifier. At least you wouldn't have to wake up so often in the middle of the night to give her her paci, she always has her fingers with her. My son is 2 now, and still sucks his thumb (only when he is extremely tired or when it is bed time). If it were me, I would take the paci away and let her have her fingers.

Answer 4

I have had both.. two were dependant on the pacifier another was a finger sucker.. they broke the habit fairly easily... keep both as an option for her.... It does neither of you any good to wake up that much...let her cry and soother herself back to sleep.. If you get her in the habit of having to have mom get her back to sleep she may become dependant on that..

Crossing my fingers you get a good nights sleep mom....

Answer 5

What I have read, the pacifier weaning is what you want to do(from a dental point of view). The finger weaning can happen at a later date, when her taste buds are more developed. You could put some of that nasty tasting stuff on her fingernails(there is stuff out there just to stop nail biting) don't know the name of the product. Pharmacist can guide you there.

Answer 6

Well, I would suggest taking the pacifier away because it will mess her teeth up. She will be mad for awhile but she will forget about it. If she is teething then you need to get her some teething rings or toys. Maybe have some teething medicine on hand for her at night. Good luck!

Answer 7

ok for the remark of passy inflicting Speech and enamel problems its whilst the youngster has it for YRS! i've got self belief after a million specific you will possibly desire to wean. Or as i'm gonna do whilst he gets enamel i'm taking it away he's 5 months and it enables with teething nevertheless no enamel. I observed the different day that NUK has 2 sorts of 6 month passy one that fits the NB one and the different is a crimson/orange latex one.(no longer sparkling) it looked diverse i'm uncertain yet i think of it replaced into walmart or wegmans i observed it at. try looking the NUK internet site or calling them GL

Answer 8

Let her figure out how to get the pacifier back in her mouth.

Answer 9

i know its a pain, but i would try to cope with her because of her teeth...you definately dont want her to suck her fingers, i agree...my daughter loved her bottle and pacifier, but as soon as she turned 1 i took both away from her and she went cold turkey...she did good and there was no problem

Answer 10

I wonder if there is a mitten pacifier, then when she goes to put her hand in her mouth, the pacifier goes in.