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Nicu = Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

A friend had a baby at 28 weeks and he was kept 4 months at St. Mary's. While he was there they would occasionally tape a pacifier in his mouth (very little tape) and then they would walk away (around the wall to another part of the unit).
I was wondering if it is bad parenting to do the same thing if he is in a swing (propped upright) and I am sitting next to him on the couch (so I can constantly watch him without holding the pacifer in). He wants the pacifker, not a bottle, but keeps popping it out and then screaming because he wants it. And i am talking about scotch tape, not duct tape, which easily comes off, pain-free.

2007-02-19 14:56:48 · 14 answers · asked by ♫Hope♫ 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting Newborn & Baby

okay, scotch tape was a wrong suggestion. I just wanted to emphasize that I wasn't talking about duct tape. Thanks everyone for your views on this. I do know he doesn't want the bottle (pedialite - doctor said to have him on this for a day or two) and he's not allowed to breastfeed at this time.

2007-02-19 15:34:39 · update #1

And you shouldn't assume I am watching tv or being lazy! I am working on my homework (I am a pre-vet student) with exams tomorrow.

2007-02-19 15:38:11 · update #2

14 answers

Oh dear, I feel for you trying to study and having a newborn! And you're obviously a good parent to even wonder whether or not this is okay. You've heard some strong feelings about the tape, so let me offer an alternative I saw when my twins were in the NICU: tape the pacifier to a rolled up Tshirt. If you search the web for Wubbanub pacifiers, you'll see the general idea. It's something sturdier than a pacifier, so it won't fall out as easily and you can prop it in with the baby. The big improvement over the tape-to-the-face, however, is that the kid can still get the pacifier out if he wants to. Another option is to tape the pacifier to a long plastic spoon. Does that silence the critics? From what you described, it sounds like you'd grow a third arm to hold the pacifier in, but until science makes that happen you're doing your best. Bravo.

2007-02-19 15:51:42 · answer #1 · answered by TxTwinMom 3 · 3 0

I'm afraid that I don't agree with "taping" a pacifier to a baby...even if it's convenient. If the baby likes their pacifier but it keeps plopping out, it may be too big for his little mouth. I would look for a smaller one. My son was born early and I had to go through about 5-6 different ones to find one that worked well. I think that nurses would probably only do that if they are over-whelmed with several babies...(my daughter works in NICU and has NEVER done anything like that.) However, if you are determined to tape it to your baby, I agree that you should use medical tape...it's made of paper and comes off much easier without as much pain and irritation as scotch tape would. But please, just tend to your little one when you are right there beside him on the couch. They are only little once and a month from now, he will be so different...they change so quickly....and you can't go back in time.
good luck and just remember....he is your little present from God...enjoy him!!! **smiles**

2007-02-19 23:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by teresar1975 2 · 1 0

As a respiratory therapist, I've done a fair amount of work in Nicu's. I've seen the nurses do what you're talking about, but not very often, and usually only when they're pretty busy. I'd have to recommend against using anything to hold the pacifier in your baby's mouth. Tape, right off, is not a good idea. It might come off pain free, but your baby has very sensitive skin, and the adhesives could cause a rash.
Next, although unlikely, holding the pacifier in the baby's mouth against his/her will could cause choking, especially if the baby needs to drool. Unlikely, mind you, but not worth the risk.
Finally (and this is my personal feeling, mind you), I think that, annoying as it is, it's better to sacrifice your time and energy to assure that extra level of personal contact and reassurance with your child. At this stage, you don't want to be teaching your baby independence. :) That will come some time later. Be there. Be close. I've have two sons, and I have been very active in their raising. I know it's tough, as nails, some times, but it's worth it.

2007-02-19 23:05:04 · answer #3 · answered by Brian Sparta 2 · 10 0

I don't know... Maybe the baby is hungry and you might not realize it because you just fed him.. Maybe he is just not getting enough to eat... I don't know if I would tape the pacifier to his mouth though.. Not saying that it's an awful thing for you to think of doing, because I have been there before, but at that time I didn't realize that my baby was still hungry.. Try it.. It might work

2007-02-19 23:07:25 · answer #4 · answered by Debbie B 3 · 0 0

Do not use tape. The NICU uses tape because they have machines that go off when the babies aren't breathing right and it is easier for them to know when something is wrong.

2007-02-19 23:33:14 · answer #5 · answered by cyntduran 2 · 0 0

The nurses did it in the NICU because they had more than one sick/premature baby to attend to. Taping a pacifier to a baby's mouth is not only lazy, it is neglecful. How can you tell that the baby is popping it out of it's mouth and then screaming because he wants it? Maybe he doesn't want the pacifier...maybe he wants to be held.

2007-02-19 23:07:49 · answer #6 · answered by LolaCorolla 7 · 2 1

As a mother there is no way I would ever tape my child's pacifier to his mouth. I just can not understand this and it makes me wonder what other people are thinking.

Please don't take this the wrong way I'm not saying you are a bad mother just that I could never do this to my child!!!

2007-02-19 23:08:31 · answer #7 · answered by leea 2 · 3 0

I personally think that's cruel. If he really wants it, he's going to have to learn how to keep it in eventually anyway. Taping it there won't teach him that. In the meantime, you should be a good mommy and tend to him, even leaving it out for a minute or so a couple times and letting him cry (as long as he's not getting too worked up) might even be a good idea, even though he's not doing it on purpose it, it still might help him learn in a way and try not to push it out.... or on the other hand, it might make him realize he doesn't need/want it (yay, no having to take it away when he's older!)

2007-02-19 23:05:23 · answer #8 · answered by Cyndi Storm 4 · 2 2

You should not use scotch tape. Medical tape would be better. I had to use this for my son when he came home. He was born at 29 weeks and I had to learn how to put a feeding tube in because he was still on it when he came home, and the tube had to be taped down to his cheek or he would pull it out.

2007-02-19 23:04:07 · answer #9 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1 1

No, in the pods, those babies are being monitored constantly, to see if their hearts are beating properly. They probably had heart monitors and respiration monitors on him all the time. You do not want to impede the baby's breathing in any way. Call one of her NICU nurses and see if she has a suggetion for her that will help to settle the baby down.

2007-02-19 23:09:03 · answer #10 · answered by The Y!ABut 6 · 3 0

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