LiL BiT
09-26-2007, 05:34 PM
(HealthDay News) -- A pacifier helps comfort young babies by satisfying their natural sucking reflex. But as babies mature and their teeth begin to grow, a pacifier can damage teeth.
The Swedish Medical Center offers these suggestions for weaning your baby off of a pacifier:
Try reducing access time to a pacifier to only night time and nap time, then gradually work the infant up to sleeping without it.
Have your child trade a pacifier for a game, book or toy that is more enjoyable and productive.
Have the child spend time with other toddlers who no longer use a pacifier.
Explain that pacifiers that are used when you are a baby, and one isn't needed now that he or she is older.
Reward the child for time spent without a pacifier, with things like stickers, gold stars or a stuffed animal.
Be patient and offer lots of reassurance, but don't give up on trying to break the habit.
Offer lots of hugs.
The Swedish Medical Center offers these suggestions for weaning your baby off of a pacifier:
Try reducing access time to a pacifier to only night time and nap time, then gradually work the infant up to sleeping without it.
Have your child trade a pacifier for a game, book or toy that is more enjoyable and productive.
Have the child spend time with other toddlers who no longer use a pacifier.
Explain that pacifiers that are used when you are a baby, and one isn't needed now that he or she is older.
Reward the child for time spent without a pacifier, with things like stickers, gold stars or a stuffed animal.
Be patient and offer lots of reassurance, but don't give up on trying to break the habit.
Offer lots of hugs.