This guide will help you understand why your baby cries when the pacifier falls out and why should you avoid using a pacifier as much as you can.
We are all aware of pacifiers. Many babies derive comfort from sucking on to these nursing tools and therefore cry as soon as they fall off. Since it gives a soothing effect and effectively calms down a crying baby, most parents do not give a second thought before passing one to a newborn. But this momentary calm is not right when a baby gets so used to it that he cannot stay without a pacifier.
So, learn more about the importance of pacifiers, as well as the ill-effects of using it too much for the baby.
Why and When are Pacifiers Required?
It is essential to understand that pacifiers are not bad, nor do they have harmful effects on the baby’s health. In fact, they are necessary during certain times when you need the baby distracted or calm. Here are a few instances where a pacifier can help a new mom.
- It keeps the baby to keep distracted during blood tests. As needles can be painful for a young one, pacifiers help keep them calm during their examinations and vaccinations.
- It also reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), although it is uncommon in the children between the ages of 0- 12 months, but pacifiers can help reduce the risk and chances of that.
- Every person has different bits of advice for a new mother, one amongst them is condemning pacifiers. However, a new mother needs to have some rest and peace. At these moments, a pacifier is a boon. Also, given in moderation, this sucking device is good for the baby.
- Newborns are prone to restlessness and short-spans of sleeping hours. These patterns make babies cranky and hamper their growth as well. Pacifiers can help the babies sleep longer and have a feeling of comfort and relaxation with this.
- Pacifiers also help to produce more saliva in the baby. The sucking helps activate the saliva glands of the baby.
Problems Connected to the Use of Pacifiers
Even as pacifiers are essential at times, they come with their share of cons.
Cons of Pacifiers-
- Using pacifiers all the time can make a baby dependent on it for comfort and relaxation.
- It can also lead to interference in breastfeeding, which is most important in babies’ development. This happens because a baby gets used to sucking the pacifier and develops a latching problem to their mother’s breasts.
- If your baby is used to suck on a pacifier when sleeping, he will be unable to fall asleep until he finds it. Also, the baby cries when the pacifier falls out, which hinders their sleeping pattern. Therefore, it is best to prevent your baby from forming a habit of using a pacifier to fall asleep.
- There is very much risk of middle ear infections. Continuous use of pacifiers can lead to ear infections as well.
- It also leads to many dental problems like slow growth of teeth and protruding teeth that might need braces when the baby grows up.
- Finally, it becomes a habit that is very hard for the baby to leave. Then, if the parents start to take the pacifier away, the babies begin to suck their thumbs for comfort.
What is the Right Time to Stop Using Pacifiers
Stopping the use of pacifiers differs for every baby. However, it is best if you stop giving these to the baby early on. Developing ear infections and dental infections continuously in early age impacts the baby’s health and growth in the long run. Therefore, as soon as the baby gets off the pacifier, it is better for them.
How can Parents Stop this Habit?
Prevention is better than cure. The most important thing is to try that your baby doesn’t get used to a pacifier. You can do this by limiting the use of the pacifier from a very early stage. However, if your baby is already addicted to sucking on it, you need to be patient to break the habit.
Be tolerant with your baby when you start taking away the pacifier as they will cry and scream for the comfort they lost. Also, don’t completely stop the use of a pacifier. It should be a gradual process for your baby.
Start by taking away the pacifier when you can quickly attend to the baby and soothe them. Then, start taking them away during nap time and close to the breastfeeding schedule. Not only would this help the baby find more comfort on the mother’s chest, but it would also help solve a poor latch. Finally, the most important thing is to be patient and not give up.
Dos and Don’ts of Pacifiers
- Don’t use a pacifier every time the baby cries. Try to figure out the reason for your baby’s irritation.
- Introduce a pacifier after the second month so that the baby can distinguish between the mother’s breast and a pacifier.
- Don’t force the baby to take the pacifiers. If they throw the pacifier away, try to calm them down without using one.
- Wash the pacifier with boiling water and keep it away from sugary things. You should always make sure the pacifier is clean and sanitized before the baby puts it in his/her mouth.
- Don’t use honey pacifiers or sugar supplements on the pacifiers as it can lead to cavities and tooth decay at a very early age.
- Replace the pacifiers regularly. Do not use the same pacifier for a very long time.
Try to indulge in activities with the baby that can exhaust him/her out and help him/her sleep without a pacifier– that is the best technique for getting rid of a pacifier.
Now that you know the reasons for why do a baby cries when the pacifier falls out, it’s time to take the necessary action to stop them from building a pacifier habit.
