6 tips for getting your baby to take a pacifier
If your baby isn't taking a pacifier, you might be ready to rip your hair out. You and your little one need some relief and an infant pacifier and pacifier wristband is a fabulous solution!
By Kelsey Martin
If your baby isn't taking a pacifier, you might be ready to rip your hair out. You and your little one need some relief and an infant pacifier is a fabulous solution! Our son was having trouble breastfeeding and the minute we introduced a pacifier he latched right away. We were so thankful he loved his newborn pacifier!
Unfortunately, not every baby takes to a pacifier right away. The first thing to do if your baby isn’t taking a pacifier is to try different shapes and sizes of pacifiers. Check out our previous blog post for more specifics on that!
Once you find the right pacifier, a pacifier accessory will help keep track of your baby’s pacifier. Some options include: Wubbanubs, pacifier clips and the Ingy Bingy Band. Although all options will work, we believe the Ingy Bingy Band is the safest and most cost-effective pacifier accessory for your baby.
When your baby’s pacifier keeps falling out they will probably get frustrated and refuse their pacifier even more. The Ingy Bingy Band is a pacifier wristband that helps your baby to self-soothe from as early as 4 months.
If your baby is still refusing their pacifier even with the help of this wonderful pacifier bracelet here are a few more tips to help you!
- Dip the pacifier in breast milk or formula: Your baby might not understand the sucking action of a pacifier. If milk is on the tip of the pacifier they might be able to mimic the sucking action of a nipple or bottle.
- Introduce it after a feeding: If your baby is already angry and crying, offering a pacifier they don’t want isn’t the best time to start trying. Your baby is most relaxed after a feeding so they may be more likely to take it when they are “milk drunk.”
- Inspect the nipple: If your baby used to take a pacifier, but is now refusing there might be a hole in the nipple which is preventing your baby from sucking properly.
- Shake or Tap the Pacifier after insertion: Babies like movement and vibration. This might help them associate the pacifier with positive stimulation and be more likely to take a pacifier.
- Make the pacifier warm: The breast is warm. Letting the pacifier sit in warm water for a few minutes may help your baby take a pacifier.
- Let someone else offer the pacifier: Sometimes if mom is the one who is offering the pacifier they might not want. Babies might associate mom with milk and comfort. Having your spouse or a friend or family member offer the pacifier might be the change you need to get that baby sucking on that pacifier!
Pacifiers truly are sanity savers. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart and these amazing inventions, along with the Ingy Bingy Band will make a huge difference in your first months as a mother. I hope these tips help you and your baby to rest easier!