The pacifier

The pacifier helps with colic and warns to suck finger. The pacifier is a "blind" nipple( without a hole), attached to a plastic ring, which is pressed against the lips of the child. The child can vigorously suck, and the ring prevents him from completely pulling the nipple into his mouth.

used to be widely used as a dummy when a child suffered from colic or just cried a lot. But in the first half of the 20th century, when the need for cleanliness and proper habits was so emphasized, the dummies were considered unhygienic and harmful. However, in recent years, many parents have again believed in them, and doctors have begun recommending dummies in the treatment of colic and to prevent sucking fingers. But there are doctors and parents who still do not approve of the pacifier.

Parents and doctors notice that very few children who were given a pacifier in the first months begin to suck their fingers. On the other hand, very many children, who are accustomed to a pacifier, require it after a year, and some even up to three years. Some parents consider this habit to be as unpleasant as sucking fingers, and even worse. This is a matter of personal tastes. However, the pacifier has obvious advantages before sucking your fingers. Most of the children who started to suck their fingers in three months, continue to do this for up to two, and up to three years. They gradually cease to be between the ages of three and six. Very few continue after six years. On the contrary, many of those who used a pacifier empty it between three and six months, and most do it between one and two years. This is a big difference.

I have a theory explaining why a child is able to abandon a dummy sooner than from a finger. The sucking instinct is most strongly manifested until three or four months. But most children under three months can not put a finger in their mouth or keep it there. So when a child can finally do it, he has a huge unmet need. He missed a lot, and he needs to catch up. A child who is given a pacifier after a feeding can suck as much as she wants and satisfies her instinct in those months when the need is most powerful.

But if you are disgusted with the kind of nipple in the baby's mouth, do not give it, otherwise you will be annoyed and annoy the child. If you think that your child needs a pacifier and you are concerned only with the attitude of neighbors and relatives, tell neighbors that this is a very modern practice( or tell them that this is your child).

How to use a pacifier. If you use a pacifier as a remedy for colic, naturally, give it only in those hours when the child suffers from pain. In most cases, colic ceases by three months.

How to use a pacifier to prevent finger sucking? First of all, many children - about 50% - never suck their fingers or do it only occasionally and not for long. These children have nothing to prevent and there is no need to give them a pacifier( if they do not have any gases).On the other hand, you will have to decide on the basis of what the child is trying to do, not just what he is doing. If he tries to put a finger in his mouth after eating, and when he does it, he starts to suck, it makes sense to think about a pacifier-nipple.

At what age should I start? If the child in the first weeks or months is already accustomed to sucking a finger, there is a chance that he will give up the dummy. He used to enjoy the sensation not only in the mouth, but also in the finger. So if you are going to use a pacifier, start in the first weeks of life.

What time of day? It is logical to give a pacifier, when the child is looking for the mouth and trying to suck fingers, wrists, clothes and everything he reaches. In the first months the child basically sleeps;he is awake only just before and immediately after feeding;hence, this is the appropriate time. But if he does not sleep between feedings, I would give him a pacifier then. The idea is to give a pacifier in the first three months not occasionally, but as often as possible, so that he will satisfy his desire and then easily could refuse.

I think it's better to take a pacifier when the baby starts to doze, if he does not mind, or immediately after falling asleep. There are two reasons for this. A child who gets used to sleeping in a sleeping pacifier in his mouth wakes up and cries as soon as she drops out, demanding that she be returned. This can happen dozens of times a night - especially when a child who has slept before on his back, learns to turn over on his stomach - and will be a hard test for parents. Another reason why it is not desirable to teach a child to fall asleep with a pacifier in his mouth is that in a few months he will forget how to fall asleep without it, no matter how tired. This can delay the complete abandonment of a dummy or bottle with a pacifier for many months.

Otuchenie from a pacifier-pacifier. When does a child give up a dummy? Many mothers who used it report that between the ages of three and six months, children are showing an increasing reluctance to take a pacifier. Some even spit it out and do not take more into the mouth. And at this time a pacifier is very easy to eliminate forever. I advise parents who notice a drop in interest in the dummy, take advantage of this and to get rid of the pacifier if the child does not mind. I do not want to say that it needs to be removed on the first day, when the baby starts to suck it less. So quickly he will not outgrow his need. But I would follow him and begin to restrict gradually, at first to one, then to

at another time of the day, when he sucks a pacifier less. If it turns out that I hurried and the child is anxiously looking for a pacifier, I would return it to him for a day or two. On the other hand, do not hesitate when you can take advantage of his willingness.

Although most children are ready to give up the pacifier at three, four and five months of age, there are children who agree to this only in the second half of the first year, and those who refuse the second year, and finally very few cling topacifier and pacifier in the third year of life. If your child does not want to give up a dummy, should you insist? I think it is unreasonable to take her away by force, refuse to give or pretend that she is lost when he asks for a nipple. This will anger the child. In other words, a child should be helped to give up this habit, but you can not do it so that he suffers.

Precautions when using a pacifier. If a child grows up and you hesitate to show up with him in public places, if he sucks a pacifier, try to accustom him from the very beginning to the fact that a dummy is given only at home.

If your child is already accustomed to sucking a pacifier in a dream, by constantly losing it, put two or three nipples in his crib so that he can find them.

In any case, you must have a few dummies so that the child and you do not fuss if one breaks or is lost.

You must take care and one more precaution. When a child grows several teeth, he is able to tear off an old pacifier from a plastic ring and chew it into pieces. And these chunks easily choke. Therefore, as soon as the dummy becomes too soft or brittle, buy new ones.

Some pacifiers are too long for a newborn nipple. Such a dummy rests against the throat, and the baby chokes. If so, find the pacifier shorter.