Did I create a bad habit this early?

TMarie415 · February 2012

Hi,

My LO is just 2 weeks old. I also have a 2 yr old son. It has been very difficult trying to spend quality time with my older son with a newborn. I have resorted to using a binky to keep my LO content while I am doing an art project or baking cookies with my older son. LO is very happy sitting in a bouncy seat sucking on the binky.

Everyday that passes, it seems like he is more and more "addicted" to the binky. He loves sucking on it and is now relying on it to fall asleep. I am up quite a few times a night replacing the binky that fell out of his mouth so he will sleep. (I know he isn;t hungry). It seems WAY too early for this to happen. Did I create a bad habit? I kow newborns like to suck on things...and how it is calming...but am I using the binky too much?

namara5532 · February 2012

I don't think a 2 week old can develop a bad habit. If you're really concerned about it, take the binky away. It make take a few days for him to adjust, but he likely doesn't yet have an emotional attachment to it. All he knows is that his instinctual desire to suck is being satisfied. Letting him suck on a binky to get to sleep is no different than someone else letting their LO nurse to sleep. 2 weeks old is too young to worry about training him how to sleep without sucking.

sunnyday016 · February 2012

A 2-week old can't develop a habit.

drkcrystl4@aol.com · February 2012

From what I've been told they really can't develop habits that early. At least not ones that will be that hard to break. But to me, using a pacifier isn't really any different than if they were able to suck on their thumb that early. And if he finds it soothing, I don't see a problem with it. That's why they make them.

avbliss · February 2012

What I was told by a friend who just got her DD off the binky at 2yo is that it's best to take the binky away between 5-6months. After 6 months they start to form an emotional attachment to the binky and it becomes a safety object instead of just a soothing object. DD2 uses a binky all day and falls asleep with it, but once it falls out she's okay and stays asleep. DD2 used to wake up when she lost the binky, but that stopped at around 3 weeks I believe. I have a 2yo as well so I know what youre going through. It's hard juggling babies needs and still give the toddler the attention they need. It's all a balancing act. Best thing I read was if they both need something at the same time, like a diaper change, tend to the toddler first even if the baby is crying. Crying for 5-10min won't harm the baby, and they won't remember you helped DS first, but DS will remember that baby got help first and that resentment can last. Ease into telling DS that baby needs you first. That has really helped us avoid a lot of the jealousy many parents with toddlers and newborns experience.

Lena122 · February 2012

I agree that your DS can't be addicted this early. That said, if it soothes him and gives you some free time than there's no need to take it away from him now. I just got a wubbanub pacifier (www.wubbanub.com) and used it for the first time last night. DS is still too young to hold onto it but when he's swaddled and his flailing arms can't knock it around it works great.

TMarie415 · February 2012

thanks for all the replies!!

Lena122- My 2 yr old has the monkey wubbanub and still uses only when he sleeps. That was the best thing I got for him! I am tempted to get another one for my LO. I have no idea how I am going to get my 2 yr old to bed without it.

frasey · February 2012

if youre concerned about making it a bad habit, could you try just not replacing it when it falls out once he's asleep?

LauraM18 · February 2012

My son uses his binky like that. It is the only way he will soothe. I was avoiding the thumb. If I take his paci away, he pops his thumb in there. I dont think your creating a bad habbit!

Sundrup23 · February 2012

I say use it. I have never had a problem transitioning my older kids to not use the binky when they got older.

I have always used the rule that when they turn 2...only at nap and bedtime. By the time they are three, I transition them off the binky all together. First at nap time...then at bedtime.

My middle son gave his binkies to Santa to give to other babies that needed them. My first son gave his binkies to the Easter Bunny.

If it give you some free time to spend with your older child, there is no harm in that. But I agree with PP...just don't replace it after it falls out at night. Luke will now self soothe when it falls out.

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