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Babies: 0 - 3 Months
What are your pacifier "rules"?
My LC gave me the go-ahead on using a binky. I have been debating on it for the last week. Well, we're going to take the plunge if we need it. However, I want some clear-cut "rules" so that I don't end up with a binky-toting kindergartner. I also don't want to play the whole "game" of putting binky in the mouth every time it pops out at night. So, what do you ladies do?
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Re: What are your pacifier "rules"?
We give it to comfort DS between feedings since sometimes he just likes to suck. If it falls out once or twice I give it back but after that I just figure he's done with it. We don't use it at night. Our goal is only to use it for a few months since I REFUSE to have a toddler with a pacifier! I can't stand to see kids walking around, talking through a pacifier!
Noel - August 2010
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Well, since I am the mom, I can control when she gets the binky.
I guess you won't care if you have a toddler with a pacifier? Fine. But I do.
We give it to him to soothe him if needed. I'm not worried about him wanting it or not. I figure, its better to have him want a paci rather than a finger or thumb. At least I can take that away.
And I had no issues with DS1 and his paci. He willingly gave it up when we told him to choose between his paci and potty training (but that's a whole different story).
They don't play "games" at this stage. So if it falls out then it was an accident and I pop it back in if she continues to fuss.
I'm not worried about a kindergartner with a pacifier. There are ways to wean a kid of the paci after a while (cutting them, paci-fairy, etc.).
Umm no, I won't and don't care. A toddler with a pacifier isn't going to cause the world to stop turning. Some things really aren't worth the fight as time goes on.
Noel - August 2010
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I have 2, so we are VERY pro-nuk for sanity's sake.
) Actually, my only rule is no nuk at bed time. They have to put themselves to sleep then.
And actually, at 12 weeks, they just found their hands. They love sucking on their fingers way more than the nuk anyway.
No rules. DD had it whenever she wanted it up till 5.5 months. Then, she started spitting it out/dropping it but being unable to put it back in, so she was waking every hour from 4-8am. Thus, I took it away. No paci since then.
I plan on doing the same thing with DS: he can have it as long as it's helpful, not hindering his sleep.
this.
And lovely how you use the word 'control' when it comes to your child.
Babies don't play games either. If the pacifier falls out, and your baby is crying because it fell out, you should give it back.What else are you gonna do, let them cry?
Either don't introduce a pacifier, or do - and be ready to deal with a paci-dependent baby. It happens. Go with the flow imo
Habits don't start until 4 months. Once you hit that time, maybe only give the binky at night when LO is fussy and when it falls out, do not give it back (unless LO cries for it). We use it to only "pacify" him when he is exhausted or finished nursing and still wants to suck.
We use it because he is a thumb sucker and everyone says you can take away a binky, but not a thumb. I know what you mean about a kindergartener with a binky,... I taught one with a thumb sucking addiction. It was so gross and the kids made fun of him.
We don't have rules.
We offer it when we think he needs it, and I put it back in as many times as needed.
Honestly, I felt the same way about them before I was a mom. I laughed at those that had toddlers with them, and I vowed that my own child would never use one past the age of 1.
Ha. My daughter rarely used one until she was 1. Then, she developed a love for it. I have taken it away twice now and she will then suck her fingers. I would MUCH rather deal with paci weaning that finger/thumb sucking any day. I have discussed it with my pedi and will re-evaluate it when she turns three, but I am guessing that she will ditch in on her own before then.
Good luck.
Rules? What is it with people feeling the need to making their life more difficult than it needs to be?
If she cries, she gets the paci. I don't go into her room to replace it if she spits it out in bed because I'm far too lazy to be bothered with that. We took it away from DS a little after a year because we got tired of carting it with us everywhere. But these choices were to make our lives easier, not because we needed to be the paci police.